Punahou football coach Kale Ane called his team’s upcoming trip to California on Labor Day weekend “a great opportunity.”
The Division I state runner-up Buffanblu will meet the Del Oro Golden Eagles of Loomis, Calif., at Calfornia Memorial Stadium on the Cal-Berkeley campus on Sept. 4.
“We are excited about our chance to play them,” Ane said over the phone Tuesday. “They played a great game against Kamehameha last year. They have a lot of players back and are expected to do well again. They have a tough schedule that includes national power De La Salle. It will be a great challenge for us.”
In a game last season, Kamehameha prevailed over Del Oro, 25-17, in Loomis.
The Buffanblu will also hold a practice session at Stanford on Sept. 2, Ane told the Auburn Journal of Auburn, Calif., which is about nine miles from Loomis.
The game is part of the Brothers in Arms series of 24 contests nationwide. The purpose of the series is to develop awareness of the Wounded Warrior Project, which is a charity and veterans service organization that offers programs for wounded veterans since Sept. 11, 2001.
“The money generated will help the wounded warriors,” Ane said. “It’s a great cause. The boys will attend educational talks and will develop more appreciation for the sacrifices of the military.”
Quarterback Ephraim Tuliloa (2,125 yards and 20 TDs passing) and running back Wayne Taulapapa (1,131 yards and 20 TDs rushing) are two Buffanblu standouts returning this season.
Punahou will defend its Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship and fight to return to the state final, where it lost to Mililani 53-45 in November.
The Buffanblu host Farrington for a scrimmage Saturday at 9:30 a.m. before opening their nonleague regular season at Leilehua on Aug. 7.
The Golden Eagles are 110-35 since 2004.
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