Hawai’i Football Fanatics

Fellow Honolulu Star-Bulletin journalist and blogger, Dave Reardon, had me thinking all day, yesterday, on the notion that Sean Payton and June Jones shared the same football philosophies. Hmm. . . It makes you wonder whether some of those game-changing plays were part of the former UH football coach’s legacy and repertoire. Check out the article for yourself and see if you agree, Payton’s philosophy similar to Jones’.

Again, Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints and to the City of New Orleans!!! Who Dat! Saints dat who!!! Superbowl Champs!

It’s finally here, Super Bowl Sunday and I’ll say it again, Go Saints! I’ve said it in an earlier post, my affinity for the Saints when I was stationed in the Deep South.

But best wishes today to island boy, Aaron Francisco, and fellow Polynesians, Freddie Keiaho and Fili Moala, on the Indianapolis Colts. Although injured, a big auwe! to Marcus Mailei with the Saints (formerly with the Eagles).

Whoever wins, it’ll still be an awesome Sunday!

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints! Its the first time they’re going to the Superbowl! As I said in my Hawai’i Fishing Fanatic blog post:

“I’m rooting for the Minnesota Vikings to win the NFC Championship. Go Vikings! However, I do like the Saints too since I spent time in my Air Force days deep in the Bayous. My buddies in Mississippi and Louisiana have a great love for the team. I also emphathize with the trials and tribulations the franchise has gone through from the days I was down in New Orleans.”

Wow! what a fantastic ending to a game that was fought well by both sides. A congratulations to Polynesian, Marcus Mailei, who was put on New Orleans injured reserve list in late December. A former Philadelphia Eagle he was recently acquired by the Saints in early December.

Marcus Mailei with the Philadelphia Eagles

Indianapolis Colts are going to the Superbowl!! AFC Champs!! Congrats to Bruddahs, Aaron Francisco (Kahuku) and Nesians Freddie Keiaho and Fili Moala.

Liz Chun

**Update 1/24/10: Dave Reardon writes further on Liz Chun’s resignation.

Breaking news from fellow blogger, Dave Reardon:

Liz Chun resigned today as Hawaii News Now Sports Director. The is disheartening news for a lot of Hawaii sports fans but she explains her reason for leaving in an interview with Star-Bulletin staff. Her work ethic speaks for itself but here’s an interview she did for the Honolulu Advertiser a few years back in 2006.

I’ve enjoyed her vast sports knowledge over the years and she will be greatly missed in Hawai’i sports media.

Hawai’i Football Fanatics wishes her the very best for her future plans and big mahalo for all she’s done for Hawai’i’s sports! Especially covering Warrior Football!

Got wind of yesterday’s UH Walk-On Tryouts from fellow blogger, TomboAhi, at the UH Football Fan Blog. Good luck to all the participants! They all have a chance to become a Warrior and hopefully will be invited back for spring training. Results from the tryouts should be publicized in a few days. Check out TomboAhi’s featured post, UH Walk-On Tryouts, on those who tried out for 15 roster spots.

Kawika Borden at UH Walk-On Tryouts

Well we know at this point that New Orleans and Indianapolis are on their way to their respective conference championships but their opponents are to be decided today. Hmm. . my picks thus are, let me see, Vikings and Jets! Yes, I’ll go against the grain and go with these two!! I’m a big Eagles fan so naturally Dallas is a hard sell, Polynesian Naufahu Tahi and I love Brett Favre.

NY Jets, obviously because UH Warrior Football assistant coach, Rich Miano, played for the Jets & Eagles but we have UH Alum #78 Wayne Hunter and fellow Polynesians, #91 Sione Pouha & #79 Ropati Pitoitua on the Jets squad.

Alright then, Go Vikings! and Go Jets!

Not much to be said but . . . Wait for it . . . GO EAGLES!!!

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles - Offense
Injured Reserve

#78 OT Fenuki Tupou (University of Oregon)

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys - Offense
#1 P Matt McBriar (University of Hawai’i)

Dallas Cowboys - Defense

#78 DT Junior Siavi’i (University of Oregon)

The game is being televised on NBC at 3:00pm HST (KHNL8)
Portland 5:00 PM PDT (KGW8)
Seattle 5:00 PM PDT (KING5)

A Happy New Year to all Hawai’i Football Fanatics readers! Thank you for your support the past year and here’s to a prosperous year ahead for everyone. Rose Bowl! Go Ducks! Don’t forget to watch all the NFL games on Sunday for playoff matchups! As for me, I’m watching the game of the week, Eagles v. Cowboys.

Go Ducks!

Go Eagles!!

Mahalo nui loa,

Don Aweau