[ HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ]
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Pearl City's Michael Yamauchi-Yamate tried to elude the tackle of Campbell's Jonovan Ercanbrack last night. The Chargers won 33-6.
Chargers pass test
against Campbell
Pearl City made a strong statement last night to the rest of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West Conference with a 33-6 victory over host Campbell.
Jensen Cabanero threw three first-half touchdown passes as the Chargers (3-0, 2-0 Red West) grabbed a commanding 27-6 halftime lead. Cabanero went 12-for-18 and finished with 200 passing yards and four touchdowns.
"Our passing game worked well, but we've got a lot to work on," Pearl City coach Onosai Tanuvasa said. "We made too many mistakes and we were very fortunate to dodge a bullet. Campbell hit hard and had better athletes than us, but we hung in there and stuck to the game plan. Our receivers didn't do anything special; they did what they're supposed to do."
The Chargers, who moved up to the Red from the White Conference this year, struck early and often. Cabanero's quick-hitter to Royce Yuen went for 57 yards and set up the first score -- Cabanero to Yuen's 14-yard TD toss for a 7-0 lead.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Pearl City's Nathaniel Nasca caught the first touchdown pass of the evening behind Campbell's Christopher Ganigan last night.
The Sabers' only points of the night came on their first possession when quarterback Kenneth Amaral faded back and hit Isaac Laupola on a slant pattern for an 81-yard touchdown to make it 7-6. The six points were the first to be scored against Pearl City all year.
But it was all Chargers the rest of the way. Cabanero passed to Yuen for a 5-yard score and then hit Brandon Green from 14 yards out for a 20-6 lead with 4:56 left in the half. Campbell's bad punt snap and 46-yard loss by Laupola, the punter, led to Green's TD.
Nathaniel Nasca's fumble recovery in Campbell territory set up Green's score. Nasca also thwarted the Sabers' next possession, stepping in front of backup quarterback Brandon Tanigawa's downfield pass, picking it off and racing 40 yards down the right sideline for a 27-6 bulge.
"They (Pearl City) executed well and their passing game was average," Campbell coach Tumoana Kenessey said. "They ran basic patterns that we've seen all year. They did the fade, beat us and outjumped us for the ball."
The Sabers buckled down to hold the Chargers scoreless in the third quarter, but they also failed to mount any sustained drives. Running back Kealii Basham churned out some tough yards and first downs, but no game-breakers.
"Pearl City was really aggressive," Basham said. "They don't quit. They made the big plays and were feeding off of our mistakes. I'll eventually break one."
Campbell's second bad punt snap and ensuing 9-yard loss by Laupola set up the Chargers' last score --Cabanero's 18-yard strike to Keone Peiper in the right corner of the end zone.
"Last game (a win over Kaimuki), we threw a lot to one receiver (Green)," Cabanero said. "This game, we opened it up and threw to many of them. It all starts with the line giving me time to throw."
Pearl City 33, Campbell 6
At Campbell H.S. field
PC -- Royce Yuen 14 pass from Jensen Cabanero (Steven King kick)
Pearl City (3-0, 2-0) 7 20 0 6 -- 33 Campbell (0-3, 0-2) 6 0 0 0 -- 6
Camp -- Isaac Laupola 81 pass from Kenneth Amaral (kick failed)
PC -- Yuen 5 pass from Cabanero (King kick)
PC -- Brandon Green 14 pass from Cabanero (kick failed)
PC -- Nathaniel Nasca 40 interception return (King kick)
PC -- Keone Peiper 18 pass from Cabanero (kick failed)
Rushing -- Pearl City: Royal Kaua 9-49, Michael Yamauchi-Yamate 10-38, Travis Teixeira 2-6, Nasca 1-(-3), Chaston Bertola 1-(-7), Cabanero 5-(-15). Campbell: Kealii Basham 14-61, Anthony Shimizu 8-47, Brandon Tanigawa 2-7, Jorden Cadelinia 1-2, Christopher Daniels 1-(-2), Victor Cachuela 1-(-3), Laupola 5-(-51).
Passing -- Pearl City: Cabanero 12-18-1-200, Bertola 0-4-0-0. Campbell: Amaral 2-9-0-87, Tanigawa 3-8-1-22.
Receiving -- Pearl City: Yuen 3-66, Green 2-53, Nasca 2-42, Peiper 3-28, Dale Valledor 1-7, Yamauchi-Yamate 1-4. Campbell: Laupola 1-81, Cachuela 2-14, Basham 1-8, David Vaikune 1-6.
Junior varsity -- Pearl City 27, Campbell 20
