Aiea’s Face-off With Mililani Sept. 24 Should Be Epic

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Aiea head football coach Wendell Say. Photo by Nathalie Walker, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The groundwork for Hawaii’s prep football teams is laid in late July during the grueling off-season work-outs away from the public eye. So with fall practice officially opening this week, MidWeek‘s West Oahu Islander takes a look at the upcoming seasons for Aiea and Pearl City (page 7).

Aiea’s schedule: Damien Aug. 13; at Kapolei Aug. 4; at Waianae Sept. 10; Leilehua Sept. 17; at Mililani Sept. 24; at Radford Oct. 1; and Campbell Oct. 8.

First, the bad news: Aiea plays four of its six OIA Red West games on the road, including back-to-back road dates at Kapolei and the toughest of venues, at Waianae, where the Seasiders are tough to beat. On the positive side, Aiea catches Leilehua at home and gets to host its interleague game with ILH foe Damien.

Fresh face to watch: Kamehameha transfer Taylor Taliulu. The brother of quarterback Freddy Taliulu, Taylor is projected to hold down a spot in the secondary.

Upset-alert game: At Radford Oct. 1. If Na Ali’i are to have a week where they don’t have their “A” game, this would be a likely time, as they will have just ended a brutal stretch against Kapolei, Waianae, Leilehua and Mililani.

Game of the year: At Mililani Sept. 24. The fourth in a brutal four-game stretch, this could be one of the Red West’s most exciting games, at least on paper. In Trent McKinney, Mililani boasts one of the top twoway threats in the state at quarterback. Conversely, Na Ali’i have been able to score a lot of points with their own run-and-shoot in recent seasons and will have a veteran behind center in senior quarterback Freddy Taliulu. A win here for Aiea could mean the difference between a good year and a great year. Also, first-year offensive coordinator Bobby George spent the 2009 season at Aiea working under coach Wendell Say.

Game of the year II: Versus Campbell at home Oct. 8. A matchup with Campbell is always made more interesting in that Sabers head coach Amosa Amosa had a great run at Aiea as offensive coordinator. This game figures to have huge playoff implications in the Red West. A high-scoring affair is expected as both teams are proficient with the run-and-shoot offense.

Worst case scenario in the OIA: 3-4 overall, 2-4 in the OIA Red West. Under this scenario, Aiea drops games to Waianae, Kapolei, Leilehua and Mililani and beats Damien, Radford and Campbell.

Best case scenario in the OIA: 5-2 overall, 4-2 in the Red West. Aiea posts wins over Damien, Kapolei, Leilehua, Radford and Campbell. Losses come to Waianae and Mililani on the road.

Make plans for the 2010 post-season if: Na Ali’i can hold up in the trenches. Last season was a rebuilding year for the line on both sides of the ball, and coach Wendell Say was confident after spring practice that his team would be up to the challenge this season. With Taliulu back in the fold and a host of play-makers at receiver and in the secondary on the defensive side, the team figures to be set at the skilled positions. With that in mind, solid play in the line could aid Na Ali’i's cause considerably.