Campbell champion Brayden Medeiros begins next chapter at Valley City State

Brayden Medeiros’ final two passes in a Campbell uniform could hardly have scripted a better ending.

Both were touchdowns.

The first, a 55-yard strike to Lathaniel Teleaai, gave the Sabers breathing room in the Open Division state championship game. The second, a 17-yard scoring pass to Zayne Pasion in overtime, sealed a 26-23 victory over Kamehameha and delivered Campbell its first HHSAA Open Division football title.

Now, the quarterback who authored some of the biggest moments in Campbell football history is ready for a new challenge.

Medeiros departed Hawaiʻi this week for Valley City State University in North Dakota, where he is getting an early start on his college career by joining the Vikings’ returning players for preseason camp ahead of the rest of the freshman class.

“It’s a crazy feeling for sure,” Medeiros said before leaving the islands. “A lot of ups and downs through the road. Just being able to play football at the next level is a very special feeling, being able to go early and practice with the returners and create a bond.”

“Not that much people make it out to the next level. I just can’t wait to continue to succeed and continue to play ball wherever God has planned for me. VCSU is the place He chose for me, and I can’t wait to continue my journey, enjoy college and enjoy being far from home with all the people still supporting me.”

His journey to college football comes after accomplishing something even Campbell’s most celebrated recent quarterback could not.

While current University of California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele became Hawaiʻi’s all-time leading high school passer, it was Medeiros who guided the Sabers to the school’s long-awaited Open Division state championship in December 2025.

The title capped a season in which Medeiros was named the ScoringLive All-Hawaiʻi Open Division Offensive Player of the Year.

His numbers — 1,838 passing yards and 21 touchdowns in 12 games — were solid but not overwhelming. His reputation, however, was built on delivering when the stakes were highest.

With Campbell needing a victory over Mililani just to qualify for the state tournament, Medeiros scored on a 14-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds remaining to lift the Sabers to a 14-10 win.

A week later against OIA champion Kahuku in the state semifinals, he engineered another game-winning drive. Medeiros completed all four of his passes on the Sabers’ final possession, including a fourth-down conversion to Shaison Kupukaa and a 20-yard completion to Zayne Pasion that moved Campbell to the Red Raiders’ 10-yard line before the Sabers escaped with a 15-12 victory.

Then came the championship game, where his final two high school passes became part of Campbell football lore.

For Medeiros, the calm he displayed in those defining moments came from trusting the preparation rather than trying to become the hero.

“Coaches told me you don’t need to do too much,” he said. “I just told myself, just take whatever it takes for our team to win. Just playing my role, not overdoing anything, not trying to be the hero. Just whatever it takes to win.

“Those games will be something I remember forever. Just being a leader on the field and keeping the guys together is definitely what made us win.”

His championship run also opened doors.

Following the season, Medeiros participated in the 808 P.R.O. Bowl, where he met numerous college coaches visiting Hawaiʻi to evaluate local talent. Among them was Valley City State offensive coordinator Dustin Yorek.

Brayden Medeiros drops back to pass in the 2025 808 P.R.O. Bowl. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Their relationship steadily grew throughout the recruiting process.

Although Medeiros drew interest from other programs and never visited Valley City in person — relying instead on a virtual tour — he never felt uncertain about where he belonged.

“It was just whatever God had planned for me and my family,” Medeiros said. “We talked about what was best for me. The recruiting process was slow, but me and Coach Yorek had a good connection ever since he met me after the season. We just felt like that was the right fit for me. It felt like another home.

“I can’t wait to bring my talents there on and off the field. I can’t wait to be a great person and be a great leader in that system.”

Yorek believes the Vikings are adding far more than just another quarterback.

“We’re excited to welcome Brayden to the quarterback room here at VCSU,” Yorek said. “Brayden is a proven winner from one of the highest levels of high school football. When you turn on his highlight tape, it’s easy to see he has the arm talent to be a successful college quarterback.

“He’s competed against exceptional competition, and we believe his leadership, competitiveness and football IQ make him a perfect fit for our program.”

The transition from Ewa Beach to rural North Dakota will certainly be an adjustment, but Medeiros won’t be making it alone.

Valley City State has steadily expanded its pipeline to Hawaiʻi in recent years, and Medeiros will reunite with former Campbell receivers Tyson Ball and Rowen Bucao, whose familiarity with both the program and the community has already helped ease the move.

Brayden Medeiros drops back to pass against Farrington in a 2025 OIA game. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

“Just the connection already,” Medeiros said. “Talking to them about what it’s like playing up there, what it’s like being there and the culture. We’ve been throwing together during the summer and talking a lot. We can’t wait to play together and make good memories and build good bonds.”

Then there’s the weather.

The quarterback who spent his career under Hawaiʻi’s sunshine knows winter on the northern Plains will present an entirely different challenge.

“I used to go play tournaments in the cold,” Medeiros said with a laugh. “But I’ll definitely have to adapt. Packing a lot of warm clothes is very different. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to play in whatever weather it is.”

After a career defined by championship moments, Medeiros is heading nearly 4,000 miles from home with the same approach that carried Campbell to the top of Hawaiʻi high school football: trust the work, trust the opportunity and simply do whatever it takes to win.