Even after reaching the state final in 2007 and '08—winning the title in '07—Leilehua had concerns about Kamehameha's defensive front this week.

The second-seeded Warriors (11-1) proved those concerns to be valid, sacking Andrew Manley six times in the first half en route to 40-0 rout of Leilehua last night in the Division I semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships at Aloha Stadium.

Under coach David Stant, Kamehameha reached the state final for the first time since 2004, when it won the state title. Leilehua, the third-place team from the Oahu Interscholastic Association, closed the season at 9-4.

While Ryan Ho (107 yards, one touchdown) and Kupono Park (two TDs) ran well behind Kamehameha's formidable offensive line, it was the D-line of Keko'o Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo, Beau Yap, Koa Ka'ai and Landon Aano that seized control of the game. Aano and Yap had two sacks each as the Warriors brought wave after wave of pressure on Manley, one of the state's top passers.

Manley finished with a season-low 120 passing yards and was shut out for the first time as Leilehua's quarterback. His best target, Kamana Akagi, was limited to six catches for 36 yards. Kamehameha's ace cornerbacks, Chaz Bajet and Walter Santiago, led a secondary that didn't allow a completion of more than 21 yards.

“;They brought pressure and their DBs had great coverage,”; Manley said. “;Their front four did a great job. They did everything we expected.”;

Manley was a tough study, but Kamehameha had three weeks to prepare.

“;He's like nobody we faced in the ILH,”; Yap said. “;He's been here three times. He knows the state tournament.”;

It was another productive night for Campbell, who also passed well in a key late-season win over Punahou. The senior was 16-for-23 for 217 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.

“;It was a well-called game by our coaching staff,”; said Campbell, who was not sacked. “;We expected a closer game, but that's what happens when you have the toughest defense in the state.”;

The Warriors opened the game with some deception and trickery, using Campbell on keepers—after fakes to “;fly”; receivers in motion before the snap—to freeze Leilehua's defense. He rambled for 40 yards on two carries, and Park capped the drive with a 15-yard burst up the middle to give Kamehameha a 7-0 lead with 11:08 to go in the first quarter.

Kamehameha's offense continued to move the ball through the first, but two fumbles at the Leilehua 7- and 20-yard lines derailed scoring opportunities. With Kamehameha's defense holding down the fort—five sacks of Manley to that point—the offense got another chance late in the half.

Campbell scrambled left and found Charley Bollig IV on a corner route for a 25-yard touchdown. That closed out a 12-play, 94-yard drive and gave Kamehameha a 14-0 lead with 2:49 left in the half.

With the exception of the final possession of the half, which ended as time expired, Leilehua's five series before halftime ended in punts. That included a series that began at the Kamehameha 34-yard line and moved forward after a late hit by the Warriors. A sack by Aano on third and 8 pushed Leilehua back to the 30, but before Tim Momiyama could attempt a 40-yard field goal, the Mules were whistled for delay of game and punted.

Leilehua mustered 21 yards of total offense by intermission. Kamehameha had 243 total yards by then, using Campbell's precision. He targeted nine receivers in the first half.

The Warriors hammered away in the trenches, with Ho carrying the ball to set up a 25-yard strike from Campbell to Bollig and an 18-yard touchdown catch on a post route by Blaise Cuban. Kamehameha led 20-0 with 6:49 to go in the third quarter.