Photo Information

Robert Harling, Camp H.M. Smith Raider wide receiver, runs through callisthenic drills to warm up for football practice on Bordelon Field, Aug. 2.

Photo by Sgt. Scott Whittington

Defending champs gear up for new season

10 Aug 2007 | Lance Cpl. Ethan Hoaldridge U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

August has arrived and brought football season along with it. The Camp H.M. Smith Raiders intramural football team is gearing up for the new season.

While most other service members head home at quitting time, the Raiders, playing under head coach Carson Peapealalo, have been meeting on Bordelon Field and practicing for the past four weeks.

The practice is an essential part of getting the team back up to par, said Peapealalo.

Last year’s hard work paid off, propelling the Warriors to victory in the intramural league championship game.

The Raiders have brought back some salty veterans from last season, and there are many new faces as well.

“We had a great team last year, and a lot of our defense is returning from last season,” said Brenden Villa’hashimoto, Raiders safety and defensive captain. “This year we want to improve our passing game, so we can keep our competition’s defense honest against our rushing.”

Peapealalo, who received a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994, has been Camp Smith’s head football coach for the last three seasons. He and his staff have added a few new routes and

runs to the playbook to keep things interesting this year.

“We definitely feel confident in this year’s team,” said Peapealalo, former University of Hawaii offensive lineman from 1992-94. “We’re going to take this season one game at a time. We’ve got some challenges ahead, since most of our offense is new to the team.”

Peapealalo got some outside help from former University of Hawaii football teammates and put on a football clinic here Aug. 2.

“We wanted to give the team a jump start,” said Peapealalo. “The clinic was focused on the fundamentals. Later we’ll try to hold another and get a little more advanced with the drills.”

The Marine Corps Community Service Intramural Football League’s regular season will kickoff in early September. The schedule is to be determined.