Farrington rips Leilehua, 41-8

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Farrington's Dionte Nomaaea is sandwiched by Leilehua's Edward Garma, left, and Yonni Perez after catching a pass. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It depends a lot on timing and rhythm," Okimoto said following the Governors', 41-8, O'ahu Interscholastic Association first-round playoff victory over Leilehua last night. "Sometimes it's just rolling, and sometimes it's stagnant. Thank goodness it was rolling tonight."

It sure was, to the entertainment of 2,145 at Aloha Stadium and a live statewide television audience.

Farrington (5-4) rolled up 142 yards in the first quarter and had 249 by halftime in building a 21-0 lead. The dominance continued in the second half, and the Govs finished with 416 yards compared to 169 for the Mules (4-5).

Leading Farrington's offensive charge, as usual, was junior tailback Matt Bell, who rushed for 145 yards by halftime and finished with 174 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries. Bell also caught four passes for 51 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown reception, and returned a punt 42 yards to set up a touchdown which helped give the Governors a 34-0 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Bell led the OIA Red Conference-East in rushing with 770 yards and nine touchdowns.

"He's been our workhorse all year," Okimoto said.

Farrington jumped out quickly, marching 87 yards in eight plays on its first possession, culminating in quarterback Royce Machado's 5-yard touchdown pass to Dionte Nomaaea. Machado connected with Bell on their touchdown pass later in the quarter to help make it 14-0. Offensive lineman Smith Lafaele recovered a Bell fumble and ran it in 10 yards to help put the Govs up 21-0 with 3:46 remaining in the half.

Their offense continued to roll in the second half, as Bell scored on an 8-yard touchdown run to make it 27-0 with 4:24 left in the third quarter. Machado's 34-yard touchdown pass to Nomaaea with 10:44 remaining in the game helped give Farrington a 34-0 lead.

Machado completed 10 of 14 passes without an interception for 136 yards and three touchdowns.

Machado had thrown nine interceptions in seven regular season games, but was on target last night.

Okimoto also gave credit to his defense, which held Leilehua to 83 yards rushing and shut the Mules out for 42 minutes.

"Our defensive coaches did a great job preparing them," Okimoto said. "We knew what they were going to do, so it was all about executing."

The Governors were eager to hit the field last night, after a bye last week forced them to watch their playoff hopes hinge on Castle's victory over Roosevelt.

"It's hard when you don't control your own destiny," Okimoto said. "But we felt real excited when we made it."

Farrington will play two-time defending state champion Kahuku (6-2) in next Thursday's semifinals.

FARRINGTON (5-4) 14 7 6 14 — 41
LEILEHUA (4-5) 0 0 0 8 — 8

• Farr—Dionte Nomaaea 5 pass from Royce Machado (Matt Bell kick)
• Farr—Bell 21 pass from Machado (Smith Lafaele kick)
• Farr—Lafaele 10 run (Lafaele kick)
• Farr—Bell 8 run (kick failed)
• Farr—Nomaaea 34 pass from Machado (Lafaele kick)
• Lei—Jon Sanborn 12 pass from Joshua Perez (Pio Malagaoma run)
• Farr—Mark Tajon 23 run (Lafaele kick)

RUSHING—Farrington: Bell 28-174, Samson Milo 1-2, Machado ,3-27 Jostin Waialae 4-12, Tajon 11-64, Eti Atonio 1-(minus 9), Smith Lafaela 0-10. Leilehua: P.J. San Nicolas 1-2, Jon Sanborn 11-45, Joshua Perez 8-(minus 28) , Cedric Thomas 7-61, Taulafo Fuiava 1-3.

PASSING—Farrington: Machado 10-14-0—136; Leilehua: Perez 7-13-1—86.

RECEIVING—Farrington: Alvin Faumui 1-5, Nomaaea 5-80, Bell 4-51; Leilehua: Dallas Pau'u 1-25, Edward Gama 1-12, Jonathan Scruggs 2-15, Dee Adams 2-22, Sanborn 1-12.