Waipahu RB Tofi Seei carries the ball against Westlake. Eugene Tanner | SL

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082313_ET_Westlake_Waipahu_01_0296.JPG - Eugene Tanner | SL

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WAIPAHU - The visiting Westlake Warriors (Calif.) dominated in all facets of the game to rout host Waipahu (1-1), 59-8. The two teams first played in 2007, when Westlake defeated Waipahu by the score of, 21-0.

"Westlake is a very good team," said Waipahu coach Eric Keola. "They got good size, (and) good speed; their offense is potent. We just got beat in all three facets of the game."

The visitors got off to a hot start, scoring with ease on their first offensive series. Starting quarterback Malik Henry completed three passes in a row to set up Chase Jasmin's 48-yard TD run. Kevin Robledo's PAT attempt was good and the score was 7-0, one minute and nine seconds into the game.

The Marauders tried to respond quickly on a gadget play, but WR Sword De Asis' pass fell short of his intended target. The rest of the series didn't go as well either with Reno Dubreuil picking off Marauder Kai Mercado-Aiona to give the Warriors the ball. Henry found 6-foot-5 receiver Alex Egurbide two plays later in the end zone for a 12-yard TD reception. Robledo's extra point was good and Westlake was up 14-0.

"(For) our first game, I couldn't be (more) happier with how our offense performed," said Westlake coach Jim Benkert. "We run a no-huddle and we call the plays at the line of scrimmage. The kids showed that they are ready to play."

Waipahu was more successful moving the ball on their next series, driving all the way to midfield using their bread-and-butter triple-option. Unfortunately for the home team, Warrior Jalyn Harrison recovered a Tofi Seei fumble and the Warriors had a first and ten at their 35 yard line.

Westlake quickly marched down the field using their no-huddle offense, before sputtering out at the Marauder 15 yard line. Robleho tacked on a 32-yard field goal to make the score 17-0.

The ensuing Marauder drive ended in a turnover and Westlake would cash in five plays later on a Dubreuil one yard TD plunge. Dubreuil was a menace on defense, crediting three (2 INT, fumble recovery) of the Marauder's seven turnovers to his name.

"Turnovers were the big key," explained Benkert. "It was great to have that type of defensive performance."

The Warriors also dominated on special teams with Andre Baccellia blocking and scooping up a De Asis punt for six. Another Waipahu turnover led to Tommy Gonzales and Lexi Isham hooking up for a 15-yard touchdown. The score was 38-0, with nine minutes and 46 seconds remaining in the first half.

Waipahu would get their first break of the game when a bad handoff resulted in a Marauder recovery at the Westlake 5 yard line. Seei's 5-yard scamper around left end hit pay dirt and the Marauders were finally on the scoreboard.

There were some trickery involved on the 2-point try, and Waipahu cashed in handily. The Marauders had a lone center in the middle of the field with a bunch of players in a tight group on the near and far sideline. On the play, backup Marauder quarterback Gavin Marques found Christian Paulino behind a wall of blockers resulting in an easy two points to trim the lead, 38-8.

Alex Aguilar scored on a 15-yard TD run before the end of the first half to ensure that the mercy rule would be in effect for the second half. Aguilar also added two more rushing TDs in the fourth quarter to top off the Warriors' six day trip in Hawaii.

"Hawaii is beautiful," said Benkert. "The people (here) are great. It was just a tremendous experience for our players."

Waipahu opens up OIA Red West play next Friday at Kapolei in a game that will be streamed live on ScoringLive.com.