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Faga’itua Vikings aim to stay healthy through season

A look at the reigning champions of ASHSAA Football in the Varsity Division — Faga'itua High School "Home of the Vikings" — who are under the supervision and management of Head Coach Sua'ese Pooch Ta'ase (far left)

The reigning Champions of ASHSAA Football — the Pride of the Eastern Side, Faga’itua High School aims to stay healthy throughout the season, with the hopes of returning to the final game of the season, to reclaim a back-to-back championship title for the 2015-16 American Samoa High School Athletic Association Football Season.

 

Samoa News interviewed Faga’itua Vikings Head Coach, Sua’ese Pooch Ta’ase about their preparations for the new season.

 

He noted that its as norm —”… every year in the spring and then the summer and onto the opening of the season and to the postseason.”

 

Ta’ase stated, “We have enjoyed the journey,” the ups and downs of preparations and we "Know the Purpose" for our preparations, that what lays ahead of us, for our team and also our senior class, are further opportunities.”

 

Samoa News asked Ta’ase if he had made any changes to his program compared to the previous years, and he responded, “We have our core courses still dedicated to the Viking program and very thankful to our coaches (Jimmy Grey, Merton Hunkin, George Tafua, Salemalama Titi Tupuola, Sam Ta'ase, Vincent Taala, Ricky Fiso especially Coach Tupulua Bone Ta'ase and Taomaga Meafou Sagapolutele), who have all been committed to Fagaitua High School for a decade.”

 

He added, “We would like to say thank you to all our football players’ parents and especially all of our wives for their great support in our football coaching careers.”

 

When asked if the Troy Polamalu Faasamoa Initiative football camp had an impact on their team preparations, Vikings head coach said, “We would like to thank Troy and Theodora Polamalu and their foundation for the time and dedication to American Samoa, to the people in general and especially the student athletes.”

 

He explained, “The knowledge from the different coaches and players has helped our players become better football players for the upcoming season. We are also thankful for the stressing of academic standards (in order) to become a successful athlete through the game of football.”

 

As to their football team trip to Hawai’i this past August, Ta’ase said it had a powerful impact on their preparation process.

 

“We are just very thankful to the servants of God, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and the First Lady and DOE Director Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin Finau and all the parents of the student athletes, Principal Elvis Liufau and all our teachers, our President of the Booster Club Muagututia Moevasa Tauoa, and local businesses and all the people in American Samoa and Hawai’i, especially the Viking Alumni in Hawai’i (President Richard Lemaota) who made this event memorable.”

 

He added, “Aside from football we truly believe that our football team learned many important lessons from our trip.

 

“As we walked from the Pagoda Hotel to Ala Moana Park our players were able to see first-hand the homeless problem in Hawai’i and learned to appreciate what we have in American Samoa.”

 

“In our last walk before the August 21st game against St. Louis, we were able to give to the homeless people, who were living under the park trees. We gave them oranges, apples, water and food.

 

“It was a memorable moment, and we, the coaches, stressed to our players getting a good education and making the right decisions in life and following your faith" will help you avoid being homeless,” he said.

 

Ta’ase told Samoa News that “it was amazing to be on the same football field with an iconic coach — Cal Lee (St. Louis). The visit to Kapolei High School was an eye opening. The opportunity to talk with Mililani Head Coach Rod York and Maa Tanuvasa, it was amazing to talk football with these coaches. The opportunity to go to the Polynesian Culture Center and we are thankful to (Vatau Neria and Hipa Jr Neria) for their assistance, and Rev. Elder Falelua Lafitaga and the Kanana Fou Hawai’i church for their kindness in Hawai’i while the team was there, and with the many blessings we received.”

 

When asked by Samoa News about Faga’itua High School’s goal for this year’s football season, he stated, “Our goal for this year is to stay healthy and peak at the right time of the football season, and to make the playoffs.

 

“Every team this year has been preparing very well for this season and we (Faga’itua Viking Football Team) wish all the teams the very best from Leone (Arona Samoa), Tafuna (Okland Salavea), Voc Tech (Alvin Mamea) and Samoana (Pati Pati); and, may the best team win this year.

 

“We also would like to acknowledge the ASHSAA board and athletic coordinator Tumua Matuu and her crew, and the stadium personnel (including its director, Henry Tavake) and also the bus transportation drivers, as well as the family of referees for a successful season. Thanks also goes out to KHJ (Joey Cummings), Samoa News, KSBS and KVZK-TV for bringing football excitement to the people of American Samoa.”

 

Ta’ase added, “We would also like to acknowledge all of our families and businesses who are part and are involved with Faga’itua High School in every aspect. We want to save the best for the last, as we coaches want to THANK all our Viking Football Players from the young Vikings to the Senior Vikings for not settling for less.”

 

He concluded, “Thank you to all the football players for showing up and knowing the purpose why we are here — to represent our school, families, and our community. Thank you to all the Vikings Football players for your commitment and dedication.”

 

In closing, Ta’ase sends a message out to the EastSide supporters of the Vikings: “We would humbly like to ask the entire East Side to come with your Red gear and support your Vikings against the Tafuna Warriors.”