Several days ago I was riding the Aua aiga bus from the maketi with players from Fagaitua. Just regular good kine respectful kids.
Now the Fagaitua High School kids have become superb ambassadors for the territory as they conquer Hawaii with kindness, class, and awesome physicality.

And just like our recent Manu Samoa vs NZ All Blacks "fiva"...get ready American Samoa... the Fagaitua Vikings take on Honolulu's premier football legend, St. Louis School August 21, with the game live streaming to American Samoa. St. Louis is the school of Hesiman/NFL QB Marcus Mariota, the late Governor Peter Tali Coleman, and plentee of American Samoa's leaders and football greats.

Hmmm...streaming video? Not only will Fagaitua have to step up their game, but so will ASTCA and Bluesky. ASTCA has been turning on their fiber optics business by business and soon home by home. Bluesky is reorganizing their bandwidth. Both have had some growing pains, but I have faith they will have it together for this big game.

Just remember, growing pains are necessary to growing. So while I couldn't meet several Samoa News deadlines last week due to internet dramas, I have faith that it will get better than it has ever been. I just love it when sports and technology come together so the territory is there enjoying every play, every cheer, live... not like the old days watching a tape delay a week later.

The Samoa News incorrectly indicated that the Fagaitua vs Miliani clash was a game. Nope. After calling the OIA (Oahu's governing high school sports body) and Mililani High School's administrator I came to learn that this was a scrimmage between Fagaitua's best and Mililani's 2nd team.

Huh? Mililani apparently has some sort of date itself with St. Louis and wasn't allowed to play its 1st team. So instead of your expected spot on Samoa News sports story (like the excellent reporting from our own Ausage Fausia at the Pacific Games) you are going to get Cool Stuff observations and impressions from the sidelines.

Overview. The Fagaitua Vikings are exceptionally tough and disciplined, with impressive skills at all positions. The offensive line appears to be in synch as power runners Oly Ta'ase, Gus Poyer, and Sam Talivaa dash largely untouched through gaping holes. Raemos Fano has excellent ball handling skills, flawlessly handing off and pitching to his backs. With those ball handling skills I wouldn't be surprised if Fano pulls the ball out of Oly's gut and runs it himself fa'a Mariota.

Wow...Raemos also launched a few downfield to Malaki Peko Thompson and Thomas Kitiona that shocked me and the entire Mililani home crowd stands. It seemed to be a tendency that Coach Ta'ase would not want me to express...but...most of the night Fagaitua seemed to be running to their left side.

On defense, the defensive secondary was tenacious with Lafaele Simanu intercepting a second half pass. The defensive line was solid stalwarts, who once they rid themselves of their conservative style and play with reckless abandon...will be a force to reckon with and fear. The linebackers caused some havoc, and appear to have the mindset and mobility to also be special as they and the season develop.

Pooch's coaches seem smart with the ability to condense complex terms and strategies into understandable terminology for the kids. A few staff arms around the few that needed comforting was reassuring that the kids are recognized as kids, and that the Fagaitua community truly cares about them.

Fagaitua's fans were extremely supportive of the Vikings, did not heckle the opposition, and remained seriously intent the entire game. The players fed off the energy from the fans like it was a home game.

The Vikings always remembered their beloved Samoan culture, as the Lt. Gov and opposing Miliani coaches and team were recognized with gifts of t-shirts and lava lavas, prayers were made, and their family's recognized. One minor error was the kids getting fired up post game to do their "Haka"....nope...sorry Fagaitua kids...back to class. Fagaitua and Samoans DO NOT DO A HAKA...they do a SIVA TAU.

Start prepping your game party now for Fagaitua making a statement vs St. Louis on August 21. Put together a party, do some grilling/BBQ, order a tray of tacos from Evalani's, a pan of roast pork and Carrot Cake from Emelios Restaurant, or a pizza from Tropical Pizza Tafuna. This is a breakout moment for American Samoa on a Hawaii stage that could provide opportunities for national college scholarships for not only Fagaitua players but for those back home as players are tracked season long.

Cool Stuff salutes all of American Samoa's high school students. Your future is now in academics and sports. Make the most of it. We are watching at the Samoa News and will publish stories and photos of your accomplishments. You make us all proud.

Go Vikings! Go Amerika Samoa!