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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 26, 2009

UH FOOTBALL
Makai play does the trick

Photo gallery: UH Football Spring scrimmage

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

After taking a lateral, Makai slotback Jon Medeiros unleashes a pass to Jovonte Taylor for a 50-yard touchdown play.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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University of Hawai'i football coaches Ron Lee and Cal Lee are best friends who share the same parents.

They see each other every day, and keep no secrets. Well, maybe one: the Medeiros Special.

In UH's intrasquad Warrior Bowl yesterday at Aloha Stadium, slotback Jon Medeiros threw the go-ahead 50-yard option pass to wideout Jovonte Taylor for a touchdown to lift the Ron Lee-coached Makai to a 28-26 victory over Cal Lee-led Mauka.

The game, before 3,726, marked the final day of spring training.

"He kept his mouth quiet," Cal Lee said of his brother's game preparation. "He didn't tell me anything. I knew about another trick play, but he didn't run it."

With Mauka leading 26-22 and about 11 minutes left in the third quarter, Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw suggested that Ron Lee call the trick play.

Makai quarterback Bryant Moniz lateraled to Medeiros, who had run a bubble route to the right. With the defensive secondary moving up, Medeiros threw to Taylor at the 10. Taylor sprinted the rest of the way to complete the scoring play and give Makai the lead, 28-26.

"Nobody was going to catch me," said Taylor, who is capable of running 100 meters in 10.3 seconds. "He underthrew it a little bit, but it worked out."

There was a reason the spiral was hardly perfect. Medeiros was wearing gloves.

"I feel better with my gloves on," Medeiros said.

Medeiros, who will be a senior in the fall, was a quarterback at Kapolei High,

"High school reminiscing," he said, smiling.

Ron Lee suggested the play during a Makai meeting Thursday. Brent Rausch, Makai's starting quarterback, was given the full details. But the backups were kept in the dark.

"I didn't even practice it," said Moniz, a walk-on quarterback who led Leilehua High to a state championship. "But it worked out perfectly. Right when I tossed it to Jon, I saw the defense coming up. I knew it would get exciting."

Ron Lee said: "We just talked about (the play), but we didn't practice it. That's probably the best way. It worked out. Maybe we're coaching too much. They just need to go out and execute."

It was the second year in a row UH's offensive coordinator defeated the defensive coordinator.

"I tell you what, it was a hell of a play, something that we'll learn from," Cal Lee said. "As DBs, we have to play the pass. It's not a trick play, gosh almighty, if you drop back."

To be sure, both teams showed enough offensive punch. Taylor caught five passes for 135 yards. Makai slotback Dustin Blount had four catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Blount, who redshirted last season after transferring from Compton (Calif.) Community College, scored on the game's opening play. He caught a pass in the right flat, eluded a defender and sprinted untouched the rest of the way to finish the 70-yard play.

"The first guy who comes up and tries to tackle me is going to miss nine times out of 10," Blount said. "I was a little amped, a little hyped up."

Blount had promised himself a steak dinner if Makai won. His performance matched his steak choice: well done.

Taylor, who withdrew from classes in October after he lost 25 pounds from a viral infection, returned to school — and good health — in January.

Taylor is listed as the No. 3 wideout, but he continues to make big plays. He credited Friday's off day.

"I got my legs right, and my body got the rest it needed," Taylor said.

Moniz completed 12 of 18 passes for 149 yards, and Rausch was 8 of 12 for 143 yards.

The Mauka also had strong offensive performances.

Greg Alexander, who exits spring training as the No. 1 quarterback, completed 10 of 15 passes for 152 yards, including a 3-yard scoring pass to wideout Rodney Bradley.

Shane Austin, who will receive a scholarship this summer, was 13 of 24 for 183 yards.

Austin and wideout Billy Ray Stutzmann collaborated on a 58-yard scoring pass.

Stutzmann, aligned on the right, was given a "choice" route. He faked the cornerback to the outside, ran part of a post route, then sprinted straight ahead. He chased down Austin's pass.

"He made a great catch," Austin said. "He set the corner. I look at that. That's my first read. If he sets (the corner) nice, I'll come back to him. He left the corner in the dust. I just gave him a chance, and he made a great catch. He's young, but he doesn't play like he is. He has some great speed and some great hands. You can count on him."

Stutzmann should be a Saint Louis School senior. But he completed his studies in December, and enrolled at UH in January. While he might be a candidate to redshirt in 2009, his performances might delay any decision.

"If they want me to play, I'll play," Stutzmann said. "It's up to the coaches. ... I feel great out there. Guys have been taking care of me. It feels great to compete for a spot."

Stutzmann still plans to participate in Saint Louis' graduation ceremony next month. Whether he attends what should be his senior prom is another matter.

"I have to find a date," Stutzmann said, smiling.

Mauka's Inoke Funaki also concluded a successful spring. Funaki, who started six games at quarterback last year, was moved to running back this spring.

He has become a capable blocker — essential in a four-wide, one-back offense — and the Warriors have crafted a special scheme for him. The "Noke" is a play in which Funaki, as a running back, takes the direct snap.

Mauka did not use the "Noke" offense yesterday, but its namesake rushed five times for 21 yards and a touchdown. Funaki culminated the 6-yard scoring play by diving into the end zone.

"I accidentally tripped," he said, laughing. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to. But it worked out."

Funaki said the first series was difficult because he inadvertently taped his feet tightly.

"They were numb," he said. "I had to loosen it."

Head coach Greg McMackin praised the spring work. He noted the offensive line, which was penalized 28 times for holding last year, was not called for holding in three spring practices.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.