There was little separation between Justin Uahinui and Bishop Rapoza going into Farrington’s season opener and perhaps even less after the eighth-ranked Governors’ 34-14 win over Campbell on Saturday at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium.
The senior quarterbacks rotated every two plays and got off to a blistering start in completing 12 of 13 combined throws while helping the Governors’ take a 28-0 lead in the first half. Both cooled in the second, alternating in a run of seven straight incompletions, while Campbell chopped into the lead. But Rapoza’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Kingston Moses-Sanchez on his final throw of the night put the game out of reach.
Rapoza finished with a slight edge with eight completions in 11 attempts for 119 yards and two scores, including a 33-yarder to Challen Faamatau in the first half. Uahinui, who took the first snap of the game, went 6-for-11 for 106 yards and connected with Moses-Sanchez on a 60-yard touchdown.
After the game, Farrington coach Randall Okimoto indicated the rotation will continue into next week’s contest against No. 9 Kailua.
“It’s the ultimate testament to what this game is about,” Okimoto said. “It’s a team game. They don’t act selfish. They understand, ‘I’m going to get my plays in,’ and when you get in make the most of your opportunity.
“I saw Justin make throws. I saw Bishop make throws and that’s how it’s been all summer. So both guys deserve to play and that’s how we’re going to approach it.”
With Campbell keying on Faamatau in the backfield, the Governors’ countered with an efficient passing game early on. Moses-Sanchez highlighted the night with eight catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
“When the passing game opened up we started to nickel and dime until they started biting, then we hit them with the long pass,” Moses-Sanchez said.
Campbell contained Faamatau for the most part, holding the senior to 44 yards on 22 carries with a long of six yards. But he also caught three passes for 49 yards and the long touchdown from Rapoza.
After the hot start, the offense stalled for much of the second half. But the defense managed to fend off the Sabers’ comeback. Isaiah Taumua had two interceptions and safety Iosefo Ah Ching picked off a pass in the end zone with Campbell threatening to close to within a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Ah Ching set up Farrington’s first touchdown with a blocked punt on Campbell’s opening possession of the game. Tanu Tautolo came up with another block in the fourth quarter that led to the Governors’ last score.
“The two blocked punts were big for us,” Okimoto said.
“We practiced hard for this game. We were short 20 guys so I was happy about how the other guys stepped up and played in the absence of those 20 guys. … We were happy to get out of this week because we were concerned.”
The govs proved that they can move the ball through the air even when Campbell’s defense keyed on RB Faamatau. Gonna be interesting to see them develop.
Faamatau is a beast but its hard to run when the box is stacked! Campbell is terrible again this year.
Like I said before, I don’t see Campbell getting more than two wins this year. Farrington has no identity that’s why they will never get pass the quarterfinals. Think that every coach in Oahu knows their playbook. Cheeeehooo
Farrington’s QB’s are both solid but, I do think that they should pick a starter. I don’t see any other high school team with 2 QB’s unless someone gets hurt. It’s hard for the QB to get into rhythm when they are rotating every 2 plays. Who does that?