Baldwin players huddle up during an afternoon practice. Kalani Takase | SL

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Lahainaluna players participate in a drill during an afternoon practice. Kalani Takase | SL

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ScoringLive hit the road yet again last Friday, this time calling Maui our “mobile office” while we visited Lahainaluna and Baldwin to shoot our 16in16 segments.

After a quick lunch at the ever-popular Tasty Crust Restaurant in Wailuku – and a stop off at Tasaka Guri Guri – it was off to West Maui to check out the reigning Division II state runner-up Lunas. We caught up with co-head coach Garret Tihada at “The Imu,” the Lunas’ pristine field-turf laden gem of a facility above the sleepy town of Lahaina.

 Here are some observations of the Lunas:

-Lahainaluna returns most of its core players from a team that was one minute and 53 seconds from a state title in 2012.

-The Lunas have been working hard in the weight room – with 5 a.m. lifting sessions during the summer – in preparation for another state title run.

-Senior free safety Kiko Fonohema was the starting quarterback a year ago, but is now able to focus on his defensive assignment with the emergence of junior QB Sione Filikitonga.

-The Lunas are also strong on the interior line where seniors Hercules Mataafa (6-4, 230) and Pousima Galoia (6-4, 340) and junior Connor Mowat (6-0, 220), anchor the trenches.

-Tihada and co-head coach Bobby Watson (who began coaching at the school in 1981) are focusing on the little things early this season. Following a warm-up session, the team spent about 25 minutes on special teams.

-The Lunas’ Wing-T offense is somewhat symbolic of the program itself. The carries in the run-heavy offense are typically split between three or four backs, so it’s unlikely one guy will load up the stat sheet. Lahainaluna’s players – many of whom play both ways – have embraced that selfless attitude over the years.

-The expectation around Lahaina is a MIL title this season – the consensus is that the Lunas are the best team on the Valley Isle – but this may be their best shot at a state crown. With 10 returning starters in 2013, Lahainaluna could be the team to end Iolani’s string of six consecutive state championships.

We left Lahaina in the late afternoon to get back to Wailuku in time to visit the Baldwin Bears and their first-year coach Keneke Pacheco.

 Here are some observations of the Bears:

-Numbers are uncharacteristically low for a Baldwin team that has dominated the Division I scene on Maui for the last decade. I counted about 40 players suited up for practice that day.

-Obviously, one player that was missing was senior LB Jordan Hoeim, whose de-commitment from a University of Oregon-scholarship and consequent retirement from football has been reported by various media sources. The Maui News’ Rob Collias spoke with Hoeim earlier this week and wrote this piece that ran in Tuesday’s paper. 

-The Bears who were there were enthusiastic and energetic during an efficient practice session. Pacheco, who has coached for 13 seasons at Baldwin, is trying to instill discipline and work ethic, but mostly teamwork.

-A replacement for now-UH receiver Keelan Ewaliko – the Bears’ former Johnny Manziel-like QB – must be found. Jeremiah Padillo took most of the first-team reps the day we were at practice. Padillo, who played two JV seasons before taking 2012 off, is long (6-3) and lean (185 lbs.) and obviously lacks varsity game experience, but has a strong arm and good vision.

-Seniors Alexander “Alika” Ezera and Tevarua Eldridge will be key two-way players for Baldwin this season. Ezera, who is 6-foot and 250 pounds, will play center and defensive end, while Eldridge, who is 6-2 and 230, will line up at tight end and middle linebacker.

-The players and coaches in this program are working hard to stay positive and put behind the very-public events of the offseason. Credit Pacheco for taking the lead and attempting to get the Bears back on track. Expectations can be high from Baldwin supporters, but the former special teams and running backs coach is quick to quell any talk of wins and losses and instead redirects the conversation toward effort and attitude.

After we wrapped things up at Baldwin, we picked up some omiyage from Homemaid Bakery and had dinner at Koho’s in the Kaahumanu Mall prior to our return flight to Honolulu … but not before a quick stop at Krispy Kreme, of course!