UNLV stocked with Hawaii football talent | The Honolulu Advertiser

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UNLV stocked with Hawaii football talent | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Posted on: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

HOMEGROWN REPORT
UNLV stocked with Hawaii football talent

•	Warriors try to hang loose on the road
•	Series worth keeping

By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Keith Uperesa

Like many other locals visiting Las Vegas, the University of Hawai'i football team will run into its share of familiar faces before, after and even during Saturday's game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The Runnin' Rebels have seven former Hawai'i prep players on their roster in addition to offensive line coach Keith Uperesa, a 1974 Punahou graduate.

The players are offensive linemen Johan Asiata (of Kalihi) and Ramsey Feagai (Radford '06 of Honolulu), linebacker Bronson Leafa (Radford '06 of Honolulu), defensive lineman Malo Taumua ('Aiea '05 of Honolulu), long snapper Kamu Kapanui (Kamehameha '05 of Honolulu), and running backs Jordan Ho-Ching (Maryknoll '07 of 'Aiea) and Robert Paulele (attended Maui High of Waikapu).

Uperesa, who begins his third season in the desert, was an All-Western Athletic Conference offensive tackle at BYU and spent time with the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders of the NFL. He began as a graduate assistant at his alma mater before making coaching stops at Snow Junior College, Idaho State, USC, El Camino JC and Utah.

"He is an extremely talented offensive line coach," said UNLV head coach Mike Sanford. "He is one of the best teachers of technique in both the run and the pass around the country."

Colorado senior linebacker Jordon Dizon (Waimea '04) had a team-high 13 1/2 tackles and two sacks in a loss to Arizona State.

Navy junior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (Kapolei '04 of Kapolei) had a 2-yard touchdown run and threw a 3-yard score in a 41-24 loss to Rutgers. Senior Reyn Kaupiko (Kamehameha '03 of Honolulu) is Navy's second-team center.

UCLA sophomore Micah Kia (Mililani '06 of Mililani) started at left tackle in a 27-17 win over BYU. UCLA moved up to No. 11 from 13 in this week's Associated Press poll.

Utah junior running back Ray Stowers ('Iolani '04 of Honolulu) started and carried six times for 21 yards in a 20-12 loss to Air Force.

Senior linebacker Malakai Mokofisi (Kailua '03 of La'ie) made six tackles. Freshman defensive end Nai Fotu (Kahuku '07 of La'ie) had 1 1/2 tackles.

Senior linebacker Loma Olevao (Kahuku '00 of Kahuku) and sophomore linebacker Kepa Gaison (Kamehameha '05 of Kane'ohe) also saw action against the Falcons.

A trio of former Interscholastic League of Honolulu standouts led Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) to a 21-18 victory over Kenyon College.

Sophomore Mike Hirokawa ('Iolani '06 of 'Aiea) carried 11 times for 47 yards and a touchdown. Hirokawa, a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, also had four kickoff returns for 119 yards.

Freshman linebacker Adam Morris (Punahou '07 of Honolulu) was in on four tackles and a quarterback hurry, and sophomore defensive back Landon Patoc ('Iolani '06 of Honolulu) had one tackle and a pass breakup.

Sophomore wide receiver Travis Nishioka ('Iolani '06 of Honolulu) is also on the Stags' roster.

Linfield senior punter Stan Fisher (Punahou '03 of Kailua) was named Northwest Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. Fisher, who is 6 feet 3 and 223 pounds, punted four times for an average of 46.2 yards.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Fairfield senior Lindsey Lee (St. Joseph of Hilo) was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Against Penn, Lee had a career-high 29 digs and 10 kills along with four total blocks. Against Seton Hall, Lee had 17 kills and three total blocks.

St. John's junior libero Lena Yee (Moanalua '04 of Honolulu) had a team-high 27 digs in the Red Storm's five-game win over Virginia Commonwealth.

Freshman defensive specialist Kayla Motoyama (Roosevelt '07 of Honolulu) saw action against No. 3 Penn State.

Hofstra senior setter Shellane Ogoshi (Roosevelt '04 of Honolulu) was named to the AT&T Invitational All-Tournament Team at Reno, Nev. Ogoshi had 49 assists and 16 digs in a loss to UNLV, which won the tournament.

Pepperdine senior middle blocker Lecca Roberts (Seabury Hall '04 of Kula) had 12 kills, hitting .750 in a loss to No. 4 USC.

Freshman setter Kealohilani Kea (Kamehameha '07 of Honolulu) is also on the Waves roster.

South Dakota State setter Melia Iwamoto (Kalani '07 of Honolulu) earned all-tournament honors at the Jackrabbit Invitational. Iwamoto, a 5-foot-7 freshman, had 143 assists in wins over North Texas, Montana and Long Island.

Taft College (Los Altos Hills, Calif.) freshman outside hitter Tessa Asuega (Mililani '07 of Mililani) had 10 kills in a loss to Foothill College. Also on the Taft roster is freshman setter Krysten Adsuara (Moanalua '06).

CROSS COUNTRY

Pacific (Ore.) senior Caitlyn Tateishi (Waiakea '03 of Pahoa) finished 10th in the 5-kilometer race in 20 minutes, 35 seconds at the Summer's End Invitational in Monmouth, Ore.

Sophomore Casey Nishimura (Mid-Pacific '06 of Hawai'i Kai) led the Pacific men, finishing 38th in the 8-kilometer race in 28:43. Junior Shawn Leon-Guerrero (Kaiser '02 of Hawai'i Kai) placed 42nd in 29:24 and sophomore David Maile (Kamehameha '06 of Kaimuki) was 50th in 31:27.

MEN'S SOCCER

Gonzaga sophomore midfielder Tye Perdido (Seabury Hall '06 of Kula) was a big part of a 2-1 upset of No. 15 Washington. Perdido's assist on the game-winning goal gave Gonzaga its first win over the rival Huskies since 1981.

Senior Vito Higgins (Academy of the Pacific '03 of Kailua) is the Bulldogs' starting goalkeeper and senior Daniel Scott (King Kekaulike '03 of Pukalani) started at defender. Freshman Nick Love (Punahou '07 of Kane'ohe) is also on the Gonzaga roster.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

A pair of freshmen hope to help Cal State Northridge turn the tide this weekend in non-conference matches against Baylor and No. 7 UCLA.

The Matadors (0-3-1) feature midfielder Kim Culver (Punahou '07 of Honolulu) and defender Jasmine Pratt (Mililani '07 of Mililani).

Northridge hosts Hawai'i Sept. 21.

Denver sophomore defender Lizzy Carlson (Punahou '06 of Honolulu) scored a goal in a win over Air Force.

COMMITMENTS

Allycia Watanabe (Pearl City '07) and Kawehi Chan (Moanalua '07) will play softball at Johnson C. Smith in North Carolina.

Cheynah Farley (Castle '06 of Kane'ohe) has signed to play softball at UNLV. She is transferring from Eastern Arizona JC.

Brittany Tokunaga (Kailua '07) will play softball for Brigham Young on a full scholarship.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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