On December 5, 2025, the Campbell Sabers made history by defeating the Kamehameha Warriors 26-23 in a thrilling overtime showdown at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. It was the first Open Division state football championship to ever go to overtime, with quarterback Brayden Medeiros connecting with Zayne Pasion for a 17-yard touchdown pass to seal the walk-off victory and deliver Campbell its first-ever Open title (and second state crown overall, after 2004 in Division II).

The game was an instant classic: slow start with no first-quarter scoring, Kamehameha leading 10-7 at halftime, Campbell surging to 20-10 in the fourth, only for the Warriors to tie it late and force OT. Kamehameha kicked a field goal first, but the Sabers went for the win—and got it.

As a photographer on assignment for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, I was there to capture the drama. The moment the trophy was presented, the Sabers turned inward in a tight huddle, celebrating wildly—but completely out of my view. When they finally broke and I asked them to turn around for a posed team photo, their initial jubilation had faded. They looked calm, almost subdued, holding the hardware like seasoned champs.

That's when I decided to get creative. I started screaming "YAAAAAAAA!!!" at the top of my lungs while firing the shutter. The players screamed right back—a raw, primal exchange that reignited their energy and turned a standard trophy pose into this explosive, iconic image of pure joy.

It was one of those magical photographer-athlete moments where you feed off each other's adrenaline. This shot ran big in the paper with the headline "SABERS FOR EWA," perfectly summing up the pride pouring out of Ewa Beach that night.

Congrats again to the Sabers on an unforgettable season. Moments like this are why I love what I do.