While several of his Leilehua High School football teammates Wednesday were signing college letters of intent and dreaming of their future, Rico Newman was sitting in a jail cell, facing a possible lengthy future behind bars.

An O'ahu grand jury yesterday indicted the two-time first-team all-state player on one count of first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping in connection with the alleged beating and sexual assault of his ex-girlfriend. Police arrested the 18-year-old Leilehua senior on Monday.

First-degree sexual assault is a Class-A felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Because Newman is charged with two felonies, he could face an extended term if convicted.

Newman remained in custody yesterday at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, unable to post $100,000 bail.

Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said Newman called him yesterday and admitted that he made a mistake. Tokuda said his star player was remorseful and wanted to make amends with his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend, who has a 2-year-old son with Newman.

Tokuda said Newman also was concerned about school because he's scheduled to graduate this year. But Tokuda said he told Newman to take care of his family and legal problems first and then worry about school.

"For him to call me, it was just great to hear from him. Knowing that he's going through these tough times, but he still wants to hear from his coach," Tokuda said. "I told him, 'Rico, of course I'm disappointed, but I'm not going to give up on you. We love you. Just learn from your mistakes.' "

Newman was an all-purpose player who had a key role on Leilehua's state championship team in 2007. He was a punter, running back, receiver and kick returner for the Mules, which appeared in the last two First Hawaiian Bank State Football Division I championship games.

On Wednesday, at least four Leilehua seniors took part in a national letter of intent signing ceremony at the school. Tokuda said Newman received scholarship offers from several small colleges, but that he has not heard anything from these schools since Newman's arrest.

Whether Newman will be able to graduate or go on to college is up in the air because of the seriousness of the charges.

Newman is accused of slapping, punching and choking his ex-girlfriend in his Koa Street apartment Monday afternoon. The woman told police that she had gone to the apartment to get their son, but she and Newman got into an argument over the care of the boy.

Newman struck her in the face and choked her before dragging the woman to his bedroom, according to a police affidavit filed in District Court. Newman then accused his ex-girlfriend of having sex with another man, the affidavit said.

Newman tried to remove her pants and she "resisted the advance by Newman, but was overcome by his strength," the affidavit said. Newman ripped a hole in her pants and sexually assaulted her, the court document said.

The woman went to Wahiawa General Hospital, where she reported the incident. Tokuda said police were unable to find Newman and told the coach he needed to contact his player and tell him to turn himself in.

Tokuda said he reached Newman, and that Newman admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Still, Tokuda, who has gained a reputation of being a compassionate coach who stresses sportsmanship, said he will continue to support Newman.

"We love our kids. They make mistakes, and we want to continue to support our kids and help them the best we can without enabling them. When they're wrong, they're wrong. Period," Tokuda said. "We always believe in God, and if God is a forgiving man, we are, too."