It has been quite the endeavor.
Three weeks on the road. More than 2,500 miles from home. An organized brigade of 45 proud Vikings from Faga’itua High School, a powerhouse in American Samoa. The Vikings, who have been on Oahu since Aug. 1, will never forget this voyage north. It all culminates on Friday at Aloha Stadium when Faga’itua takes on Saint Louis, the No. 2-ranked team in the Star-Advertiser Football Top 10.
"They’re a good football team from what I saw," Crusaders coach Cal Lee said. "They’re aggressive and try to spread you out. More of a running team with the trips, stuff like that."
The Vikings scrimmaged Campbell and Mililani in early August. The Trojans held out their starters in that Aug. 7 matchup and the visitors won a close battle in that game-format scrimmage. Mililani played Saint Louis in a game-style scrimmage the following day, winning 41-21.
"We were glad to have an opportunity. We spoke about it when we set up our (scrimmage), so I knew from the beginning," Faga’itua coach Suaese "Pooch" Ta’ase said of Mililani’s plan to sit out starters. "It was great to be on that field. Eye-opening for our players. It was their second team and they were so good. That’s how great their program is."
The Vikings have won 11 championships since 1983. This fall’s squad features several potential college prospects, including linebacker Oly Ta’ase, defensive lineman Blessman Ta’ala and safety/running back Ferrin Manuleleua. Gus Poyer, a rugby player, is another standout. Ta’ase, a nephew of the coach, and quarterback Raemos Fano are among the players who are already academically qualified.
Ta’ala (6 feet 2, 265 pounds), who is a junior, caught the eye of Mililani coach Rod York.
"They have a dominant D-line with a top recruit in No. 55," York texted about Ta’ala. "This team could compete well in Division I in Hawaii. They’re loaded with athletes who are physical and can run well. They play with passion and heart. They will be up for the game."
Fano has a younger brother on Oahu who is receiving medical treatment. Their family relocated while Fano stayed back home.
"He made the sacrifice and still carries a 3.9 (grade-point average)," Ta’ase said.
Suiaunoa Viliamu and Tomkins Siliga have also made standout plays in Faga’itua’s scrimmages on Oahu.
Taking on Mililani in a scrimmage two weeks ago was one way to prepare for Saint Louis and its explosive offense. Junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has 15 college scholarship offers, has been magnificent in preseason scrimmages.
Saint Louis is healing up slowly. Offensive lineman Nate Herbig (Stanford commit) and wide receiver Drew Kobayashi (Cal commit) may see action Friday night. Safety Isaiah Tufaga will be back in two weeks.
"They want to get in there. They worked hard through all the summer. The good thing about it is they’ll be back," Lee said.
TODAY’S GAMES
Kaiser (0-2, 0-1 OIA D-I) at No. 4 Kahuku (2-0, 1-0) — Last year, the Cougars upset the Red Raiders, who committed seven turnovers. Kahuku has outscored its two opponents 77-7.
No. 5 Kamehameha (2-0, 0-0 ILH) vs. Hilo, Wong Stadium — Last week’s school-record-breaking performance by Warriors sophomore QB Thomas "Boogie" Yam certainly has the Vikings’ attention. Boogie fever has Kamehameha scoring 43 points per game. Senior wide receiver Kumoku Noa has scored six TDs — four through the air and two on special teams.
Waianae (1-1, 1-0 OIA D-I) at Castle (1-1, 1-0) — Knights QB Willie Ewaliko has been a dynamo. He passed for 260 yards and four TDs in a 33-32 win over Campbell last week. The Seariders escaped with a 43-37 victory over another offensive juggernaut, Moanalua, last week.
McKinley (0-2, 0-1 OIA D-I) at Waipahu (0-1, 0-1) — In the face of a lopsided defeat — and Mililani’s tenacious pass rush — Tigers QB Elyjah Badua managed to complete 58 percent of his pass attempts (11-for-19) last week. His counterpart Saturday, Blaise DeAsis, likewise was fairly efficient with a 54 percent completion rate in a blowout loss to Farrington.
Moanalua (1-1, 0-1 OIA D-I) at Aiea (1-1, 1-0) — After rushing for a whopping 230 yards in Week 1, Moanalua’s Michael Feliciano managed "only" 129 yards and two TDs in a close loss to Waianae last weekend. His 359 rushing yards leads the state. Na Alii are sky high after a comeback overtime win over Kaiser. Kobe Kato, who started as a sophomore last season, passed for 252 yards and five TDs. Four of the scoring strikes were hauled in by Pohaku Kealoha-Cambe.
Mission Viejo (Calif.) (0-0, 0-0 CIF South Coast League) vs. Baldwin (0-1, 0-0 MIL), War Memorial Stadium — The Diablos are ranked No. 20 in the CIF by MaxPreps. They were 12-2 last year, winning their league title. The Bears are coming off a 53-0 loss at Kamehameha.
Kalaheo (0-2, 0-1 OIA D-II) vs. Kalani (0-2, 0-1), Kaiser Stadium — Both teams are already chasing, thanks to a glut of contenders. Mark Lehmer passed for 231 yards and two TDs in Kalaheo’s loss to Nanakuli last week.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Campbell (0-2, 0-1 OIA D-I) at No. 1 Mililani (1-0, 1-0) — The defending state champions have no sense of complacency. "We are excited because it’s a conference game. This one counts," he texted. "This is why we’ve been working so hard."
No. 6 Farrington (1-0, 1-0 OIA D-I) at No. 7 ‘Iolani (2-0, ILH) — The Governors looked back in form last week. Challen Faamatau rushed for 102 yards and a TD on just eight carries against Waipahu. Justin Uahinui (two TD passes) and Bishop Rapoza (two TD passes) are sharing QB duties. The Raiders know about sharing. Three underclassmen are splitting snaps at QB, but their combined efficiency has been impressive. ‘Iolani has scored 85 points in two games. The defensive front has been stellar, led by pass rusher Christian Naeole.
No. 8 Kapolei (1-1, 0-1 OIA D-I) at No. 10 Kailua (2-0, 1-0) — The Hurricanes have faced two run-oriented offenses with mixed results, and Kailua promises to bring a lot of ground-and-pound to this matchup. Kapolei permitted more than 400 rushing yards in a win over Kaiser, then limited Kahuku to less than 200 rushing yards in a loss. Kailua’s commitment to the ground attack has helped Noah Auld emerge: 13-for-23, 164 yards, two TDs, no picks in a win over Leilehua.
Waialua (2-0, 1-0 OIA D-II) at Pearl City (1-0, 1-0) — The upstart Bulldogs have a prime opportunity to get leverage in the hotly contested conference race. They’ll have to contain Joe Maneafaiga, who rushed for 217 yards against Roosevelt.
Damien (2-0, 0-0 ILH) at Hawaii Prep (0-0, 0-0 BIIF) — The Monarchs have a long journey ahead with the flight to Kona and a 40-mile trek to the HPA campus for an afternoon kickoff. A win there sets up the possibility for all kinds of unprecedented feats, including an unbeaten record heading into the D-II state tourney.
Roosevelt (1-1, 0-1 OIA D-II) vs. Radford (1-0, 1-0), Aiea High School field — The Rough Riders’ momentum came to a halt in a 14-7 loss to defending OIA D-II champ Pearl City last week. The Rams had a forfeit win over Anuenue and have yet to play an official game — but they are loaded by D-II standards.
Honokaa (0-1, 0-0 BIIF) vs. St. Francis (1-1, 0-0 ILH), Ching Field (UH) — The Saints returned from Kona with a loss, and after this matchup with the Dragons, they still have a preseason matchup with Murrieta Mesa (Calif.) on Aug. 29. Matt Dacuycuy (111 rushing yards, two TDs) and Tyson Shimabukuro (95) spark the St. Francis offense.
Vincent Massey (Winnipeg, Canada) at Kealakehe (1-1) — The visiting Trojans lost at Leilehua two years ago, 65-6. The Waveriders are coming off a 37-0 loss at ‘Iolani, playing without five starters (injured). Earlier, though, Kealakehe beat Maui with a relatively healthy squad. Coach Sam Kaluhiokalani said his injured players needed at least two weeks to heal up, which means they will likely miss this game, too.
Kamehameha-Maui (0-1, 0-1 MIL) at Lahainaluna (1-1, 0-0) — A big test for the Warriors, who got 205 passing yards from Kainoa Sanchez in a loss to ‘Iolani two weeks ago. He was also intercepted three times. The Lunas, who ruled the MIL last year, have a multitude of new starters on both sides of the ball. Etuati Storer is the new QB, replacing Makoa Filikitonga (Western New Mexico).
Konawaena (1-0, 0-0 BIIF) vs. Kauai (0-1, 0-0 KIF), Vidinha Stadium — The Wildcats are coming off an 18-6 win over St. Francis. Sophomore Austin Ewing passed for 161 yards and two TDs. The Red Raiders lost to Damien 34-19 last week despite 128 rushing yards and two TDs by Justin Balisacan.
Pac-Five (1-0, 0-0 ILH) vs. Waimea (1-0, 0-0 KIF), Hanapepe Ballpark — The Wolfpack are finding their way. Kainoa Ferreira (14-for-36, 163 yards, one TD) and Ryan Johnson (7-for-22, 115 yards) shared QB duties in a 16-14 win over Kalani two weeks ago. The Menehune beat Waiakea 27-14 in Hilo last week.
Anuenue (0-2, 0-1 OIA D-II) vs. Kaimuki (0-1, 0-0) — Game forfeited by Anuenue.
