As usual, Govs have big goals

It’s hard to imagine any coach getting more from Farrington’s offensive line than what the acclaimed "Bamboolas" have been giving in sweat and blood through the years.

But offensive line coach Aaron Kamau has been asking for more in the offseason, and so far he’s getting it, Governors lineman Jonathan Leusogi said.

"He’s been busting us,"said Leusogi, a guard who weighs in at 400 pounds. "He’s been running us,0 and that is so different than what we’re used to. Freshman year, the conditioning wasn’t so bad, but he wants more movement on the line, so we’re doing a real lot of running. He’s really killing us, but it’s all going to pay off."

The Bamboolas, a pet term originally given to the Govs line by former coach Skippa Diaz, are already masters at moving the pile.

And they look to do it again this season.

Louis Matagi, a 390-pounder, is a member of the guard tandem that combines to hit the scales at close to 800 pounds.

In Farrington’s West Coast offense, the tackles are smaller and quicker than the guards. Returning tackle Farao Maileoi will also be a big contributor in the trenches.

Three-year starter Montana Liana, a lefty, will again guide the offense.

"Every offseason, he has come back and improved," head coach Randall Okimoto said about Liana. "For instance, he wasn’t what you would call a mobile quarterback when he was a sophomore. Now, I consider him a mobile quarterback. It’s not necessarily speed, but he can elude the rush, and that’s a testament to his hard work."

Ranan Mamiya, a transfer from St. Francis who can play running back or wide receiver, is athletic and capable of big plays. He was a quarterback for the Saints.

Other top skill-position players returning on offense from the Governors’ 9-4 team of 2013 include running back Bugsy Tui and wide receivers DJ Chaffin and Siosi Pakileiata. They will be complemented by a host of sophomores, who will get their first tests in a scrimmage against Punahou on Saturday.

"This year, we have more discipline and everyone is willing to learn," Liana said. "Iguarantee we will win games and Iguarantee I will try to be the best leader on the field. Every drive, if players are getting tired, I want to be a motivator to finish the drive off, to not give up, and to get that touchdown or field goal."

Breiden Fehoko, a Texas Tech commit, anchors the defensive line, which will also be led by Tatum Tanuvasa.

Fehoko can play anywhere along the defensive front, lining up where the coaches think he has the best chance to take advantage of opponents and to make plays. Tanuvasa is an inside guy.

"Our goal as a defense is to take people’s heads off," said Fehoko, who kept on smiling throughout Wednesday’s practice. "I think we have a great defense.

"My personal goal is to win a state championship for the community and for the program, which has so much history behind it. Idon’t want to let them down."

Other defensive playmakers include middle linebacker Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo, defensive backs Andrew Aneki and Dylan Helsham, outside linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard and Pakileiata, who will play safety in addition to his duties on offense.

Tatupu-Leopoldo scored touchdowns three different ways against Moanalua a year ago –an offensive touchdown, a pick-six and a fumble recovery of a returned punt.

Getting over the hump of a state semifinal loss to Punahou is big on Fehoko’s mind, and he thinks it’s the small things on and off the field that will get them through — "being a student-athlete, getting to class, being on time, leaving the locker room clean."

Okimoto also said he thinks Farrington’s biggest weakness is an inability sometimes to pay attention to important and sometimes small details.

"It seems so close, but actually it’s pretty far," Okimoto said about making it to the state final or winning the state title. "Some of these kids have issues with what life has dealt and are in tough situations.

"Yet, what we accomplish has to come from them. We can’t be with them 24 hours a day. It’s not like we have a 48-week training program like they have at De La Salle (Calif.).

"We try to limit the distractions and try our best with getting them to be disciplined. When they’re not, they know it and when I’m (not happy) they’ll be doing gassers or 100 up-downs."

Leusogi, the 400-pounder, talked frankly about some of the disciplinary strides the Govs have made this year.

"All of these boys have been out here all summer and are trying to take the right steps every day,"Leusogi said. "Last year, we had some trouble with boys getting involved in gangs and fighting, even fighting and causing incidents on the team. This year, we are all trusting each other that that kind of stuff will never happen again.

"Even when we’re off the field, we are trying to do things right, whether it’s staying hydrated or keeping our minds right and staying out of trouble or helping to put away the equipment bags. Last year, some boys didn’t didn’t come to play when we had some hard times.

"This team is different. Our O-line is better. I love my team and Ithink we’re going to come out with a bang."