Any doubts about the competition entering tomorrow's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl were answered at the dinner table.

The recent banquet for the participating football teams — Notre Dame and Hawai'i — turned into a fete of pride.

The Fighting Irish opened by chanting their fight song, "Notre Dame Victory March."

At the end of his speech, UH head coach Greg McMackin said the Warriors had their own chant. He then flashed the shaka sign to defensive tackle Keala Watson, who led teammates in a rousing ha'a.

"That was the best one we ever did," McMackin said.

At one point, Watson, who co-authored the UH ha'a, knocked over two chairs and a serving cart.

Some Warriors tossed kukui-nut lei into the air.

"Keala was a little intense," middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian said.

"It was a good thing there were no kids around," said safety Keao "Ao Boy" Monteilh, who co-authored the ha'a. "(Watson) might have thrown a table. ... It was good. We had 100-percent participation, which is rare. Even Malcolm did it."

Wideout Malcolm Lane, who was raised in Florida but attended an American high school in Germany, mused: "I wanted to do the Electric Slide. But I guess everybody voted for the ha'a."

Monteilh said Lane "did a good job. He was easy to teach. All we had to do was get him a little focused."

Even quarterback Greg Alexander, who was raised in California, participated — with enthusiasm.

"I got a little pumped up," Alexander said. "But I wasn't like Keala. He went a little crazy. He was punching some tables. It was pretty cool. It was a fun deal."

It was a rare off-the-field show of emotion for Watson, who moonlights as a youth pastor.

Watson's wife, Leona, is expecting the couple's first child Feb. 11.

"Our team has a lot of pride," Watson said. "When people call us out, everybody steps up. ... It was a lot of fun. Coach Mack didn't say anything. He just looked at us and gave us the nod. That's how it started. Even the coaches were jumping in. It was hysterical. Everybody was showing Warrior spirit."

Notre Dame safety David Bruton said the battle of chants was "in fun."

Bruton added that it was good to stir the competition between the teams.

The event set the way for yesterday's final practices for both teams. After two days practicing at Saint Louis School, the Warriors worked out on their grass field for 90 minutes yesterday morning.

They did not wear full pads, and were in shorts instead of football pants.

The Fighting Irish, meanwhile, had their third practice at Aloha Stadium. They were in shoulder pads and shorts.

Both teams will have walk-through sessions today.

Despite their hectic schedules, the teams declared themselves ready.

The Warriors did not have a fully attended practice until Sunday because of final exams. McMackin and 14 seniors skipped Saturday's practice to participate in UH's commencement ceremony.

"The coaches and players handled everything well," McMackin said. "We had to adjust to the tests. We had guys missing practices. But that's OK. Graduation and academics are the most important things we're doing."

The NCAA allows up to 15 practices for each bowl team. The Fighting Irish will end up practicing 10 times.

"I really had to put exams ahead of those extra football practices," Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said. "I don't think it's right to have kids ... running between exams and going to football practice. ... I think that leads to grades suffering, and I won't do that."

Weis' commitment can be found in the report cards. This is the seventh consecutive semester — all under Weis —in which Notre Dame's team grade-point average will be 3.0 or higher.

Still, Weis said, "We've had more than enough (practices) to get ready for this game."

McMackin, too, said the Warriors completed the required work.

What's more, they were able to use the extra practices to give work to redshirts and developing players.

"We're in game mode right now," McMackin said.

Running back Kealoha Pilares, who did not play in the final two regular-season games because of a sprained right foot, is expected to start against Notre Dame.

"It's still sore," Pilares said yesterday. "It's going to be. I'll play through it. It's Notre Dame. I have to play. I can rest after this game."

Ryan Mouton, who was limited because of a high-ankle sprain, also has been declared physically fit.

Mouton, the Warriors' best defensive back, is expected to open at left cornerback.

When the Warriors use schemes involving five defensive backs, Mouton becomes the nickelback and Jameel Dowling enters at cornerback.

Strong safety Erik "E-Rob" Robinson resumed practicing after being limited because of a hamstring problem. Robinson is not expected to start, but "he'll play a lot," said associate head coach Rich Miano, who coordinates the defensive secondary.

Seniors Desmond Thomas and Monteilh are expected to start at the two safety positions.

The Fighting Irish also used the break to recover. Wideout Michael Floyd (knee), running back Armando Allen (ankle), linebacker Brian Smith (knee) and cornerback Terrail Lambert (ankle) have practiced in Hawai'i, and are set to play.

Weis said wide receiver Robby Parris (knee) is not at "full speed, but he's ready to go."

The Warriors also are prepared after completing what was essentially their final practice of the season.

For 35 UH seniors, "this was it," Watson said.

"This practice was emotional," Watson added. "Everybody knows what we're going to leave behind. The main thing is, we're leaving everything in good hands next year."

Watson said it is time to pass the proverbial torch of leadership to the next generation.

"We have to pass down what was passed from guys before us, and guys before that," Watson said. "We want to continue that type of tradition."

Watson said he learned from his predecessors — Lui Fuga, Matt Faga, Melila Purcell III, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Michael Lafaele, Amani Purcell and Karl Noa.

"All of those guys," Watson said. "They always call me up before game days. They tell me to go out there and represent them. They tell me we're not just playing for us, we're playing for everybody who's been through the program. I'm thinking of doing that in the future, calling up these guys and reminding them about the history of the program."

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