Maui Sabers

Head coach/Offensive coordinator: Robert Dougherty (1st season)
Defensive coordinator: Aylett Wallwork

Players to watch: LB/RB Lafaele Falekaono (6-0, 195, Sr.), WR/DB Zach Dando (5-11, 170, Sr.), OL/DL Viliami Vakalahi (6-3, 300, Jr.), QB Tavita Tufaga (6-2, 185, Jr.), OL/DL Dakota Stutzman (6-0, 250, Sr.)

Coach's words: "I think the kids are excited just to get back on the field and compete so that's really what we're focusing on just getting these kids really to compete and giving these kids an avenue to get out and compete again and not sure what to expect from rest of MIL, my first year, kids are working hard, and they have good attitudes, so I think we'll be competitive and I think they'll have fun which is the most important thing, to be honest." - Robert Dougherty

SL's take: The Sabers are under the direction of a new coach in Dougherty, who was formerly the athletic director at Seabury Hall. Dougherty has an extensive coaching background, having served as head coach of three different high schools in California from 2000 to 2009 and also at the College of Sequoias from 2009 to 2013. The former quarterback played college football at Boston University and professionally in the CFL and brings a wealth of knowledge to a Maui High program that is seeking a return to the state tournament for the first time since 2018. Maui narrowly edged Kauai by a score of 20-19 to open the 2019 season, then went on to lose all eight of its MIL contests that fall. The Sabers were shut out three times that year and averaged just 11.2 points per game, while opponents feasted for 30.6 points per game. The offense should be much improved this year. Tufaga played his freshman year on the Sabers' JV squad before transferring to La Habra (California) for the 2020 season, but has returned to Maui for his junior campaign. Tufaga is athletic with a strong arm; his skillset will be put on display in the Sabers' uptempo spread offense. Falekaono and Coby Wakayama (5-9, 175, Sr.) will contribute at both RB and LB. Dando possesses the speed to get by DBs and is also an adept route-runner who has been garnering some attention at camps over the summer. Stutzman and Valakahi will be key pieces on both lines. Toa Afemui (6-2, 185, Sr.) was a back-up QB as a sophomore in 2019, but has shifted over to the defensive side of the ball and will be the centerpiece of the secondary.

SCHEDULE

Fri Oct 22	@ Lahainaluna		L, 24-0
Sat Oct 30	KS-Maui	at War Memorial	W, 34-26
Sat Nov 13	Baldwin	at War Memorial	W, 40-0
Fri Nov 19	@ Kekaulike		W, 36-0
Sat Nov 27	Lahainaluna	at War Memorial	L, 26-9
Sat Dec 11	Baldwin	at War Memorial	W, 32-22