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A Look Ahead For What’s In Store For West Football Fans

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As in past years, every game figures to be akin to a playoff encounter this fall in the OIA’s Red West Conference. The only thing perhaps more demanding will be the league playoffs, which begin at the end of October.

For Campbell, Kapolei and Waipahu, the coming weeks will be all about getting into position to get into position - for a favorable post-season seeding that is. A “two-minute drill” for the Sabers, Hurricanes and Marauders follows as they tackle their respective Red West schedules.

Campbell

Players to Watch: RB/SB Samson Anguay, T Mason Mau, DL Odaunus Mataio, SB Jordan Szadkowski, QB Maika Ulufale, DL Kelaiah Fonoti, ILB Tyson Tynanes, OLB Giovanni Stevenson, T Nofoa Laolagi

MVP: Samson Anguay. UH-bound receiver and return specialist remains one of the state’s most exciting players since his sophomore year.

What we like: Play-makers everywhere on the roster. The Sabers should once again be able to score a lot of points in a variety of ways.

Must-see game: Sept. 5 at Waianae. The Seariders showed their ability to play physical in their win over Kapolei in Week Two. Can they handle the speed of Campbell’s run-and-shoot offense? The game figures big on the schedule for another reason, as they follow up with games versus Mililani, Leilehua and rival Kapolei in successive weeks.

Upset Alert: Oct. 9 versus Nanakuli at home. As this game will come a week after the Sabers enjoy an off-week on their schedule, this is the perfect opportunity for a letdown.

Make plans for the State Tournament if: The Sabers can average 21 points per game, offensively. Campbell’s defense should be able to keep them within striking distance. In a Red West Conference stacked with good defenses, their fate should be tied to their offensive output.

Kapolei

Players to Watch: AP Shaydon Akuna, QB Noah Pascua, LB/RB Dustin Elisara, DB/R Donnie King, C Paul Belford, OL/DL Foi Foi, OL/DL Nico Uti, OL/DL Alex Paiva and OL/DL Nick Ulu

MVP: Shaydon Akuna. A safety, linebacker and wide receiver, he is currently the top-rated Division I college recruit in Hawaii’s class of 2009, according to Rivals.com. In a Red West loaded with talent, Akuna is one opposing teams will be hard-pressed to have an answer for.

What we like: Veteran quarterback Noah Pascua. With his experience in managing the spread-option offense, the Hurricanes should be in every game.

Must-see game: Sept. 25 versus Campbell at home. Emotions always run high when the teams meet, especially given that Kapolei head coach Darren Hernandez is a Campbell alum and former head coach of the Sabers. The game should figure even bigger on each team’s schedule as they will be trying to position themselves for the post season. This is the first meeting between the teams since 2007, when Campbell escaped with a 14-7 win over the Hurricanes on their homecoming.

Upset Alert: Sept. 18 at Waipahu. A Marauder win would hardly qualify as an upset win, but from the Hurricanes’ vantage point, this is a must game, as it will come in between games versus Leilehua and rival Campbell.

Make plans for the State Tournament if: The Hurricanes can stop the run game, defensively. There are plenty of play-makers in the secondary if they can make teams go to the air.

Waipahu

Players to Watch: RB Victor Moananu, LB Asalemo Fruean, QB Joshua Lacar

MVP: RB Victor Moananu

What we like: Waipahu’s one-back spread option. The Marauders can always be counted on to move the chains and control the clock with their run game.

Must-see game: Friday night’s contest at Mililani. With their win over rival Leilehua Aug. 21, the Trojans served notice they will be in the hunt for the Red West title. This game marks the first of tough back-to-back road games for Mililani, which follows with a visit to Campbell Sept. 11. For the Marauders, it’s a perfect opportunity to score a signature win to build off of for the rest of the season.

Upset Alert: Sept. 11 at Nanakuli. Coming as it does between games against Mililani and rival Kapolei, the Marauders’ matchup at Nanakuli is a perfect “trap” game for Waipahu.

Make plans for the State Tournament if: The Waipahu offensive line can play up to its potential. It’s no secret that they want to run the ball. The run game (and the play-action passes that go with the threat of a strong run game) begins in the trenches.