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Campbell was ahead in the state semifinal round.

Ahead of Saint Louis, the ILH champion. With a steady ground attack, talented receivers, a stout offensive line and a record-shattering quarterback, the Sabers led in a game that would determine one of the two finals teams.

Then, came the heartbreaking rib injury to QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.

Saint Louis’ ground-and-pound attack wore the Sabers down. Sagapolutele graduated and is already making headlines for the Golden Bears of Cal.

Kahuku is coming off a stellar two-week stint. In California, the Red Raiders came close to shocking the then-top ranked team in the country, Mater Dei. Over the weekend, Kahuku’s defense again stepped up in a 21-7 win over Kapolei.

On paper, Kahuku (3-3, 1-0) has a decisive edge over Campbell (5-0, 1-0) when the teams meet on Saturday night in an OIA Open Division showdown at Kahuku’s Carleton E. Weimer Field.

Against Kapolei, the defensive unit got a tremendous effort from 6-foot-4, 225-pound linebacker Talanoa Ili and 6-foot, 205-pound defensive lineman Kevin Kamakaala.

When penalties dinged Kahuku in the first half, coach Nihoa Pule reminded his team during halftime about what matters.

“These kids understand me. They know what business is. It’s being business-like out here and we just weren’t business-like in the first half,” Pule said. “We had too many penalties. Self-inflicting wounds. Now we have Campbell. Another tough game.”

Campbell coach Darren Johnson knows Kahuku well. The former Kahuku football and basketball standout has seen his staff develop another tough defensive unit. The Sabers have allowed just 16.2 points per game.

Though Sagapolutele is gone, Brayden Medeiros has delivered at QB. He has passed for 805 yards and 10 TDs, taking aim at wide receivers Shaison Kupukaa (20, 520, eight TDs) and Zayne Pasion (22, 428, four).

Last year, Campbell beat Kahuku at Weimer Field, 21-13. Since Johnson took over at Campbell in 2017, the Sabers are 2-10 against his alma mater.

No. 1 Saint Louis at St. John Bosco (Calif.)

The Crusaders (3-0, 0-0 ILH Open) have spent nearly two weeks preparing for one of the premier football programs in the nation. Saint Louis and St. John Bosco have met just once. In 2014, Bosco won, 63-14, at Aloha Stadium.

Since Mater Dei’s loss to Centennial last week, the Braves of St. John Bosco have moved into the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps rankings.

Sophomore QB Koa Mala‘ulu has thrown 11 TD passes: four to Madden Williams and four to DJ Tubbs. He also has three TD strikes to Carson Clark.

Linebackers Josiah Poyer (3.5 sacks) and Matthew Muasau and defensive back Jailen Hill (four interceptions) are among the Braves’ defensive playmakers.

No. 3 Kapolei at St. John’s (Washington, D.C.)

12:45 p.m.

Coached by Terrance Byrd, the Cadets (2-1) are the No. 2 team in the District of Columbia, according to MaxPreps. They opened the season with a 42-21 win over Downingtown West, then lost to St. Joseph Regional, 34-19. Last week, St. John’s routed St. Mary’s Ryken, 34-3.

The Hurricanes (3-2, 0-1 OIA Open) stormed to blowout wins over Punahou, 46-21, and Lahainaluna, 52-0, to start the season. A rough 34-31 loss to Los Alamitos (Calif.) and a 35-0 victory over Kapaa followed.

The ‘Canes held their own against Kahuku in a 21-7 loss, using a balanced offense to move the ball. QB Jacob Ballesteros and his receivers have been on point most of the time, but a miscommunication on a sideline pass led to a Kahuku interception and shifted momentum.

This is Kapolei’s first game on the continent since 2023 when the Hurricanes beat Calabasas (Calif.), 46-30.

No. 5. Kamehameha at No. 7 Punahou

For five weeks in a row, the Buffanblu (2-3, 0-0 ILH Open) were in strategic, game-plan mode. Last week’s bye gave coach Nate Kia and his squad a chance to rest, heal and rep. The timing was good as the ILH Open Division opener against Kamehameha (1-3, 0-0) looms.

Likewise, coach Kaeo Drummondo and staff had a bye week to prepare for Punahou. The core of Drummondo’s style of football — physical, fast defense with efficient passing and a run-first offense — has loads of potential. Left tackle Malakai Lee is unmatched with 30-plus college scholarship offers. Another tough matchup is tight end/defensive end Taimane Purcell, a 6-3, 225-pound playmaker who sometimes lines up in the offensive backfield.

No. 9 Kailua at Aiea

Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.

Another tough road game is ahead for the Surfriders (2-3, 1-1 OIA Division I), who lost at Waianae last week, 15-7. Aiea freshman QB Caizel Jesus-Kapesi has been a revelation since day one. He looked impressive in a tri-scrimmage in early August and hasn’t let up since. The 6-2, 240-pound slinger has passed for 1,275 yards and 15 TDs. He spreads the ball to speedsters Trystyn Lee Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Ezra Spencer and Champ Colburn while Legend Byrd-Tauala and Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo churn out yardage on the ground for Na Alii (4-2, 2-0 OIA D-I).

Byrd-Tauala and Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo have rushed for a combined 589 yards and 11 TDs on 82 carries.