Waipahu Camp ‘Great’

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From adversity comes the ability to bounce back in fine fashion.

This was the prevailing theme in the off-season for the Waipahu High football program. The Marauders, who were the OIA Division II runner-up in 2004, slipped to 1-7 last fall, but the mood in spring camp was more that of a team that had gone 7-1 , said coach Sean Saturnio.

“Adversity isn’t a bad thing,” Saturnio admitted.“As a whole, we looked at the entire program. From top to bottom, we thought everyone needed to do a better job, including me. It was a year that probably gave us our greatest opportunity to grow as a program. We had one of the most successful springs that we’ve ever had.”

Instruction wasn’t limited to blocking schemes either. Saturnio has always embraced a holistic approach.“We had life skills classes every week.We talked a lot about becoming the type of men that the world needs and how they can be of service to others. One week a month, we got them together and had a ‘football theory’class.Kids love playing the game, but they don’t have any connection to how the game began and how it developed.”

The players were also diligent in the weight room,the coach said,and team unity remains strong as they look ahead to fall camp on July 31.

“A lot of these guys aren’t household names, but they’ve put in the work,” he said. “Every player, whether a starter or a kid who will have difficulty getting into the game, is a critical link holding our chain together.

“Our strength is that we’ve been battle-tested. Going through the struggles of last year, they know that they need to do things differently, and conditioning will always be a premium for us. We’ll always stay after it, from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.”

The Marauders’ overall team speed will also be a strength. “We have some nice talent at the skilled positions, and we have a nice corps of interior line guys.”

For defense, the good news starts with middle linebacker Ryan Beauchan, who packs 207 pounds into a 5-foot-10-inch frame. “He really stepped up,“Saturnio said.“We expect him to do a lot on the field. He’ll definitely contribute.”

If defenses can get by Beauchan, they’ll face strong safety Steven Berndt (5-9, 160), who will anchor the secondary. “He’s a sponge out there,“Saturnio said.“He’s a leader by example, and he takes care of business in the classroom.”

Leadership on offense will come from senior quarterback Gilchrist Fernandez, using Waipahu’s spread-option offense. Fernandez started every game in 2005.

“His strength is his maturity. He has a desire to get better,“Fernandez said.“In our offense, he has to make decisions in a split second.”

Saturnio also envisions six others - outside linebacker Cameron Hilongo,tackle/defensive end Castro Masaniai, defensive end Aaron Pa’ahana, single back Keo Palimo’o, slot back Matt Soueira and two-way lineman Robert Asui - to figure as impact players. Soueira rushed for over 800 yards as a running back for Kalaheo last season before transferring. He will switch to slot back at Waipahu.

“It’s going to be nice to be able to play him in space,“Saturnio said. “He has top-notch athletic ability.”

Asui transferred from Damien and “has a lot of potential,” Saturnio said.

Despite a strong returning nucleus,Waipahu also has its share of relative newcomers in the starting lineup when they open the season at Aiea on the Aug. 18 weekend.

“At certain positions, we have inexperience, but that can be overcome. You can get ready via practice, but nothing takes the place of game situations.We look great now, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”