Practice brings progress for football Warriors

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nearly lost in the pomp and circumstance of today's closing ceremony to spring practice is the University of Hawai'i football team's progress in the 15 days of workouts.

The Warriors entered spring practice with a long list of questions, the most pressing being the health of head coach June Jones, who suffered head and internal injuries in single-car accident Feb. 22. Jones is now at home, after making a rapid recovery, although he told The Advertiser last Monday he will not attend today's final intrasquad scrimmage.

In his absence, the Warriors apparently solved their problems holding onto passes and making tackles.

"We worked on catching the ball and doing something after the catch," said assistant Ron Lee, who coaches the receivers. "We're a heck of a lot better than the way we finished (the 2000 season)."

Right wide receiver Ashley Lelie and right slotback Craig Stutzmann had strong workouts, although wideouts Tafiti Uso, Neal Gossett and Mark Tate and slotbacks Gerald Welch, Britton Komine and Clifton Herbert also were impressive.

Lee said the four starters from last year are still ahead, but "there are a whole bunch of guys closing in. It's going to be real competitive, which is going to make us better."

On the offensive line, redshirt freshman Uriah Moenoa appears to be the frontrunner to succeed right tackle Kynan Forney, who completed his eligibility last December, although Ryan Santos will receive a shot in training camp in August. Santos, also a redshirt freshman, has not competed in contact drills while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Tui Ala has been the most impressive running back.

On defense, Laanui Correa has dominated at left end after struggling last season. Joe Correia also has made a smooth transition from defensive end to left linebacker, and likely will head into the training camp on the first team.

"We made a lot of progress this spring," Stutzmann said. "We came a long way."

The coaches plan to run about 60 plays today. Unlike the previous two scrimmages, in which each series was limited to six plays, the drive will continue until the offense scores or the downs are exhausted.