Campbell wins first-ever girls flag football state title on a prom-ising night

MILILANI — As the quarterback of the Campbell girls flag football team, senior Maya Gonsalves is used to making decisions.

Her choices on Saturday night turned into a moment that will last for eternity.

Gonsalves and the Sabers became the first-ever Hawai’i girls flag football state champions after a 6-0 win over Leilehua at John Kauinana Stadium in the sport’s inaugural season that the state adopted it as an official sport in high school athletics.

The senior quarterback also was responsible for the only points of the game which came on a 33-yard scramble in the first quarter before the defense did the rest with the Sabers’ sixth shutout win of the year, their second in as many nights.

“It feels amazing to be a part of history and winning states for the first year ever for girls flag football,” said Gonsalves.

When Campbell (11-2) defeated Mililani, 14-0, on Friday in the semifinals of the Hawai’i Dental Service / HHSAA state tournament, the Sabers knew their roster for the championship was going to be thinner with the school’s senior prom being held that same night.

But Gonsalves, the lone senior in the Sabers’ starting lineup, had her priorities in order.

“This is very much important and I don’t regret the decision I made at all,” Gonsalves said about forgoing her senior prom.

“Knowing I came this far, I wasn’t going to bail out on my girls and we made each other proud.”

Gonsalves’ decision-making also gave the Sabers the necessary points needed to win the crown.

Leilehua (10-3) played man coverage against Campbell early on in the championship game, which gave Gonsalves a prime opportunity to tuck the ball and run without no one accounting for her when she got sprung free away from the Mules’ pass rusher.

“It was a passing play, but when I went through my reads and seen that everything was covered, I checked the pukas (openings) and I took it home,” Gonsalves said.

Coach Will Naboa was ecstatic for his girls after the championship win.

“For these girls, it means everything because I know the work they put in, day in and day out, the long nights giving up stuff, sacrifice, for goodness sakes (Maya) had to sacrifice her senior prom, so there’s no one more deserving of this honor and title. Again, nobody can take this away from them, first-ever state champs.”

Sophomore Shaleah “Lala” Moore was named the tournament’s most outstanding player for the Sabers. In the championship game she recorded nine flag pulls, three for loss, one sack, two pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.

“It feels amazing, I love this feeling, I love winning and I’m just so happy,” said Moore, who finished the four-day tournament with nine total sacks.

Jaynalyn Sotelo recorded two interceptions and Aiesha DeWeever had another in the championship win and was also named to the all-tournament team. Sotelo also had the game-sealing interception on the final play of the game.

“I can’t say anymore good things about our defense,” said Naboa. It’s not where we just stay stationary or basic zone. We have so many plays on defense just as much on offense and the way they’re able to adjust on the fly I think that’s what separates our team versus anybody else. We’re able to adjust the girls are able to communicate.”