Posted on: Friday, September 5, 2003
WARRIORS NOTEBOOK
Dickerson hoping for more returns
| • | Brewster makes up for shortcomings |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
It apparently is easier to win a Western Athletic Conference weekly award than a starting job with the University of Hawai'i football team.
The UH coaches have yet to decide on who will return kickoffs for the Sept. 13 road game against Southern California. The Warriors have a bye this week.
It appeared Ross Dickerson would have secured the job after scoring on a 100-yard kickoff return in a 40-17 victory over Appalachian State last Saturday. On Monday, Dickerson was named the WAC's Player of the Week for special teams.
When asked if Dickerson would be the kickoff returner, assistant coach Tyson Helton said, "I wish I could say, 'yeah,' but you know how it goes. I would say he has a lot better chance of being the guy. We don't know yet. I would think he will take a lot more reps than he has."
Most college teams use two deep returners on kickoffs. UH uses one, a strategy designed to add an extra blocker to the middle wedge and eliminate the mystery of who will handle the return.
What's more, Chad Owens is considered to be the Warriors' best returner. Although the coaches would prefer to save Owens mostly for punt returns, "you'd like to get Chad in there (on kickoffs) if you can," Helton said. "Once the game goes, you can put in someone else."
Dickerson, a second-year freshman from Saint Louis School, probably is the fastest of the kick returners. Owens, a fourth-year junior from Roosevelt High, is the most elusive. Helton also said Michael Brewster, a fourth-year junior from Houston who played at Tennessee as a freshman, and senior running back John West, a 1998 Leilehua High graduate, are candidates.
"I think Brewster is the guy who has a great chance," Helton said. "He doesn't necessarily have Chad's cutting ability, but he has good vision. Johnny West is a guy who can do it, too. We've got a lot of options."
For now, Dickerson will wait for another chance.
"They didn't really tell me what's going to happen, but hopefully I'll get to return kicks," Dickerson said.
• Health report: Freshman linebacker Timo Paepule of Saint Louis School could miss the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a subluxation in his left shoulder.
Paepule is the second member of the 2003 recruiting class to undergo possible season-ending surgery. Last week, linebacker Daniel Tautofi of Kaimuki High underwent surgery to repair a tendon injury in his left ankle.
Both will be eligible for a medical hardship, which will allow them four more seasons of eligibility. Student-athletes are allowed five years to play four seasons.
Cornerback Abraham Elimimian yesterday practiced for the first time this week. A magnetic resonance imaging, a procedure in which magnetic fields are used to create a picture of the body's interior, showed no significant damage to his left shoulder. Medical trainers said Elimimian has a deep bruise, and will be able to play against USC.
• Next up: Because of this weekend's bye, the Warriors will not practice today or tomorrow. They are scheduled to practice at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the school's grass practice field.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051
