DII Title Is Waipahu’s To Win In 2010

Wednesday - August 11, 2010
By Jack Danilewicz
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History has a way of repeating itself, and that’s good news for Marauder Nation, which saw Waipahu capture an OIA DII title in 2006. It’s hard not to see the team as the favorite in DII in 2010, given teams moving down from the Red West have traditionally finished no less than first or second in the White. In fact, since the OIA split into two divisions, the DII overall champ has come out of the West in six of seven years.

Waipahu’s public unveiling is Friday night in Wahiawa at a revamped Hugh Yoshida Stadium for a preseason game against Leilehua.

The fall schedule also includes McKinley Aug. 20 (at Roosevelt), Nanakuli Sept. 3, Kalani Sept. 11 (at Waialua), Kalaheo Sept. 25 (at Kailua High), Pearl City Oct. 1, Kaimuki Oct. 8 and Anuenue Oct. 15.


 

Breakingg downn thee schedule: Don’t expect any complaints from fans, as Waipahu has only one true road game (Sept. 11 at Waialua). The other two road games are at neutral sites. The toughest stretch begins in late September.

Can’t-misss gamee I: Pearl City Oct. 1. As the Chargers proved with their upset win over Aiea last fall, they are clearly a program on the rise, and this is their perfect opportunity to make a statement. Geography alone would make this a good matchup, but both teams figure to be in the mix for the White title, so there’s a good possibility the league champion could be determined by the outcome of this game. The good news for Waipahu is that the game is at home.

Can’t-misss gamee II: Kalaheo Sept. 25. The Mustangs’ execution of the veer offense makes them a real headache for any team to prepare for, especially when you haven’t seen them for a few years. Simply put, Kalaheo doesn’t make mistakes, which is one reason the program has thrived with small rosters. The schedule lines up nicely for Waipahu in August and early September, so expect the Marauders to be 4-0 heading into this game. Equally huge matchups follow, so Waipahu will have to avoid looking ahead. This also is the last road test of the season.


Can’t-misss gamee III: Kaimuki Oct. 8. On paper, the Marauders’ two biggest games are obviously Kalaheo and Pearl City, back-to-back weeks. If Waipahu is to suffer a letdown, this is probably the time for it. Like Waipahu, Kaimuki also moved down to DII after two years of playing the likes of East DI powers Kahuku and Castle, and it should be in the hunt for the title. A Kaimuki win would hardly qualify as an upset, given the Bulldogs’ own success in DII in recent years, which included a 2007 OIA title.

Worst-casee scenario: The Marauders go 6-2 in the White, with wins over Nanakuli, McKinley, Kalani, Waialua, Kaimuki and Anuenue, and losses to Kalaheo and Pearl City.

Best-casee scenario: The Marauders run the table in the White, beating all eight opponents, and are the top seed for the OIA’s post-season.

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