This is a classic case of something that may look good on paper and works fine against an average defense.

Waipahu proves that it is far beyond average.

Pearl City lines up in its usual shotgun, four-wide set. Waipahu had already recovered a Chargers fumble on a run play, but the Chargers go back to it on first down at its 25-yard line in the first quarter. What makes this play intriguing is that Lahainaluna, Waipahu’s opponent on Friday night, sometimes makes use of pulling linemen, as well.

The Chargers send their left guard and left tackle immediately to the right side on the snap, while the right guard and right tackle make initial push and release. This creates opportunity for a quick, strong defensive line.

Waipahu’s right defensive tackle, Numa Viliamu (52) instantly fills the gap left behind by the pulling guard. Pearl City’s center (77) is too late to get a piece of Viliamu (5-foot-9, 225 pounds), who is in the backfield in just 1.1 seconds.

While this breakdown unfolds, the right guard who had released now needs to stop the middle linebacker, Wesley Nagaseu (9). Instead, Nagaseu waltzes into the backfield as well, while the right guard and right tackle depart to the next level, blocking nobody.

This leaves Pearl City’s remaining three blockers to contend with six Waipahu defenders, including defensive back/linebacker/rover Beaver Lagima (7).

Waipahu’s team mentality on defense probably would’ve slowed down this play even if the numbers were even. Defensive end Tafatolu Naea (44) took on both pulling blockers to free up his teammates, while D-tackle Travis Teofilo (43) practically followed Naea.

Teofilo grabs the back of Naea’s jersey and tails him to help smother the play on the edge. With Naea, Teofilo and Lagima crowding the play, running back Rakeel McMillian has almost no choice but to cut back inside. That’s where Nagaseu (5-11, 240) blasts the ballcarrier, forcing a fumble that is recovered by Teofilo.

It was a numbers battle, but it was also a demonstration in smart, patient, precise defensive football by Waipahu. That’s why the Marauders are content to be so conservative offensively when they have a lead; it is defense where they use blitzes by Nagaseu and Lagima to keep the offense thinking twice.