From Aug. 24 to 31, the MHS varsity football team traveled to Las Vegas, Nev. to challenge the Liberty High School Patriots from Henderson, Nev. in a preseason game. The Trojans led the first half of the game but it resulted in a loss, with the final score being 76-53.

“It was a lot of fun, but then we lost. Our eyes got opened when we lost,” Wide Receiver Senior Nicholas Culp said. Running Back Senior Vavae Malepeai added, “You can’t ever underestimate anyone; you just gotta keep working hard.”

The Trojans scored three touchdowns in the first quarter but were down 39-32. As the game went on the Trojans continued to fight for the win but unfortunately came out with a loss.“There was a lot more competition, like the players were better and there was more hype,” Culp said.

The trip was a bonding experience for the team and they learned to depend on one another.“You are thousands of miles away from home and the kids are not sleeping in their own beds and they’re not waking up to mom and dad right there,” Head Coach Roderick York said. “The team is far away from home and the only guy you have is the one standing right next to you. So it’s a great bonding experience.” Malepeai also valued the chance to get closer with his fellow players. “My favorite experience about going up to Las Vegas was just bonding with my brothers, we were pretty close before that but it’s kind of surprising how when you take a trip like that you end up realizing how much closer you can be,” Malepeai said.

In Las Vegas, the team got the chance to see the college life from MHS alumni who currently attend school at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). “We also got to practice at UNLV and had a campus tour in which we were escorted by former MHS alumni who were at UNLV, it was pretty nice,” said York.

Although the main purpose of the trip was the game against the Patriots, the team was given new opportunities that aren’t easy to come across in Hawaii. “Seeing the team far away from home and experiencing new things especially watching them interact with the UNLV coaches and players and tour and see the college life,” York said. “Some kids got to see first hand what it was like to travel for the first time on an airplane. Some of these guys haven’t (even)passed Pearlridge so it was good for them to get out and seek new experiences.”

With the lessons learned and a new bond the team was able to redeem themselves at the Homecoming Game at Aiea High School by pulling out with a win of 54-6. After that win, the Trojans will strive to make the rest of their season even better.