Saturday, October 8, 2022
By: Nick O’Connor
In a back and forth fight for a playoff spot that witnessed 5 lead changes, the Govs were able to fend off the Rough Riders for a 38-30 victory.
“For us we knew that a win would get us into the playoffs. We just practiced harder this week, had a good week of practice, and focused on taking care of the next game,” said Farrington head coach Daniel Sanchez.
Taking care of the next game is exactly what Farrington was able to do. Despite Roosevelt opening up the playbook by using their notorious muddle huddle in goal line situations, converting fake punts on 4th and long, and even hook and ladder plays the Govs were able to answer. “I was thinking, ‘don’t be shocked if they try to come out with the muddle and all the fakes,’ and sure enough,” said Coach Sanchez, who was not surprised to see Roosevelt throw everything and the kitchen sink at Farrington.
The Govs were able to get on the board first as they recovered the opening kick-off on a special teams miscue from the Rough Riders. Ikaika Kuaana-Lacno was able to take the second snap of the game into the end zone for a 12-yard run just 14 seconds into the game.
Roosevelt was able to answer back quickly with two scores of their own. Kayman Lewis was able to find Kainalu Davis for a 14-yard strike. On their very next drive, Kayman connected with Kamuela Kaaihue for a 9-yard touchdown pass. This brought the score to 14-7. Lewis finished the game going 27-46 through the air with 372 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
Farrington was able to get the lead back utilizing the rushing game. Junior running back Kingston Miles was able to force his way into the endzone with 8:30 left in the second quarter bringing the score 17-14. Miles was the leading rusher for the Govs as he finished with 109 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.
The Govs and Rough riders would go back and forth twice more in the second quarter as Roosevelt’s senior quarterback, Lewis, completed his third touchdown pass to Jayden Montogomery-Goapoa. This connection and a successful 2-point conversion brought the score to 22-17.
The Govs were again able to change the lead as Kamakana Tisalona-Perez was able to reel in, one of his 4 receptions, a 38-yard pass from Marcus Moreno with 3:47 in the second quarter. Moreno finished the game with 123 yards through the air. Going into halftime the score was 24-22 in favor of the visiting Govs.
Coming out of half time both teams seemed to make adjustments that watered down the scoring. The Govs were able to hold the Rough Riders to just one second half score that came on a broken play in the third.
A fourth quarter rushing touchdown by Zechariah Molitau with 2:08 left in the fourth quarter brought the game to the final score 38-30.
One of the underlying heroes of the game may very well be Farrington kicker, Jason Felipe. Felipe’s consistent leg provided the 8 points that separated the final score, 38-30. The Govs kick finished with 5 extra points and a 27-yard field goal that came in the first quarter.
The Govs take on Aiea (5-2, 3-1) in an important playoff positioning game. Roosevelt will take on Kailua (3-3-1-, 3-2) as they try to get out of their three game skid to close out the season.
Photos by: Jarin Kobashigawa
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