Warrior football buoyed by basketball

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

These days, it's difficult to tell a University of Hawai'i basketball player without a football program.

ALAMA-FRANCIS

"I've always had the anxiousness to play football," said Alama-Francis, a 6-foot-7, 212-pound reserve forward in basketball.

Alama-Francis, a 2002 graduate of Kalaheo High, is auditioning at defensive end. He participated in running drills with the football team last fall, and his father, Joe Francis, was a Kamehameha Schools standout and quarterback Bart Starr's backup with the Green Bay Packers.

Alama-Francis was an All-State basketball and volleyball player at Kalaheo. He has not played football since Pop Warner.

But, he insisted, "this is serious. You have to take everything seriously. You can't go half-speed in anything."

Alama-Francis said he has considered competing in football for several months, finally making the decision last week. He said he has gained five pounds since the end of the basketball season last month.

He said he has not decided if he will be a two-sport athlete next academic year.

"I'm going to concentrate on football for now," he said. "When the time comes to make a decision, I'll make that decision."

Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive linemen, said Alama-Francis is agile and strong.

"He knows what he's doing," Singletary said. "We're trying to get him into a rhythm, get him going."

After yesterday's two-hour practice, Alama-Francis worked on his grip-and-swim move in which he fights off blockers.

"He's not bad," Singletary said. "He's just trying to learn. He hasn't had a chance to watch films or get a playbook. He'll be OK once he watches the films."

Singletary said Alama-Francis' build is more conducive to opening at defensive end.

"He has long arms," Singletary said. "He's a spider. He's a finesse guy. I don't want to put him inside where some of those big guys are stones. He's athletic, and he'll be good in the open field. He can possibly play linebacker."