Campos helps Kalaheo romp past Pac-Five in D-II state playoffs

The Mustangs are galloping into the semifinals.

Reserve running back John Campos rushed for 181 yards and touchdowns of 28, 7, 2 and 2 yards on 26 carries as unbeaten Kalaheo overwhelmed Pac-Five 61-21 on a windy Saturday night at Skippa Diaz Stadium.

Kalaheo (11-0) travels to play Kamehameha-Maui on Friday in the semifinal of the Hawaii Army National Guard/HHSAA Division II Football State Championships.

“We’re trying to fly on Thursday,” Kalaheo coach Jaymason Lee said. “This is my first time trying to plan it, this state-tournament thing. We’re trying to figure out the logistics of the flight, the hotel, the transportation. There’s a lot of work to do, but I’d rather be doing the work than watching it.”

The short week means the Mustangs staff will get to work early and ahead of the curve.

“I like to look at (game video) right away, so we’re going to upload it, break it down, however long it takes, 2 in the morning while it’s still fresh,” Lee said. “Get the notes down because it’s going to be a fast week.”

A flu bug hit the team all week, which led Lee to hold starting RB Marquez Mellor out. He was in uniform just in case.

“He kind of had it the worst. We had a couple of linemen sick. I just got over it,” Lee said. “Marquez is such a team player. He said, ‘Coach, if I can’t play, I trust in Johnny Camp to get it done.’ ”

Kalaheo, the OIA champion, took all Pac-Five could give. The Wolfpack, representing the ILH, tied the game in the second quarter, taking advantage of three early Kalaheo turnovers. From that point on, however, Kalaheo’s offensive front took command at the line of scrimmage.

“Pac-Five is always going to play tough and smart because of their staff,” Lee said. “I felt like they’re kind of like us in ways. They don’t have their own field. I don’t know how their locker room is. Less facilities. Just trying to make things work and try to compete. I knew they were going to come out and do exactly what they just did.”

Pac-Five wide receiver Avari Zion-Branch did what he could against double coverage. The 6-foot-2, 182-pound senior finished with 12 receptions for 199 yards, including TDs of 7, 5 and 72 yards. The finality of being a four-year Wolfpack player hit hard.

“It’s a lot of emotions. I’m going to miss my team,” Zion-Branch said. “This is a place where we have a culture and get to know our teammates from all our schools.”

Pac-Five closed the season 4-6 overall.

Kalaheo won the coin toss, took the field on defense and sacked Pac-Five QB Brady Shimabukuro. With the wind at their backs, the Wolfpack managed a 34-yard punt that was returned 14 yards to the Pac-five 30-yard line.

Five plays later on fourth-and-2, Zayne Farley took the snap and snaked his way up the middle for a 22-yard TD run.

After Pac-Five’s second punt, Kalaheo drove 41 yards in two plays. Campos rumbled up the A-gap, bounced off defenders and scored on a 28-yard TD. Kalaheo led 14-0 with 6:16 left in the first quarter.

The Wolfpack drove 62 yards in 11 plays to pay dirt. Shimabukuro found Zion-Branch four times for completions, including a 7-yard strike for TD. It was 14-7 with 2:05 left in the opening quarter.

Campos scored on a 13-yard run, but a holding penalty brought it back. An additional 15 yards was tacked on because Campos spiked the ball in the end zone. One play later, a sideline pass by Farley was intercepted to end the scoring threat.

After Loch Moorman fumbled on a first-down scramble, the Wolfpack drove 66 yards in 12 plays to the end zone. Two roughing-the-passer penalties and one pass-interference call against Kalaheo helped the ‘Pack.

Shimabukuro’s 5-yard TD pass to Zion-Branch on a slant tied the game at 14 with 3:39 left in the first half.

Kalaheo sputtered with a rash of penalties but still scored before the half. Campos’ 2-yard run to the left pylon gave the Mustangs a 21-14 lead with 1:05 to go in the first half.

After an interception by Jayden Carreiro, Kalaheo drove 15 yards in five plays, scoring on Moorman’s 5-yard run with six seconds left in the first half. That built a 28-14 cushion for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs amassed 10 penalties for 106 yards before halftime.

Kalaheo got a 34-yard kickoff return from Carreiro to set up a three-play, 40-play scoring drive. Moorman lofted a 13-yard TD pass to Storm Kane on a fade route. The Mustangs led 35-14 with 11:12 to go in the third quarter.

With showers drenching the premises occasionally, Kalaheo drove 46 yards and scored on Carreiro’s 1-yard blast. It was 42-14 with 6:57 left in the third stanza.

Moments later, Kalaheo defensive end Coy Wallace hauled in a deflected pass and raced 33 yards for a TD. The PAT failed and it was 48-14 with 5:34 to go in the third quarter.

Zion-Branch still kept playing hard, hauling in a deep post pass from Shimabukuro, shaking off a tackler near midfield and turning on the jets for a 72-yard TD with 46 seconds left in the third quarter.

Campos’ fourth TD, a 2-yard run, came with 8:39 remaining.