Sabers Score First, But Fall Short to Farrington

Maui High head coach David Bui talks with his team prior to its first-round contest at against Baldwin earlier this year at War Memorial Stadium. File photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui High School football team was unable to slow Farrington in the second half, falling to the Governors tonight 22-6 in a First Hawaiian Bank Division I State Championship quarterfinal game at Aloha Stadium on Oahu.

The Sabers’ championship season ends at 7-3, while the sixth-ranked Governors (9-2) advanced to next Saturday’s semifinals against No. 2 seeded Mililani at Aloha Stadium.

Maui High started well, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a Daniel Kelley’s 17-yard run with 2 minutes, 4 seconds left in the first quarter. The extra-point kick by Jayden Wilhelm was blocked, leaving the Sabers ahead 6-0.

Farrington, however, responded 21 seconds later with running back Ranan Mamiya bursting upfield and then outside the down-field-block of a teammate before sprinting up the sidelines 69 yards. Kekoa Sasaoka’s point-after kick put the Govs ahead for good, 7-6.

Farrington quarterback Montana Liana, shown above against Baldwin a year ago, threw for 108 yards and one touchdown in the Govs’ 22-6 victory over Maui High Friday at Aloha Stadium. File photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Farrington exploded for 15 points in the third quarter with sophomore Challen Faamatau, who came in for the injured Mamiya, and added a 4-yard touchdown run with 8:38 to play.

Wide receiver Derrick Chaffin hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Montana Liana four minutes later and Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo’s two-point run capped the game’s scoring.

As MIL Division I champions, Maui High was playing in its first state tournament since 2000. Farrington, on the other hand, is a perennial state tournament qualifier with 10 postseason appearances to its credit — second only to Kahuku’s 12.

Farrington finished with 416 yards and averaged 8.9 yards per play compared to Maui High’s 209 and 2.9 yards per play.

Mamiya hurt his leg midway through the third quarter, but still led all rushers with with a career-high 159 yards on 13 carries. Faamatau was solid in relief with 141 yards on 13 carries.

The Govs’ Liana was a surgical 9 for 11 for 108 yards and one touchdown.

Maui High quarterback Austin Hoe passed for 89 yards, completing 7 of 11 passes, including four to tight end Tristan Nichols for 48 yards. Kelley led all Saber rushers with 66 yards on 12 carries.

Jonathan Lolohea led the Sabers’ defense with a team-high seven tackles. Alexander Vainikolo had five tackles, including a sack and a fumble recovery, while linebacker Lucas Ibanez also had five tackles and a force fumble. Atunaisa Vainikolo and Zaylan Cernal Day added four tackle apiece.

Friday’s Scoring Summary

At Aloha Stadium

GOVS 22, SABERS 6

Farrington ……………. 7 ….. 0 ….. 15 ….. 0—22

Maui High ….. 6 ….. 0 ……. 0 ….. 0—6

First Quarter

MH—Daniel Kelley 17 run (Jayden Wilhelm kick blocked), 2:04.

FR—Ranan Mamiya 69 run (Kekoa Sasaoka kick), 1:43.

Third Quarter

FR—Challen Faamatau 4 run (Sasaoka kick), 8:38.

FR—Derrick Chaffin 35 pass from Montana Liana (B. Tatupu-Leopoldo run), 4:37.