'Iolani on verge of repeat in states
POSTED: Saturday, November 29, 2008
The running of Kellen Imada, the passing of Jarrett Arakawa and a stifling defense powered 'Iolani past Campbell 24-6 last night in the First Hawaiian Bank Division II football semifinals at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium.
Before getting hurt late in the first half, Imada rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns, and Arakawa went 16-for-27 for 141 yards as the Raiders took a 17-0 halftime lead en route to eliminating the Sabers.
With the victory, 'Iolani advanced to the D-II state final against Radford on Friday at Aloha Stadium. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu D-II champion Raiders will be trying for their third state title in the past four years and second in a row. They'll be favored after beating Campbell, which handled Radford on Nov. 7 for the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference championship.
The 'Iolani defense intercepted Campbell quarterback Lalo Respicio six times, including two each by Kela Marciel and Andrew Skalman, and hounded him all night long.
“;We've got one more (to play),”; Raiders coach Wendell Look said. “;I've said earlier that the defense has been carrying us all year long and creating opportunities for our offense. Tonight, we stopped a very explosive and potent Campbell offense. To pick off that quarterback six times is a real accomplishment.”;
On its first two possessions, 'Iolani went up 14-0 on Imada runs from 1 and 3 yards out.
Skalman tacked on a 22-yard field goal for the Raiders as time expired in the first half for a 17-0 bulge. Skalman also had three extra points and even downed a Sabers punt at the Campbell 1.
“;It was a team effort,”; Skalman said. “;We did the job and did what the coaches told us to do. They told us what to expect from Campbell. We came out on top with hard work and team defense.”;
The trademark speed of the Sabers was matched all night by the equally fast Raiders defense, which also stifled Campbell running back Brandon Ahuna and limited him to 25 yards rushing.
“;We were very concerned about No. 2 (Ahuna),”; Look said. “;We watched them (in the first round) against Kona, and our emphasis was to stop him.”;
Campbell didn't get on the board until early in the fourth quarter, when Respicio guided the Sabers 73 yards on 14 plays to make it 17-6. Respicio capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown run, but after a low snap, 'Iolani's Sean Nada blocked the extra-point try by Robert Regpala.
“;I got off to a slow start and our offense came out flat,”; Respicio said. “;They (the Raiders) had everything covered deep. Our defense did its thing as usual. We had good coaching and a new system and we came very far. Nobody expected us to go this far.”;
Odanaus Mataio had a sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery for the Sabers.
“;I wish we could have gone farther,”; Campbell coach Amosa Amosa said. “;But 'Iolani was the better team tonight.”;
At Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium
| Campbell (11-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | 6 |
| 'Iolani (10-3) | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | — | 24 |
Iol—Kellen Imada 1 run (Andrew Skalman kick)
Iol—Imada 3 run (Skalman kick)
Iol—FG Skalman 22
Camp—Lalo Respicio 1 run (kick failed)
Iol—Kela Marciel 10 run (Skalman kick)
RUSHING—Campbell: Respicio 7-29, Brandon Ahuna 12-25, Jumar Gonzales 1-9. 'Iolani: Imada 12-83, Ammon Baldomero 13-55, Marciel 5-14, Jarrett Arakawa 4-(-11).
PASSING—Campbell: Respicio 20-43-6-181. 'Iolani: Arakawa 16-27-0-141, Marciel 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Campbell: Arthur Aiwohi 9-106, Daniel Masifilo 3-17, Ahuna 3-17, Derrick Santiago 3-12, Robert Regpala 2-29. 'Iolani: Brandon Ball 4-50, Trevyn Tulonghari 4-21, Kevin Barayuga 2-22, Imada 2-12, Marciel 1-19, Baldomero 1-7, Travis Muraoka 1-6, Keenan Hoohuli 1-4.
