Warriors' offensive line gets makeover

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team's latest line dance is a four-step do-si-do in which there are two changes to the left and two to the right.

Inferrera

In last Saturday's 40-17 victory over Appalachian State, the opening lineup was: left tackle Samson Satele, left guard Shayne Kajioka, center Derek Faavi, right guard Phil Kauffman and right tackle Dane Uperesa. Kauffman had started in place of Uriah Moenoa, who was recovering from a bruised right Achilles tendon.

But in post-game interviews, Cavanaugh and UH coach June Jones said the Warriors did not block aggressively, leading to yesterday's shakeup. During a 75-minute, light-contact practice, Faavi, a third-year sophomore, was the only incumbent. Freshman Jeremy Inferrera played left tackle, Satele moved to left guard, Moenoa returned to right guard and Brandon Eaton was at right tackle.

Cavanaugh, who has helped 10 UH linemen earn NFL tryouts or jobs in four years, preaches the technique of setting up in a proper stance, "punching" — thrusting both hands onto an opponent's jersey numbers — and neutralizing a defender's momentum.

In reviewing videotapes of Saturday's game, Cavanaugh said: "I thought our communication was good, but it came down to technique: approach, strike, finish. Some of us don't quite have that finishing mentality right now. We don't trust being violent with our hands. We've got to get violent with our hands."

While footwork is necessary for proper leverage, Cavanaugh added: "If you don't use your hands correctly, it's going to be a long night, you don't control (the defender). The only way to control a defender is with a violent punch."

Inferrera played most of the second half against ASU. "He's a tough kid," Cavanaugh said of the Saint Louis School graduate. "That's what I like about him."

Satele, a second-year freshman, practiced at guard while redshirting last season. He was moved to left tackle during spring practice, but maintained, "I love playing guard."

Eaton, a third-year sophomore, was a backup tackle and guard on the left side. "He didn't really jump out at you," Cavanaugh said. "Moving to the right side, he looks more comfortable. He's a guy who trusts his sets and techniques. If he does that, he'll be a really good player for us."

Eaton played right tackle at Worthing High in Houston, "so I feel more comfortable in my stance over there."

He also lost 30 pounds since spring practice and now weighs 285. "I can move a little better," he said. "It's all up to me. It's how much I want it, and I want it real bad."

Cavanaugh might not be done tinkering. He said Moenoa will practice at right tackle, where he was a two-year starter, and Kauffman will get work at guard. Kauffman also can play center.

Moenoa, a fourth-year junior, said the freshman class — led by Inferrera, Larry Sauafea and Michael Lafaele — has fueled competition.

"They came in and worked and studied," Moenoa said. "They want to get on the field. All of the older guys realize they're pushing for jobs. We realize these guys mean business."

Jones has banned hazing of freshmen, but Moenoa said the newcomers still have to earn the acceptance of the upperclassmen.

"They came through," Moenoa said, "and we're all one team now."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051