Posted on: Saturday, November 27, 2004

Campbell rallies past Kaua'i to reach final

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Campbell head coach Tumoana Kenessey likely didn't do it intentionally, but he fired up his team after getting ejected in the second half.

The Sabers scored 15 consecutive points during a 1:36 span late in the game to beat Kaua'i, 29-20, last night in a State Division II semifinal at Moanalua High School.

The scoring came long after Kenessey was ejected after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the third quarter following an offensive pass interference penalty against the Sabers on an apparent touchdown and a no-call on the following pass play.

Offensive coordinator Mark Andrus took over for Kenessey.

Campbell trailed 20-14 before rallying.

The Sabers (9-2) went up 21-20 on a 1-yard run by Anthony Shimizu and Shaye Asoau's extra-point kick with 3:58 remaining. The 85-yard scoring drive was highlighted by a bizarre play in which Shimizu took a handoff and was apparently stopped for no gain, but teammate Jesse Lee took the ball from him at midfield and continued down field to the 15. Five plays later, Shimizu scored.

"The play I called didn't work so it's all to the players," Andrus said.

The Sabers' kickoff was fielded by a retreating Red Raider near the goal line and he slipped down at the 1. Three plays later, Campbell defensive lineman Keali'i Basham sacked quarterback Kekoa Crowell in the end zone for a safety, which made it 23-20 with 3:40 left.

After the free kick, the Sabers put the game away with a 58-yard run by Kaneala Stanton with 2:22 remaining.

"They fought hard, they knew what they had to do," Kenessey said. "It was a testament to them. Even without me there they knew what they had to do. And my staff, I have an awesome staff."

Added Andrus: "After he got ejected, I don't know what happened but the players were like, "let's do it for coach."

Kenessey disputed an apparent 32-yard touchdown pass from Asoau to Isaac Laupola, but Laupola was called for offensive pass interference.

On the next play, Asoau threw a pass intended for Laupola in front of the Sabers' bench, and Kenessey apparently wanted a defensive pass interference penalty called.

"Definitely we were fired up," Shimizu said. "It was all for Coach Kenessey."

Kaua'i (6-4) had first-and-goal on its first two possessions, but came up empty both times.

On the first drive, the Red Raiders had the ball at the 2, but Crowell fumbled on an option keeper just short of the goal line and the ball was recovered by Campbell defensive back Laupola at the 1.

Kaua'i got to the Campbell 6 on its second drive, but Kainoa Lemke eventually missed a 33-yard field goal.

"That was the game right there," Kaua'i head coach Keli'i Morgado said. "If we score it would have been an entirely different story."

KAUA'I (6-4) 0 14 6 0 — 20

CAMPBELL(9-2) 7 7 0 15 — 29

Camp—Isaac Laupola 63 run (Shaye Asoau kick)

Kaua'i—Lucky Andres 10 pass from Kekoa Crowell (Frank Speetjens kick)

Kaua'i: Kevin Cadiente 15 pass from Crowell (Speetjens kick)

Camp: James Bannister 5 pass from Asoau (Asoau kick)

Kaua'i: Cadiente 35 pass from Crowell (kick blocked)

Camp: Anthony Shimizu 1 run (Asoau kick)

Camp: Safety, quarterback sacked in end zone

Camp: Kaneala Stanton 58 yards (kick failed)

RUSHING—Kaua'i: Dominic Elvenia 8-33, Jonathan Rellin 7-31, Andres 1-7, Crowell 5-(minus 3). Campbell: Stanton 5-69, Laupola 2-62, Asoau 8-46, Jesse Lee 2-38, Shimizu 10-37, Isiah Smith 1-30, Gregg Frink 8-20, Evan Tanigawa 1-0, Jacob Kaku 1-(minus 5).

PASSING—Kaua'i: Crowell 19-37-1—289, Rellin 0-1-0—0. Campbell: Asoau 6-12-0—79, Smith 1-1-0—24.

RECEIVING—Kaua'i: Cadiente 9-147, Chadwin Lopez 3-53, Andres 3-30, Jett Jasper 2-28, Elvenia 1-24, Duke Dasalia 1-7. Campbell: Laupola 3-39, Kaku 1-24, Lee 1-24, Kepa Basham 1-11, Bannister 1-5.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.