Laupola sparks Campbell past Radford, 45-0
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Lies and videotape did in Radford.
Isaac Laupola scored three touchdowns — two by receiving and another on a 98-yard interception return — to lead Campbell over Radford, 45-0, last night at John Velasco Stadium in O'ahu Interscholastic Association White football.
The Sabers (4-1 overall, 4-0 White) remained undefeated in the conference by winning their fourth consecutive game after a 2-0 nonleague loss to Wai'anae. The Rams (2-3, 2-2) suffered their first conference loss on the field; they forfeited a 27-7 win against Moanalua earlier in the week for using an ineligible player.
Last night's game was played with a running clock in the second half after Campbell took a 39-0 with one minute, 14 seconds left in the first half. The league's 35-point differential mercy rule takes effect from the second half.
Laupola, the Sabers' 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior receiver and defensive back, hauled in TD passes of 45 and 50 yards from new quarterback Shaye Asoau, a transfer from Kaimuki, but really showed his 4.3-second-40-yard-dash speed on his interception return.
"On film, we didn't think he was that fast," admitted Radford coach Fred Salanoa.
And it wasn't just foot speed that caught the Rams off guard. It was how fast the Sabers strung together their touchdowns.
"We were playing catch-up from the get-go," Salanoa said. "We were down 20-0 in a quick second."
It wasn't just Laupola's speed that devastated the Rams. Behind center Liulotu Gaui, guards Sterling Valentine and Chadric Cruz Jr., and tackles Matthew Masililio and Dustin Salvador, the Sabers amassed 271 yards rushing, divided among 10 rushers.
"Our O-line just did their job," Laupola said.
"We're capable of scoring a lot of points," Campbell coach Tumoana Kenessey said. "That's what I expect from our offense. We want to control the ball, get our defense off the field."
Asoau was efficient in the air, completing 8 of 10 for 207 yards and three TDs. Laupola had four catches for 138 yards. Jessie Lee had the other TD reception, a 38-yarder to cap the Sabers' first-quarter scoring, making it 20-0.
Laupola's interception return opened another three-TD quarter for Campbell.
"It was the D-Line guys putting pressure on the quarterback," he said of the reason he was able to make the interception. "I saw the quarterback drop back. We practiced that (defense) all week."
Because of their record last season in the Red West, which is Division I for state tournament purposes, the Sabers were placed in the White, or Division II. Campbell's speed and size would indicate it might be misplaced.
"Personally, I feel we don't belong (in the White)," Kenessey said. "But we didn't play well last season, so we have to play better, play harder. We can't cry because of sour grapes. That's what I tell the players. If we play hard, good things will come."
Meanwhile, the Rams need to regroup. Salanoa said the forfeiture was not a distraction to his players because he said they knew of the situation a day after the Moanalua game.
"We told them to put that behind," he said. "It's just that Campbell came to play."
Campbell (4-1, 4-0) 20 19 0 6—45
Radford (2-3, 2-2) 0 0 0 0— 0
Camp—Isaac Laupola 45 pass from Shaye Asoau (Asoau kick)
Camp—Kaneala Stanton 34 run (Asoau kick)
Camp—Jessie Lee 38 pass from Asoau (kick failed)
Camp—Laupola 98 interception return (Asoau kick(
Camp—Isiah Smith 1 run (run failed)
Camp—Laupola 50 pass from Asoau (kick failed)
Camp—Anthony Shimizu 2 run (kick blocked)
RUSHING—Campbell: Shaye Asoau 2-6, Isiah Smith 7-31, Gregg Frink 6-52, Jessie Lee 1-10, Quinton Richards 6-103, Kaneala Stantor 1-34, Anthony Shimizu 7-28, Victor Cachuela 2-(minus 1), Jacob Kaku 1-2, Evan Tanigawa 1-8, Team 2-(minus 2). Radford: Ryan Burciaga 8-(minus 38), Alex Daniels 8-48, Kyle Blair 1-20, Trevor Maldon 1-5, Troy Limos 3-21, Kharel Price 1-1, Marvin Fitchett 1-2.
PASSING—Campbell: Asoau 8-10-1—207, Tristan Sealy 0-1-0—0. Radford: Burciaga 7-17-1—29, Blair 0-1-0—0.
RECEIVING—Campbell: Isaac Laupola 4-138, Lee 2-49, David Kim 1-2, James Bannister 1-18. Radford: Mark Failauga 2-5, Eric Venglar 4-18, Joe Brundidge 1-6.
JV: Campbell 27, Radford 6
