The arrow has been pointing upward for the Waipahu Marauders since Bryson Carvalho took over as head coach for the 2015 football season.
The trend was evident on the field and in the consciousness of the Oahu Interscholastic Association decision-makers. In the two seasons prior to Carvalho’s arrival, the Marauders went 2-7 and 1-7 and then suffered another 1-7 campaign in his first go-round. Ever since, it’s been all systems go, with an 8-3 mark in 2016 followed by a 10-1 record last season.
They’ve been nearly to the top of the mountain in Division II (36-35 loss to Waialua in the ’16 OIA title game; 53-50 loss to Konawaena in last year’s state semifinals), but that’s not the same thing as being at the summit. That’s what they intend to do this season, if possible, but the task will be tougher than ever. Due to their on-field success, the Marauders have moved up a class to D-I — an adjustment that won’t be easy.
To make it an easier landing, Carvalho scheduled some Hawaii football behemoths for scrimmages and a nonleague game. Last week, Waipahu scrimmaged Open Division foes Kahuku (the state Open runner-up) and Kapolei, and the Marauders host state Open semifinalist Waianae in a nonleague opener Friday.
“We’re scheduling this way to see where we can measure up against the Open Division kind of competition,” Carvalho said. “We want to see character and this will help develop it. If we’re down by a touchdown late in the game at the end of the season, I want to see players say, ‘Look, Coach, we’re still in this game.’ ”
Carvalho is still developing a receiver corps that was somewhat depleted by graduation. Matt Fiesta, who made a diving touchdown grab in the scrimmage against Kahuku, and Branson Reyes lead the way there, with Kapolei transfer Cody Marques at the quarterback spot.
“Last year, we had the luxury of four wides,” the coach said. “Anyone could go up and get it. We’re not as deep this year.”
The passing game is one thing defenses won’t be able to completely concentrate on when they play against Waipahu. That’s because there’s one special running back in the backfield for the Marauders. Alfred Failauga returns for his junior year. He’s the type of kid who can let the stats speak for themselves: 2,754 yards rushing, 422 yards receiving and 35 touchdowns in the two seasons combined.
It’s no wonder that the boy, who is quickly turning into a man, is getting looks from some D-I colleges, including Washington and Boise State.
Carvalho thinks other D-I schools will come calling.
“It would be stupid for any offensive coordinator to not run the offense around Alfred,” he said. “I’m not saying this to pump him up and I’m not overexaggerating, he is one of the best running backs in the state. Our offensive line (anchored by Savoir Iaulualo) is looking good, too.”
Linebacker Fiva Tulafale, safety Zeondre Benjamin and linemen Amo Montero and Kealii Barrett will be among the leaders on the defensive side.
“I can see our defense carrying us this season,” said Carvalho, who knows the Marauders will be treading on a rocky OIA-ILH alliance D-I road, with highly successful programs ‘Iolani, Leilehua, Damien and others standing in the way. “It’s going to be that kind of season with very tense games. We want to make sure we can execute. In football, things fall into place when you do the right things and treat people right and treat your job with integrity — like blocking the certain way you’re taught. It will definitely be tough competition, but I would not want it any other way.”
That 3-point loss to Konawaena in the state D-II semis should provide Waipahu with some fire, according to Failauga.
“Konawaena was a really good team and it was a good learning experience,” he said. “Losing will give us more motivation for this year. And challenging better teams (early this season) will get us to a better level.”
When the jewel of a new artificial turf field became a reality to start last season, the atmosphere at Waipahu got a big lift.
“I was leaving out the back room of my office recently and I saw the cans of paint that we used to mark the (dirt) field,” Carvalho said. “It’s a blessing to have this field and not have to paint it all the time anymore. I also like to walk off the field and not have mud all over me. This place was a mud bowl. I’ll never forget our first practice last year. The guys were screaming running across the track.”
DIVISION I CAPSULES
Aiea Na Alii
>> Head coach: Wendell Say, 27th season, 122-124-1 (.496)
>> Last year: 2-6, 2-5 OIA Blue, OIA first round
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/3 at Kaiser 7:30 p.m.
8/10 Nanakuli 7:30 p.m.
8/17 at Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
8/24 Damien 7:30 p.m.
9/7 at Radford 7:30 p.m.
9/14 Waipahu 7:30 p.m.
9/21 Leilehua 7:30 p.m.
9/29 Castle 6:30 p.m.
10/5 at Kailua 7:30 p.m.
10/12 ‘Iolani 7:30 p.m.
Castle Knights
>> Head coach: John Hao, second season (fourth overall), 18-12 (.600)
>> Last year: 3-6, 3-4 OIA Red, OIA first round
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/3 at Kapolei 7:30 p.m.
8/10 Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
8/18 at Leilehua 6:30 p.m.
8/24 at Waipahu 7:30 p.m.
9/8 at Nanakuli 7:30 p.m.
9/14 Radford 7:30 p.m.
9/21 Kailua 7:30 p.m.
9/29 at Aiea 6:30 p.m.
10/5 ‘Iolani 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Damien 6 p.m.
Damien Monarchs
>> Head coach: Eddie Klaneski, eighth season, 34-36 (.486)
>> Last year: 10-4, 5-1 ILH D-II, ILH D-II champions, D-I state final
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/10 at Radford 7:30 p.m.
8/18 at Nanakuli 6 p.m.
8/24 at Aiea 7:30 p.m.
8/31 at Mt. Spokane (Wash.) TBA
9/7 at Waipahu 6 p.m.
9/15 ‘Iolani* 4:45 p.m.
9/21 at Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
9/28 at Kailua 7:30 p.m.
10/6 at Leilehua 6 p.m.
10/13 at Castle 6 p.m.
* — at Aloha Stadium
‘Iolani Raiders
>> Head coach: Wendell Look, 28th season, 188-129-3 (.592)
>> Last year: 4-6, 3-3 ILH
Division II, state D-II semifinals
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/4 Kalani** 6 p.m.
8/11 Waipahu 3 p.m.
8/17 at Kailua 7:30 p.m.
8/24 at Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
8/31 Clackamas (Ore.) 3:15 p.m.
9/8 at Leilehua 6 p.m.
9/15 Damien* 4:45 p.m.
9/21 Radford 3:15 p.m.
9/29 at Nanakuli 6 p.m.
10/5 at Castle 7:30 p.m.
10/12 at Aiea 7:30 p.m.
* — at Aloha Stadium
** — at Kaiser Stadium
Kailua Surfriders
>> Head coach: Hau’oli Wong, fifth season, 14-20 (.412)
>> Last year: 4-5, 3-4 OIA Red, OIA first round
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/4 at Mililani 6:30 p.m.
8/10 Leilehua 7:30 p.m.
8/17 ‘Iolani 7:30 p.m.
8/24 at Radford 7:30 p.m.
9/7 at Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
9/15 Nanakuli 6:30 p.m.
9/21 at Castle 7:30 p.m.
9/28 Damien 7:30 p.m.
10/5 Aiea 7:30 p.m.
10/12 Waipahu 7:30 p.m.
Leilehua Mules
>> Head coach: Mark Kurisu, second season (third overall), 16-5-1 (.750)
>> Last year: 6-3, 5-2 OIA Red, OIA quarterfinals
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/3 Farrington 7:30 p.m.
8/10 at Kailua 7:30 p.m.
8/18 Castle 6:30 p.m.
8/24 at Nanakuli 7:30 p.m.
9/8 ‘Iolani 6 p.m.
9/14 Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
9/21 at Aiea 7:30 p.m.
9/28 at Waipahu 7:30 p.m.
10/6 Damien 6 p.m.
10/13 Radford 6:30 p.m.
Moanalua Na Menehune
>> Head coach: Savai’i Eselu, third season, 9-13 (.409)
>> Last year: 4-6, 3-4 OIA Blue, OIA quarterfinals
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/10 at Castle 7:30 p.m.
8/17 Aiea 7:30 p.m.
8/24 ‘Iolani 7:30 p.m.
9/7 Kailua 7:30 p.m.
9/14 at Leilehua 7:30 p.m.
9/21 Damien 7:30 p.m.
9/28 at Radford 7:30 p.m.
10/5 Waipahu 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Nanakuli 6:30 p.m.
Nanakuli Golden Hawks
>> Head coach: Kili Watson, second season, 1-7 (.143)
>> Last year: 1-7, 1-6 OIA Red
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/4 Roosevelt 6:30 p.m.
8/10 at Aiea 7:30 p.m.
8/18 Damien 6 p.m.
8/24 Leilehua 7:30 p.m.
9/8 Castle 6:30 p.m.
9/15 at Kailua 6:30 p.m.
9/21 at Waipahu 7:30 p.m.
9/29 ‘Iolani 6 p.m.
10/5 Radford 7:30 p.m.
10/13 at Moanalua 6:30 p.m.
Radford Rams
>> Head coach: Lon Passos, third season, 1-16 (.059)
>> Last year: 1-8, 1-6 OIA Blue, OIA first round
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/4 St. Francis 6:30 p.m.
8/10 Damien 7:30 p.m.
8/17 Waipahu 7:30 p.m.
8/24 Kailua 7:30 p.m.
9/7 Aiea 7:30 p.m.
9/14 at Castle 7:30 p.m.
9/21 at ‘Iolani 3:15 p.m.
9/28 Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
10/5 at Nanakuli 7:30 p.m.
10/13 at Leilehua 6:30 p.m.
Waipahu Marauders
>> Head coach: Bryson Carvalho, fourth season, 19-11 (.633)
>> Last year: 10-1, 7-0 OIA Division II, OIA D-II champions, D-II state semifinals
2018 SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
8/3 Waianae 7:30 p.m.
8/11 at ‘Iolani 3 p.m.
8/17 at Radford 7:30 p.m.
8/24 Castle 7:30 p.m.
9/7 Damien 6 p.m.
9/14 at Aiea 7:30 p.m.
9/21 Nanakuli 7:30 p.m.
9/28 Leilehua 7:30 p.m.
10/5 at Moanalua 7:30 p.m.
10/12 at Kailua 7:30 p.m.
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Compiled by Billy Hull, Star-Advertiser
