Farrington Governors

Head coach/Offensive coordinator: Daniel Sanchez (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator: Al Tufono

Players to watch: SB Josiah Chaffin (5-8, 155, Sr.), SB Zechariah Moletau (5-8, 165, Jr.), LB Torence Liufau (6-0, 210, Sr.), LB Syracuse Kahakai (5-11, 200, Sr.), RB Viliami Tongotea (5-10, 200, Jr.)

Coach's words: "This season Farrington will be a young team, like most of the teams in the state. We will continue to play hard-nose, Farrington-way football. In the Open Division, it's always a tough schedule playing the top teams in the state weekly, there's no off week. We've got to focus on us - Farrington - get better each week and the rest will take care of itself." - Daniel Sanchez

SL's take: The Governors embark on their third season under the direction of Sanchez, but much like so many other squads out there this fall, they will be a big smaller than usual - not just in numbers, but also in stature. Sanchez counts about 50 players on his varsity squad (with another 40 or so on the JV) and while the offensive line still has some size, also known as the 'bamboolas,' it's not quite the depth of big boys up front that is typical of a Farrington team. One of those wide bodies the Govs will miss is Iapani Laloulu, a four-star rated guard who is now at Saint Louis. However, while Sanchez's squad lost Laloulu to the Crusaders, they gained Tongotea from them and all indications are that he will get the lion's share of the carries in the run game. Tongotea, whose older brother, Tevita, was a standout DT at Kailua, is a downhill, between-the-tackles type of runner, but his superb vision and ability to start and stop on a dime, as well as accelerate quickly through the hole, makes him a complete back. Tongotea's emergence in the run game would go a long way toward opening up the passing lanes for first-year QB Mark Moreno (5-8, 178, So.). Look for the Govs to get Moletau the ball in space on quick, short passes, while Chaffin is most dangerous when he can utilize his top-end speed to stretch defenses vertically. Moletau was the starting JV QB two years ago, which makes him a threat to throw the ball as well on jet-sweep handoffs. Liufau and Kahakai will be looked to anchor the defensive side of the ball, although Sanchez noted that he also has packages for them on offense as well. With Laloulu departed for Kalaepohaku, C Noah Faatea (6-2, 456, Sr.) and LT Korinth Fuiava (5-9, 239, Jr.) are the top players on the OL; Tuiava will also play DE on the other side of the ball. Farrington will have one of the top RBs in the state this fall in Tongotea, but a lack of depth and size could make for another long season.

SCHEDULE

Fri Oct 15	@ Campbell	L, 38-6
Sat Oct 23	Kahuku	L, 75-6
Fri Oct 29	Kapolei	L, 27-14
Fri Nov 12	@ Waianae	L, 49-20
Fri Nov 19	Leilehua	L, 9-6
Sat Nov 27	@ Mililani	TBD