Kailua, Castle gain OIA final

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Farrington defensive back Jerome Crisostomo had perfect position on Castle receiver Ikaika Ho for this second-quarter interception in the OIA semifinals at Aloha Stadium. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Castle (7-4) will play Kailua for the championship on Friday. Farrington (6-5) will meet McKinley for third place on Nov. 16 at a site to be determined.

Castle managed only 160 yards of offense last night and had only three first downs through three quarters, but the Knights got a huge break when defensive end Soli Lefiti recovered a fumble and retuned it to the Governors' 15-yard line with 8:25 remaining in the game. On the next play, quarterback Jacob Ramos found Brandon Shimomura open on a corner route in the end zone and Shimomura hauled in the pass for a touchdown. Ethan Gonsalves' extra point made it 13-9.

"I was telling (Ramos) that I was open before, and finally on that play I was the primary receiver," said Shimomura, who said it was his first touchdown catch of the season. "(Ramos) read the corner(back) right — the corner came up."

Castle coach Nelson Maeda said Ramos' touchdown "was the best pass he threw all night."

On the ensuing possession, Farrington went 40 yards in 10 plays — all on the ground — but lost the ball on downs after being stopped on fourth-and-2 at the Knights' 39 with 2:52 left.

"They brought extra guys up front," Govs coach Randall Okimoto said. "We thought we could be successful running the ball, but we just didn't make the play."

Farrington still had two timeouts remaining, but Castle gained two first downs and ran out the clock.

"I'll take an ugly win over a pretty loss any time," Maeda said. "No one believed we would finish where we're at right now."

With their offense struggling mightily in the first half, the Knights especially did not look to be in position for a championship. The Governors took a 2-0 lead with 4:57 left in the first quarter when Ramos was sacked by Soge Puaauli in the end zone. It was one of three Farrington sacks in the half, and the Govs also came up with three interceptions in the first two quarters.

"They were playing a lot of 'Cover 3' and 'Cover 1,' and they were blitzing," Ramos said.

Castle finally scored on Kawika Sebay's 5-yard touchdown run with 20 seconds remaining in the half to go up 6-2. The extra point attempt was blocked.

Farrington took the lead back at 9-6 after Royce Machado's 19-yard touchdown pass to Alvin Faumui with 4:38 left in the third quarter. That play had been set up by yet another interception.

"Our offense really struggled," Maeda said. "Farrington played a great game, they tried to take away our speed by rushing four guys and showing maximum coverage. But Jacob persevered, he kept his composure and didn't get down on himself."

Said Ramos: "You just gotta have belief. I knew our defense would hold on."

The Governors' standout running back, Matt Bell, was held to 86 yards on 22 carries.

"We couldn't get the ball rolling like we have the past couple weeks," Okimoto said. "Castle just played better. They were stopping us on key drives."

For the Knights, who began the season with a loss to Leilehua and entered the playoffs at 4-4, it was just another example of finding a way to win.

"Our defense was outstanding, they were swarming to the ball," Maeda said. "Especially with the way our offense sputtered, we were running out of answers. But that's how it's been all season. We found some way to win."

FARRINGTON (6-5) 2 0 7 0— 9
CASTLE (7-4) 0 6 0 7—13

• Farr—Safety, Soge Puaauli tackled Jacob Ramos in end zone
• Cast—Kawika Sebay 5 run (kick blocked)
• Farr—Alvin Faumui 19 pass from Royce Machado (Smith Lafaele kick)
• Cast—Brandon Shimomura 15 pass from Ramos (Ethan Gonsalves kick)
• RUSHING—Farr: Matt Bell 22-86, Machado 6-(minus-12), Jostin Waialae 9-36. Cast: Louis Mansanas Jr. 4-17, Ramos 9-30, Sebay 10-34, Jared Suzui 1-(minus-1).

PASSING—Farr: Machado 8-17-1—83. Cast: Mansanas 1-3-1—32, Ramos 9-18-3—80.

RECEIVING—Farr: Dionte Nomaaea 3-34, Waialae 1-2, Bell 2-19, Faumui 1-19, Chris Feagaimaalii 1-9. Cast: Suzui 6-86, Sebay 2-5, Shimomura 2-21.