WARRIOR'S NOTEBOOK
Offensive lineman Satele returns to practice after fighting off flu

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Samson Satele, who is projected to start at left tackle for the University of Hawai'i football team, yesterday participated in blocking drills and is hopeful of competing in today's 50-play scrimmage at the UH grass practice field.

Monday, Satele was diagnosed with a strained left shoulder. But he said it was a "stomach flu" that has prevented him from competing in full-contact drills this week.

"The flu went away, and I feel a lot better," said Satele, a second-year freshman from Kailua High.

As for his left shoulder, he said: "I'm all right. Nothing's sore."

There were concerns about the health of the offensive line, which returned only one starter who played the same position as he did last season. But UH coach June Jones said he expects Satele to start in the Aug. 30 season opener against Appalachian State.

Right guard Uriah Moenoa, a fourth-year junior who started 26 consecutive games at right tackle, has worked his way back onto the first team. He was slowed by a sore left ankle.

Safety first: At 6 feet 1 and 174 pounds, Leonard Peters was admittedly downtown Honolulu's "skinniest bouncer."

"We had some fights," said Peters, who worked at Don Ho's Island Grill at Aloha Tower Marketplace, "but there were some guys to help me out."

On the football field, Peters needs little assistance, earning the most work among the free safeties in training camp.

"He's a football player," Jones said of Peters, a third-year sophomore from Kahuku High. "He's got unbelievable speed. He's worked so hard this summer. He's a hitter. He's smart. He's great."

Peters was having a breakout training camp last year before being inadvertently elbowed by slotback Chad Owens. Peters suffered tears to his spleen and a kidney. When he finally was cleared to play, he was 25 pounds lighter.

"It set me back," he said.

But the injury changed his outlook. "I didn't think I could get hurt," he said. "But after that, every day I woke up, I was so grateful to be able to play a game that I love."

Peters said he has relied on jumping exercises and yoga to improve his leg strength and flexibility. With his legs straightened, he can bend down and touch his toes.

Peters also was electronically timed as the fastest Warrior, sprinting 40 yards in 4.42 seconds.

Although Peters is likely to open the season in the starting lineup — last year's starting free safety, David Gilmore, has been sidelined with a sore back — he still wears his jersey inside-out during practices.

"That's how you wear it when you're on the scout team," he said. "I got used to wearing it that way. It reminds me of where I started off. You always have to remember your roots."

Health report: Starting defensive left tackle Isaac Sopoaga said he expects to resume practicing next week. Sopoaga, a senior, said he has a sprained back.

"There's a sharp pain," he said.

He said he believes he incurred the injury during a rugby match in high school in American Samoa.