Farrington's Apelu Sooalo made an otherwise desperate move look like a great coaching decision last night against Kapolei.

Sooalo, in his first game at running back this season, rushed 29 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns as Farrington beat Kapolei, 37-19, in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference third-place game at Waipahu.

Farrington (6-3-2) clinched the league's final state tournament berth and will face Maui Interscholastic League champion Baldwin in the first round Nov. 17 at War Memorial Stadium.

"It's nice to be in the state tournament after a three-year absence," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto. "We can continue our season and we're grateful and happy to be able to play."

Sooalo, a junior, was forced into starting duty because Governors running backs Dayton Kealoha (injury), Matt Stowers (injury) and Joshua Fernandez (personal reasons) were unavailable.

Sooalo, who played linebacker prior to last night, scored on 7- and 1-yard runs in the first quarter, and a 1-yard run in the third.

"I didn't do most of the job. It was the o-line. I thank my o-line for blocking," said Sooalo, who moved here from American Samoa in May.

The Governors' special teams and defense made sure their offense didn't have to go very far to get into the end zone. Farrington's five scoring drives averaged just 39 yards.

A blocked punt by Isaiah Iuta gave Farrington the ball at the Kapolei 40 with 5:08 left in the first quarter. Two plays later, Sooalo scored.

"The main thing we do is special teams," Sooalo said.

After a three-and-out by Kapolei, James Smith's 31-yard punt return gave Farrington the ball at the Hurricanes' 20. Six plays later, Sooalo scored to make it 13-0 with 36 seconds left in the period.

Kapolei (7-5) made it 13-6 with 1:48 left in the second period and attempted an on-side kick, which was recovered by Farrington's Daniel Vaina at the Governors' 48. On the next play, Alefesio Iu hit Drake Miller in stride down the right sideline for a touchdown, which made it 19-6.

"We're happy the offense came out and gave us some production," Okimoto said.

Late in the third period, Farrington's Smith intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards to the 5. Two plays later, Sooalo scored his final rushing touchdown to make it 30-13.

"He ran hard tonight," Okimoto said. "We expected that from him. It was his first game as a running back. We practiced him all week and you never know, but he ran hard all week and he practiced at that position before."

Farrington's only long drive lasted 16 plays and covered 77 yards, and culminated with a 3-yard run by Anthony Noga to make it 37-13 with 5:01 left in the game.

Farrington rushed for 173 yards on 45 carries and Iu passed for 109 yards. Kapolei gained 180 yards with Noah Pascua hitting Mason Koa twice for touchdowns.

"Basically we got physically out-manned as the game went on," said Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez. "We weren't able to put together a drive on offense and our defense stayed on the field too long and we just wore down."

KAPOLEI (7-4) 0 13 0 6 — 19

FARRINGTON (5-3-2) 13 6 11 7 — 37

Farr — Apelu Sooalo 7 run (Lutua Folaumahina kick)

Farr — Sooalo 1 run (kick failed)

Kapo — Mason Koa 10 pass from Noah Pascua (kick blocked)

Farr — Drake Miller 52 pass from Alefesio Iu (kick blocked)

Kapo — Koa 44 pass from Pascua (Nacho Martinez kick)

Farr — FG Sooalo 29

Farr — Sooalo 1 run (Daniel Vaina pass from Iu)

Farr — Anthony Noga 3 run (Folaumahina kick)

Kapo — Nate Dixon 12 fumble return (pass failed)

RUSHING—Kapolei: Bryan Tabion 5-17, Jason Recamara 3-(minus 5), Pascua 4-16, Shenon Moore 3-7, Chase Alcott 1-3, Koa 3-17, Keli'i Aki 1-6, Trent McKinney 1-9. Farrington: Sooalo 29-145, Iu 6-19, John Manu 1-(minus 20), Anthony Noga 6-20, Vaina 1-9, Robert Molina 1-4, Cameron Matautia 1-(minus 4).

PASSING—Kapolei: Pascua 7-14-1—92, Koa 2-9-0—16, McKinney 1-6-1—2. Farrington: Iu 6-13-0—109.

RECEIVING—Kapolei: Alcott 1-17, Koa 3-69, Moore 2-9, Aki 1-(minus 1), Brandon McKenzie 2-6, Christian Estabillo 1-10. Farrington: Sooalo 2-31, Miller 2-56, Ani Isumu 1-10, Noga 1-12.

OIA White JV Final—Waipahu 7, Nanakuli 6

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.