THIRD IN A SERIES

This is just not fair, really.

When it comes to luck, the big blue Warriors of Kamehameha know quite well: you make your own. After an August of intense training (four-a-days), they emerged as a dominant defense, but didn't have a playmaker at quarterback just yet.

By November, T.C. Campbell emerged as a dual threat with his legs and his arm. More importantly, all the nuances of coach David Stant's offensive package took hold. From the option out of pistol sets to unbalanced lines and power schemes featuring running back Ryan Ho, Kamehameha was tough to stop.

Then Campbell ran wild early against Leilehua in the semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships. The speedy senior had 65 yards on his first three option keepers, jolting a normally stingy Mule defense.

With a 7-0 lead, Kamehameha threatened again. With an empty backfield set on third and 10 at the Leilehua 25-yard line, Campbell appeared to be in pass-only mode. Or was he?

Leilehua responded with three down linemen and two linebackers in zone coverage. Deep threat Blaise Cuban lined up in the trips side at right, drawing the safety. That gave Campbell and left-side receiver Charley Bollig IV solo coverage against a cornerback sitting 10 yards deep.

The Mules got penetration with just three pass rushers, surprising Campbell, who scrambled toward the left sideline. Fearing another big run by the quarterback, a linebacker and defensive back converged. So did the corner covering Bollig, for just a second, and that was enough for Campbell to plant and loft a perfect spiral to his receiver.

The post-corner route was precise and Bollig hauled in the pass for a touchdown in the back of the end zone, beating his defender by five yards. That gave the Warriors a 14-point lead en route to a convincing 40-0 victory.

The Mules had so many weapons to face, it was almost unfair.