A new West-Side weapon

It’s no secret that the Waianae football team’s offense is all about the power running game.

The big question is, how much will that outlook change now that the Seariders are installing the pistol offense?

Offensive coordinator Kana Kawai is all smiles when he talks about all of the possibilities of the new offense, even though he knows some of Waianae’s faithful fans are scratching their heads and asking why.

And to Kawai, who quarterbacked the Seariders in 1996 and 1997, it’s all about creating tempo.

"We will still be a running team," he said. "This (change) is more about opening up the game for us. We will have a little more passing and getting more people out of the box. It will give other teams something new to look at and prepare for."

Expect Waianae to get to the huddle and line up a lot quicker than in the past in an effort to keep the defense off guard.

"Why lay back?" asked head coach Daniel Matsumoto, rhetorically. "That quick pace is what everybody is doing. Why give defenses time to get ready?"

In the pistol, aside from the quicker pace, the quarterback doesn’t go under center or stand 7 yards behind in the shotgun. Instead, he lines up 4 yards back, and as a result, has much better vision and area to work with than under center.

"We’re still going to ground and pound and run right at you," running back Niko Kala-Mahiai said. "When you least expect it, we’re going to throw over you."

Senior Ioane Kaluhiokalani is the likely starter at quarterback. He is the cousin of last year’s starter, Kekoa Kaluhiokalani Jr., and possesses a solid arm with good field generalship.

Aside from Kala-Mahiai, other Waianae offensive weapons include halfback Johnny Barbieto, tailback Jurick Valdez, and wide receiver Stanton Spencer.

"Spencer is going to be a big asset for us," Kawai said. "He is the prototype receiver, something Waianae has rarely ever had."

Spencer, also a prolific kicker and punter, has increased his distance considerably on kickoffs and field goals from last year, Matsumoto said.

The Seariders are gearing up for scrimmages against Nanakuli on Thursday and ‘Iolani on Saturday in preparation for their interleague opener against ILH powerhouse Kamehameha on Aug. 8.

Defensively, linebacker Justice Jardine and lineman Maika Koko will be among the leaders, along with Kala-Mahiai at defensive back.

"We are going to be all business on the field," Jardine said. "We are always trying to make everyone else on this team better. We are like family and we play for the community and we want to let everyone know that we’re trying to get to states this year."

Waianae is coming off a successful 7-3 season that ended with an OIA quarterfinal loss to Kahuku for the third straight year. Those three disheartening "game over" results are firing up the Seariders, who don’t want to suffer the same fate and might be able to get some redemption in the regular-season finale against the Red Raiders at Aloha Stadium on Oct. 4.

"The coaches are saying don’t let up on any play and to play every game as if it’s our last game," Jardine said. "They try to instill in us that when opponents are playing Waianae, they  are going to know it’s going to be a big game and a tough game. We are trying to play our football and bring back the old Waianae — feared by everyone."

Kalalena Mauga, who is 6 feet 2, 300 pounds, will start at left tackle and anchor the offensive line along with Nayton Kuressa and Jonah Maga, who is up from the JV squad.

"We want what every team wants," Mauga said. "We want to make it to the ‘ships.’"

Matsumoto has been highly pleased with the commitment made by all of the Seariders over the summer, and he believes that kind of effort, if it continues through the season, will pay big dividends.

"The team has been meeting five days a week all summer," Matsumoto said. "They’ve invested themselves and are taking things more seriously. We didn’t do the pass league this year, which took up too much time. In the past, we only met three times a week. It takes a big commitment and some kids cut themselves already by not coming out."

Pass league for Waianae? No need when you’re pounding the rock.

Matsumoto said captains will be chosen at the team’s camp this weekend, when the players will create their goals for the season.

"Our primary goal is to be No. 1," Matsumoto said. "That’s always the way it is."