Waialua Bulldogs Set For 2010 Football Season

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Looking at the fall football season, Waialua plays Kalaheo Aug. 20 (at Kailua High), Kalani Aug. 27, Kaimuki Sept. 4 (at Roosevelt), Waipahu Sept. 11, Anuenue Sept. 18, Pearl City Sept. 25, at Nanakuli Oct. 2 and McKinley Oct. 8.

Breaking it down: Following the opener with Kalaheo, Waialua will go five straight weeks without a road game. Also, its bye week comes at the end, so the team has a week to heal up for the playoffs, if they make the post-season. On the negative side, Waialua draws three of what figure to be their toughest opponents - Kalaheo, Kaimuki and Waipahu - in the first four weeks.

Upset special: The best chance to make a statement early will come in week three against Kaimuki at Roosevelt Sept. 4. Kaimuki is moving down from the Red where it’s been battling the likes of Kahuku and Castle for the past couple of years and should match up well with everyone in the White. Kaimuki also is big and physical, and this game should give Waialua fans a good read.

Can’t-miss game: Versus Pearl City at home Sept. 25.This is the start of a three-game stretch (which includes games at Nanakuli and at home against McKinley) that will be critical to post-season hopes. The Chargers are an up-and-coming program, as their non-league win over Aiea proved last August, and a win over Pearl City would be huge for positioning, heading into the last two weeks of the White season. Opponent Pearl City must make sure it’s looking ahead to the Oct. 1 Waipahu game.

Can’t-miss game II: Waipahu at home Sept. 11. The Marauders return to the White this season after playing in Division I the past two seasons and automatically deserve mention as a favorite, given their dominance of the league in recent years. Waipahu’s triple-option flexbone scheme is hard to defend, and it figures to be one of the most physical teams in the White. As the third home game in a string of five straight for Waialua, the outcome could mean the difference between a good year and a great year for the Bulldogs.

Make plans for the post-season if: the Bulldogs can stop the opposing team’s running game. Their first three opponents - Kalaheo, Kaimuki and Waipahu - are teams that run the ball better than 60 percent of the time. How well Waialua defends in these games could help determine its post-season fate.

Worst-case scenario: 3-5 in the White Conference. Waialua defeats Kalani, Anuenue and Nanakuli and loses to Kalaheo, Kaimuki, Waipahu, Pearl City and McKinley.

Best-case scenario: 5-3 in the White Conference. Waialua defeats Kalaheo, Kalani, Anuenue, Pearl City and Nanakuli and loses to Kaimuki, Waipahu and McKinley.