WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Some recruits may not need to wait to play
| • | Eastern Illinois Panthers have become I-AA power |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
As many as 12 members of the 2002 recruiting class might play for the University of Hawai'i football team this season.
The UH coaches prefer to save players who are eligible to redshirt. But the impressive play of several newcomers has forced the coaches to reconsider.
On defense, defensive tackle Abu Ma'afala, pass-rusher Marco Chavez, middle linebacker Chad Kalilimoku and cornerback Kenny Patton are expected to play this year.
Among the candidates on offense are Jason Whieldon, a junior-college transfer practicing with the first team in place of injured quarterback Tim Chang; running back John West, the team's top kick returner; receivers Jeremiah Cockheran, Ross Dickerson and Sean Stennis, and offensive linemen Samson Satele, Kahai LaCount and Marques Kaonohi.
The Warriors were supposed to have depth at defensive tackle, but with two players ineligible, Isaac Sopoaga is the lone backup. The situation opened the way for Ma'afala, who played well during the recently completed training camp.
"Mentally, he picked it up in a week," defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said of Ma'afala.
Lempa also has been impressed with Patton, who was scheduled to redshirt. But with Hyrum Peters moving to strong safety and Keith Bhonapha and Gary Wright securing roles in special defensive packages, Patton has emerged as one of the top four cornerbacks.
Mike Cavanaugh, who coaches the offensive linemen, said it usually takes a year or two for a blocker to learn UH's techniques. But the newcomers, particularly Satele, have been quick learners. Cavanaugh said it would be up to UH coach June Jones to decide if any of the freshman linemen will play this season.
All plans are written in chalk. Last year, quarterback Nick Rolovich was expected to redshirt. But after Chang suffered a season-ending injury in the third game, Rolovich was promoted to starter, leading the Warriors to victories in eight of the final nine games.
• Here today: Today's start of the UH fall semester means the Warriors' roster can expand.
Because the Warriors were under the 105-player limit for training camp, some players scheduled to report today actually showed up last week.
Defensive tackles Robertson Sosene of American Samoa and Peivi Tauilili of West Covina (Calif.) High are among the additions.
Also, offensive lineman Jonathan Ekno and defensive lineman Kealii Aguiar rejoined the team. Anipati Mailo, who recently completed a two-year church mission, begins practicing today.
• Panther alert: The Warriors began working on Eastern Illinois' plays last Thursday, although the UH coaches have been preparing for the season opener since the beginning of the summer.
In June, the coaches completed the scouting report of the Panthers.
Rinda Brooks, a graduate assistant who played for UH for three years, is in charge of the scout team that simulates the Panthers' offense in practice.
"Rinda has done a great job running plays against us," Lempa said. "He tries to make everything as realistic as possible. He's helping us to prepare."
