Long Beach fullback returning to Islands

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Longtime University of Hawai'i football fans will recognize his surname, and even his face looks familiar.

And when Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School fullback/linebacker Jeremiah Toloumu steps off the plane today, the surroundings will be familiar to him, too.

Toloumu, a 6-foot, 230-pound junior, is the son of former UH running back/return specialist David Toloumu. The elder Toloumu played for the Rainbows from 1978-81 and, along with tailback Gary Allen, was part of one of the program's best and most popular backfield tandems.

"I've always wanted to meet (former UH coach) Dick Tomey," Jeremiah Toloumu said. "I've seen some film of my dad, and he always talks about those days."

The younger Toloumu has his own memories of watching UH, since he spent most of his childhood here. He attended Kalei'opu'u Elementary School in Village Park and Wheeler Intermediate, and played Pop Warner football for the Waipahu Warriors.

But the family moved to the Mainland two years ago, and David Toloumu now works in Long Beach. The younger Toloumu is expected to play a big role for Long Beach Poly, and he appears to have the tools to succeed.

At the team's preseason "testing" workout on July 30, Toloumu bench pressed 275 pounds, power cleaned 215 and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds.

When Toloumu takes the field Saturday against Kahuku in the first game of the HHSAA/First Hawaiian Bank Classic, he knows that his name will bring back memories for many UH fans, especially those who watched his father average 25.5 yards per kickoff return, a UH career record for those with at least 30 returns.

And he already has educated his teammates about Hawai'i's brand of football.

"I told them there's going to be a lot of competition," Toloumu said. "We just have to come out with the same attitude, wanting to win."

Toloumu also will be paying close attention to the second game of the doubleheader between St. Louis and De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), and not just because Long Beach Poly plays De La Salle on Oct. 12. His cousin, Jason Rivers, is a standout receiver for St. Louis.

"I'm just excited," Toloumu said of the Classic. "I can't wait."

HAWAI'I TIE, PART II: De La Salle junior offensive lineman/linebacker Alex Briner's father, Dan, is a 1966 Iolani graduate who played guard for the Raiders. Alex's brother Andy graduated from De La Salle last year and is a scholarship player for California.