The Fagaitua High School Football team arrived safely in Hawai’i last week for their two week tour to expose the players to off island competition, and they are ready for their first match against Mililani High School tonight at 6:00 p.m. at Mililani stadium.

According to a press release from the team officials in Hawaii, the team arrived safely in Honolulu, and they were greeted by families and friends, especially the Viking Alumni Association (VAA) President, Richard Lemaota and Officers.

The VAA hosted a brunch for the team at Manoa Valley Park before the team checked in at their hotel.

During their visit to the University of Hawaii, the team was greeted by Coach Keith Upuresa and Penitito Fa’alologo of the Viking Alumni, who spoke to the teams about the struggles of student athletes and what it takes to play at the next level while keeping good academic standards. Afterwards, the team took a tour to the Athletics Complex.

The Saturday Scrimmage vs Campbell High School at Aiea High School was well attended by the Viking fans and friends. Vikings donated gifts of ‘ie lavalava’ with the school colors and cases of wahoo to the Campbell team coach Amosa Amosa and all of the players.

The scrimmage kickoff was at 5:00 p.m. and the format was set up so that each team gets 10 plays offense and 10 plays defense. Fagaitua was on offense first and drove the ball from their  own 20 yard line to Campbell’s 20 yard line with great running by Oly Ta'ase #5 and the Oly keeping one of the stingy defense in OIA at bay for the entire scrimmage.

Sam Talivaa #4 and Gus Poyer #2 in the second series. with just four plays into the series, Oly Ta'ase made it into the end zone. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Amosa they scored on their first drive with their passing attack and that was the only time they were able to get into the end zone in the entire scrimmage.

Under defense coordinator Meafou Sagapolutele they adjusted and the defense played lights out with team effort —with seven sacks and caused three turnovers as two possibly returned for touchdowns as #45 Tomkins Siliga picked up a fumble on Campbell’s 20 yard line and ran in for a TD along with #36 Suiaunoa Viliamu picking up a loose ball from the 40 yard line and going in untouched for a TD.

#55 Blessman Taala (2 sacks) #53 LJ Te'o (2 sacks 2 TFL) #36 Suiaunoa Viliamu (1 sack) #8 Isaia Gasetoto (1 sack) #44 Kiso Aab (1 sack)  FS Lafaele Simanu controlled the back field. 

The team received generous monetary donations from the Samoan Community in Hawai’i, together with families and friends who turned up to show their support for the team.

Marcus Mariota’s parents attended along with Marcus’ little brother who has signed with Oregon University. The parents have made a pledge on behalf of Marcus Mariota with the NFL partnership verbally giving $10,000 to the Fagaitua Athletic program. Marcus’ father is a Fagaitua Alumni.

Rep. Legaee Palepoi Mauga spoke on behalf of the Governor and the audience to say thank you for a well played game.

The team schedule for next week includes their fundraising at the Samoana Congregational church in Waipahu Kunia on Thursday, August 13, 2015, and Paul Ieti will be performing that night.

On Friday next week, the team will visit Kapolei High School coordinating with Easter Reid-Trani with an academic workshop, and the team will watch the match between Kapolei HS against Kahuku Red Raiders later in the evening.