'Little brother' growing up fast

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Defensive end Melila Purcell Jr., above, works hard while defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, below, takes a break during training camp. The two players from American Samoa have developed a special kinship. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Sopoaga, who was a 16-year-old sophomore at the time, was the youngest player to dunk during an American Samoa interscholastic game. The achievement became known as a "record," and more personally, Sopoaga referred to it as "my record."

Two years later, Melila Purcell III, then a 15-year-old freshman, seized the honor with a dunk during a JV game. Although they grew up in different areas of the main island of Tutuila — Purcell in Leone on the western side, Sopoaga in Fagasa in the central region — they were united in their quest for athletic history.

"Because of what he did," Sopoaga said, "Mel became my little brother. We're from different areas and I'm (three) years older, but we're brothers."

Now they also are football teammates at the University of Hawai'i, with Sopoaga, a senior, the starting left defensive tackle, and Purcell, a sophomore defensive end, working with the first team.

"I feel so excited to have one of my brothers playing next to me," Sopoaga said.

Both took the scenic route to Manoa. Sopoaga attended the College of the Canyons in California for two years, then transferred to UH to complete the coursework needed to compete for an NCAA Division I-A team. Sopoaga joined the UH team as a fourth-year junior in 2002.

Purcell signed with UH in February 2002. But the NCAA Clearinghouse did not recognize one of his English classes as a core course. In accordance with NCAA rules, "they took away my scholarship," Purcell said.

He attended UH last academic year, but was not allowed to practice or play in games.

"It was really hard staying out for a year," Purcell said. "I knew I needed to hit the books. That's what I needed to do to play."

To be eligible to play this season, Purcell needed to earn 24 credits during the past academic year. He amassed that amount by May, and is back on scholarship. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining, but he can qualify for a fourth if he earns a bachelor's degree by August 2006.

For now, Purcell is adjusting to Division I-A football. In American Samoa, the most popular sport is rugby, and football is played on poorly maintained fields. There are no youth football leagues there.

"The talent is good, but the teaching is different," Purcell said.

Still, the coaches are impressed enough with Purcell that he has worked out with the first team as the pass-rushing end.

"It's kind of hard being out a year and trying to get back into things," he said. "You have to pay the price, right? I'm trying to do my best and see what happens."

The 6-foot-5 Purcell weighed 227 pounds last fall. This year, he bulked up to 260 pounds.

"I ate a lot of Samoan food — taro, bananas and stuff," he said.

The added weight affected his quickness. As a senior at Leone High, he ran 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. Purcell said he recently covered that distance in 5.0 seconds.

"I know I can do better," he said. "I'm still a little rusty. I'm working on getting faster."

There have been suggestions that Purcell's long arms, strength and agility would make him more suitable to play on the offensive line. Such a move would require another weight gain, which is why Purcell plans to stay put.

"Trying to put on 40 pounds to play defense was hard," Purcell said. "I think it will be hard to put on another 30 pounds."

Rivers' talent runs deep: While freshman wide receiver Jason Rivers competes for a starting job, his brothers also are working on their football careers.

Older brother Frank is a wide receiver at Pasadena (Calif.) City College. Frank received a football scholarship from UH as a freshman in 2001, but decided leave school for personal reasons.

Younger brother David will be a freshman at Roosevelt High this year. David, who is 6 feet 3, is a quarterback who also is a talented basketball player.

Two more years?: Defensive tackle Lui Fuga, who was limited to one game in the past two years because of shoulder and leg injuries, said he is "99 percent guaranteed" he will receive a second medical waiver that will allow him to play through the 2004 season.

Fuga started for the Warriors in 1999 and 2000, then redshirted in 2001 after undergoing surgery on both shoulders. He suffered a broken bone in his left leg in last year's season opener.

Fuga already has received a medical hardship for the 2001 season. He must wait until the end of this season to apply for a medical hardship for the 2002 season. He said he discussed his situation with UH officials and was told "I met all of the requirements to get my medical year."

Fuga said he expects to begin practicing next week, and is hopeful of playing in the Aug. 30 opener against Appalachian State.