Waipahu dominates defending state champion Campbell in Cane Knife Classic, 40-17

For the first time since 2004, the Cane Knife will take up residence on 94-Block.

The Waipahu Marauders (1-0) used a pair of early turnovers, a balanced offensive orchestration and a dominant defensive showing to handle the reigning HHSAA Open Division state champion Campbell Sabers (0-1) in the 2026 season opener, 40-17.

One of the favorites to take home the OIA Division I crown (and more), Waipahu showed off a balanced offensive attack behind sophomore QB Jake Garcia and a stable of strong running options as they racked up 285 yards of total offense.

Garcia, who won the starting job after a close camp battle with incumbent starter David Vidinha, showed off a lively right arm and a creative ability with his legs as he scrambled to extend multiple plays while completing 11-of-16 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

The Waipahu offense celebrates following an early successful 2-point conversion against Campbell. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

“It means everything to us,” Garcia said of Waipahu finally reclaiming the Cane Knife in a postgame interview on Spectrum OC16. “This rivalry been going on a for long time and Coach [Bryson Carvalho] told us this game is bigger than all of us, even him.”

Senior LB/HB Arona Liaina added a pair of touchdowns for the Marauders, one with his legs to start the scoring and another with his arm on a jump-pass in the fourth quarter to help the Division I power put up a crooked number on the opening night of the non-league slate.

The trio of Elias Mahuka, Rocco Silofau and Tristan Pacheco combined for 105 of Waipahu’s 115 rushing yards, also finding the end zone with a Silofau rumble midway through the final quarter as the Marauders flexed in the ground game.

Sophomore WR Jayse Braun had the biggest day of the Marauder wideouts, hauling in four catches for a team-high 62 yards and two touchdowns as Waipahu threw scoring punch after scoring punch into Campbell’s tattered defense.

Campbell QB Dallas Carter had an up-and-down debut for the Sabers, connecting on 14-of-22 pass attempts for 170 yards through the air while also throwing an early interception and running for his life against an active Waipahu pass rush. The senior signal caller was sacked three times while the Sabers struggled to slow down the rival Marauders, allowing 7.0 tackles for loss in total on the night.

University of Hawai’i commit Shaison “Fatz” Kupukaa collected five receptions for 88 yards in the loss for Campbell while Chase Yamashita chipped in six catches for 56 yards for the Sabers.

Campbell running back Charlesten Salazar had nine rushes for 34 yards and a touchdown in his debut for the Sabers, who will have to let the loss marinate with a bye next week before traveling to face Moanalua on August 21 for another non-league contest.

Waipahu is also off next weekend with a bye, returning to action on August 21 with a test on the road against another Open Division team in Kapolei.

Check out the full OIA schedule HERE.

Waipahu QB Jake Garcia surveys the defense in the Marauders’ first Cane Knife Classic win since 2004. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN