EDGE Anelu Lafaele, a Wisconsin-commit, pressures the quarterback in an OIA Division I matchup against Nanakuli. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Senior DB Toren Pruitt (18) is often the lone single-high safety in the Governors’ new scheme. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Farrington CB Everest Rodriguez tackles a Nanakuli receiver after a short completion. Michael Lasquero | SL

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The Farrington Governors are cooking up something special on the defensive side of the ball this year.

An influx of transfers and a brand new defensive staff has No. 14 Farrington off to its first 2-0 start since 2016.

In wins over Radford and Nanakuli, the Governors have recorded 10 takeaways and three defensive touchdowns.

Commits like this don't happen very often 🌴

Anelu Lafaele, the Class of 2024's No. 2 player in the state of Hawaii, commits to Wisconsin 🏈

FULL COMMITMENT: https://t.co/n80HT97wLT pic.twitter.com/fBzMiK57Dq

— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 11, 2023

At least six contributors on the defensive side of the ball were not on the roster a season ago. Edge rusher Anelu Lafaele, a Wisconsin-commit, headlines the newcomers after playing for Saint Louis in 2022. Other former Crusaders playing for Farrington include linebacker Jordan Paredes and rover Lauititi Liufau.

Defensive tackle Heimana Richmond and nose guard Tamasoalii Sione were at Punahou and Waipahu respectively last season while outside linebacker Zion "Ziggy" Vea played for Damien last year.

Lead running back Sitani Mikaele, who was at Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) a year ago, is also capable of playing defensive line.

Favorite clip of the day 😳🔥@GregBiggins @OfficialKOBros @Meffyk97 @247Sports @UTRScouting pic.twitter.com/hi3DdvQHfF

— Sitaniselao Mikaele (@Sitani_Mikaele) January 29, 2023

"I think we have the best defense in the state, a bunch of incoming transfers, we're going to look scary this year," said Richmond.

Mike Lafaele and Ipulasi Eselu share defensive coordinator responsibilities. The elder Lafaele is a 2003 graduate of Farrington and was a defensive lineman for the University of Hawaii during the Colt Brennan-era while Eselu was the DC for the championship-winning team in two of the past three OIA Division I title games (Moanalua in 2019 and Waipahu in 2022).

Defensive line coaches Noah and Ray Eselu, defensive back coach Raymond Sayers and defensive analyst Chaz Barit rounds out the defensive staff.

"They're a bunch of seasoned guys," said Farrington coach Daniel Sanchez. "The coaches, they bring a new flavor, a new sauce to what we do."

Outside of a new scheme, the defensive coaches are holding their players more accountable. Even if the defense forces a punt and get off the field, the coaches will still point out defensive breakdowns during the series and hammer down on fundamentals when the defense gets to to the bench.

"They're really teaching us pride," said Richmond. "These new coaches really know how to coach. They love us so much. We wouldn't be here without them."

Senior DB Toren Pruitt (18) is often the lone single-high safety in the Governors’ new scheme. Michael Lasquero | SL    Purchase image

The Governors are running a base 4-2 defense this year with a single high safety with two rovers, which is between a mix of a strong safety and an outside linebacker.

Lafaele and Peighton Tanuvasa are the two ends in the 40 front while Richmond and Sione are the two interior linemen. Toren Pruitt has the responsibility of the deep safety over the middle.

The scheme's weakness are the seams and flats, but it has given the Governors the advantage at the line of scrimmage, which helps clog running lanes to give the pass rush and secondary advantageous opportunities on second and third down.

"Anytime you can win the line of scrimmage, you can win the game," said Sanchez.

Farrington CB Everest Rodriguez tackles a Nanakuli receiver after a short completion. Michael Lasquero | SL    Purchase image

Cornerback Everest Rodriguez has been the biggest standout so far. He has four interceptions and a fumble recovery to his name in two games and scored on a 35-yard pick-6 against Radford. Rodriguez also had another potential defensive TD against Nanakuli wiped away by an illegal block, but he still finished with a game-high 11 tackles, with two of them going for a loss.

Liufau also returned a fumble for a score against Radford and Richmond tipped a pass at the line that led to a 42-yard pick-6 by LB Kilinahe Aki against Nanakuli.

Heimana Richmond had a hand in two of the Governors' takeaways Friday night.

He recovered a fumble to end Nanakuli's opening drive and tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that led to a 42-yard pick-6 in Farrington's 40-0 shutout victory. pic.twitter.com/Xn1b5Nc8na

— Michael Lasquero (@MichaelLasquero) August 26, 2023

"Our defense is working every single day, putting in the work…I'm proud of them," said Mikaele.

The revamped defense sets up an intriguing matchup at home against top-ranked Kahuku on Friday.

Will it stop the Red Raiders from picking up their 26th straight win against Hawaii opponents?

Highly unlikely, but it should serve as a barometer for the Governors while giving Kahuku a good tune-up before taking on nationally-ranked Mater Dei and St. John Bosco in back-to-back weeks.

Farrington's defense will look to stop the run first, which will put the onus on Kahuku quarterback Tulilele Tagovailoa-Amosa to make sound decisions in the RPO and passing game.

Kickoff is slated for approximately 7:30 p.m. at Edward ‘Skippa' Diaz Stadium at Kusunoki Field.