MĀNOA — There was a time during Campbell's historic and improbable run to a state title that head coach Darren Johnson realized whatever he was doing must be working. No way could he change his routine just as the Sabers were gearing up for the big game.
Johnson, who has coached in a variety of roles at the prep level in Hawai‘i for 37 years, had never been the head coach in a football state title game prior to Friday. During stints as a head coach at Kailua, Kaimuki and Campbell, he was a combined 0-7 in state semifinal games. His breakthrough finally arrived on Nov. 21, when the Sabers shocked OIA champion Kahuku in the HHSAA semifinals, clinching their ticket to the state title game.
Johnson's preparation for the state title game was as meticulous off the field as it was drawing up a gameplan against Kamehameha.
"I got to say thank you to my whole family, because they came the last two games and we won. And I'm a bachi guy, so I said, 'Everybody got to do the same thing.' I'm trying to lose weight. But I just want to say thank you to everybody, Papa Ole's back home in Hau‘ula. I went the last three games and we won. So, I had to do it again," Johnson said. "I eat the same thing and I call the same people, and I got good at it, because I have to stay with what I do."
When Friday night's HHSAA Open Division championship game between Campbell and Kamehameha hung in the balance at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Johnson's players also stuck to routine, dialing up a play they refer to as "Bean Tops," where one of the team's standout receivers runs a fade route against single coverage.
Facing third-and-7 in overtime, the Sabers ran their gotta-have-it play to perfection. Quarterback Brayden Medeiros connected with fellow senior Zayne Pasion for a 17-yard touchdown, delivering a 26-23 walk-off win over Kamehameha, sending the Mānoa crowd into a frenzy. The Sabers won their first-ever Open Division state football championship in their first appearance in a top-tier HHSAA title game. Campbell's only other state football title was the 2004 HHSAA Division II title
The manner in which Campbell won on Friday caused bedlam. Never before had an HHSAA Open Division championship game gone to overtime. When Pasion hauled in the game winning touchdown, the rest of the Sabers stormed the field. Tearful hugs were shared, trucks were honked and ‘Ewa Beach's unofficial anthem blared through speakers in the UH-Mānoa parking structure. Did any of it feel real to the team that was experiencing a championship win for the first time?
"Oh, no, this feels like a dream," Pasion said. "Especially doing it front of this big crowd. Wow, I couldn't believe I did that."
Johnson echoed those sentiments.
"I don't want to go to sleep. I don't want to wake up. I want to soak it in and enjoy this," he said with misty eyes.
Campbell struck first on Friday with a 22-yard Brystin Sansano touchdown reception in the second quarter, but Kamehameha would take a 10-7 lead by halftime with an 11-yard Nainoa Melchor rushing score and 25-yard field goal from Tyler Fujimoto.
The Sabers appeared to take control of the game in the fourth quarter after touchdowns from Tainoa Lave and Lathaniel Teleaai gave them a 20-10 lead, but Kamehameha clawed back with another Fujimoto field goal and a 11-yard Hazyn Botelho receiving touchdown with 14 seconds remaining.
Kamehameha started overtime with the ball and scored on Fujimoto's third field goal of the day, a 33-yarder.
Though Johnson admits he was hesitant to call Bean Tops, he signed off on it — setting the stage for a play that will live on in ‘Ewa Beach lore.
"It's just a crazy feeling, first time in Campbell history," said Medeiros, who completed 11 of his 15 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns. "It's the best play in Campbell history right there to win the game."
Added Pasion: "We practice that on a daily basis. We have to work our craft because that might be the scenario that might happen. We know we trust each other. We have a strong connection. He placed the ball perfect in the back of the end zone."
Campbell's 2025 campaign ends at 9-3, becoming the first OIA third-place team to win a football state title. Meanwhile, Kamehameha's season concludes with a mark of 5-5. Prior to Friday, the Warriors were a combined 5-0 in O‘ahu Prep Bowl championships (1974, 1975, 1976) and HHSAA Division I state title games (2004, 2009).
When all the dust settled from the on-field celebration, Johnson addressed his team before they got on the bus back to ‘Ewa Beach, where a night full of fireworks and other West Side celebratory staples awaited them.
“I’m gonna savor this win in my heart f****** forever," Johnson said.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
