Waipahu Marauders ready for another Division I title chase

WAIPAHU — The end of the 2025 season for the Waipahu football team was not something to be proud of.

The Marauders looked every bit like a championship contender after racing to a 6-1 start, but injuries and inconsistency derailed the second half of the season. Waipahu dropped its final three games, including consecutive losses to eventual Division I state champion Kailua, ending what had once appeared to be a promising campaign.

Now, head coach Bryson Carvalho believes those lessons have helped shape a veteran group determined to return to the top of Division I football.

“The expectation and the standard is always going to be the same — to play at the highest level,” Carvalho said. “The goal is always to play into November.”

Carvalho, a Waipahu alumnus, returns for another season leading his alma mater alongside an experienced coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Zach Mauga returns to direct the offense, while Mathias Tuitele enters his second season as defensive coordinator after installing a unique defensive system that players have grown increasingly comfortable with.

“I thought we had a good offseason,” Carvalho said. “The kids have been real committed. We return our two coordinators, so that’s always good. Having guys familiar with the system on both offense and defense makes a big difference.”

The Marauders enter the season as one of the favorites in Hawaiʻi’s highly competitive Division I classification, where Carvalho believes nearly every matchup presents a challenge.

“I think Division I is the best division competition-wise in the state,” Carvalho said. “It’s always wide open. Every game can go either way.”

The foundation of Waipahu’s offense begins up front with one of the state’s most experienced offensive lines.

Twin brothers Pierce and Peyton Taumua return alongside Andrew Ponafala-Fruean to anchor a veteran unit expected to pave the way for one of the state’s top rushing attacks.

RB Rocco Silofau takes a handoff during a Waipahu football practice. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Running back Tristan Pacheco headlines the offense after emerging as one of Hawaiʻi’s premier ball carriers last season, while fellow running back Rocco Silofau provides a physical complement in the backfield.

“We have high expectations for our offensive line,” Carvalho said. “We return Tristan Pacheco, who I think was the state’s leading rusher, and we got a few additions at receiver. I’m excited about what our offense is capable of doing.”

Quarterback David Vidinha also returns after his 2025 season was cut short by a concussion, an injury Carvalho believes dramatically altered the trajectory of the Marauders’ season.

“I think the injury to David really affected us big time,” Carvalho said. “Having a backup plan, that’s always important.”

That lesson led Waipahu to bolster its quarterback room by adding sophomore Jacob Garcia, who transferred from Mililani during the offseason. Garcia has pushed Vidinha throughout the summer, giving the Marauders valuable depth at the position.

“All summer they’ve been competing,” Carvalho said. “Jake really picked up the system well. It’s neck and neck right now.”

Garcia believes the Marauders possess the talent to field one of the state’s most explosive offenses.

Jacob Garcia drops back to pass in a Waipahu football practice. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

“We’ve got a lot of weapons,” Garcia said. “The linemen, the running backs and the receivers all make my job easier.”

Waipahu’s receiving corps features returning playmakers Nazareth Failauga, Tyler Lim and Lyric Anuenue, while Saint Louis transfer Jayse Braun adds another weapon to an offense looking to replace production lost by graduated receivers Titan Figueroa and Jayvren Pinera.

The defense also returns much of its core.

Linebackers Christopher “Topher” Togiai and Colossus Letalu, defensive lineman Jordan Pefua and defensive back Jayboy Ganiron headline a group that Carvalho expects to take another step forward under Tuitele’s expanded defensive playbook. Legend Ramento also returns as another experienced contributor.

Ganiron, entering his senior season, believes the Marauders have developed a different mentality.

“I’m excited. This is my last year,” Ganiron said. “I’ve been here for all four years, ready to learn, compete and do my thing.”

He added that the defense has embraced a more aggressive identity.

“We got that dog mentality,” Ganiron said. “There’s a big difference with all the play calls. It’s way different, and it’s working for us.”

Waipahu will also look to replace several key graduates, including linebacker Wyatt O’Neill, linebacker Jhayean Baptista and defensive back Maddox Stewart.

Waipahu head coach Bryson Carvalho addresses the team after practice. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Despite the personnel losses, Carvalho believes leadership will determine whether the Marauders can avoid another late-season fade.

“I think staying healthy is one,” Carvalho said. “Trust each other, build the brotherhood we’ve always been known for, and have player leadership.”

Carvalho identified Togiai, Vidinha, the Taumua twins and Ponafala-Fruean as players capable of providing that leadership.

The Marauders open the 2026 season at home against Campbell on Friday, Aug. 7, beginning what they hope will be another march toward the postseason.

After capturing the OIA and Division I state championships in 2023, Waipahu knows it has the talent to contend again. This year’s challenge will be sustaining that level of play from August through November.