| Woo hoo....
I haven't posted on here since November. For some unknown reason I've resurrected my blog once again. Third time's a charm,eh?
Finally, I'm taking the long-belated plunge and will (finally!) attend UH-Manoa in the fall. I dicked around the past three years, trying to figure out what the hell I'm going to major in. Thankfully, I've come to some sort of a decision
I've decided to major in Journalism, although I want to get into the sports media relations/P.R aspect of it. A lot of the skills translate over anyway. I really want to work for a professional sports team. That would be ideal, I think.
It's quite refreshing to have some direction at last.
As a treat to those of you who may happen to still read my blog here's a story I wrote in May on the University of Hawaii fotball team.
Warriors confident in rebuilt line
By Russell Camara
Ordinarily, losing all four starters on the defensive line would be a cause for concern.
However, University of Hawai‘i defensive lineman Abu Ma‘afala is confident that, despite losing Travis Laboy, Isaac Sopoaga, Lance Samuseva, and Houston Ala, this year’s group of defensive linemen will outperform last year’s.
Key reserves Kevin Jackson and Keali‘i Aguiar were also lost to expended eligibility.
"A lot of people are freaking out because we’re losing Trav, Lance, and Isaac," said Ma‘afala. "All we need is to step up, get our technique down and play hard."
Tackle Lui Fuga echoed Ma‘afala’s sentiments.
"I think we’re going to do a better job than we did last year," said Fuga. "Right now, the guys are more hungry. I’ve seen some young guys stepping up to the plate and just wanting to win a spot."
Fuga, a quick, athletic tackle, is expected to anchor a line that lost two players to the NFL and four others to expended eligibility. He excels at tying up the opposing team’s offensive lineman, allowing Warrior linebackers to flow to the ballcarrier.
Fuga has fought through injuries his entire career, undergoing shoulder surgery in 2001 and knee surgery in 2002. He is currently awaiting word from the NCAA on whether he will be granted a sixth year of eligibility due to medical hardship.
Fuga will be joined in the trenches with Ma‘afala, a junior tackle from Kamehameha. Ma‘afala, who’s been primarily a third-down pass-rush specialist his first two years, acknowledges the need to become a more complete player.
"The NFL isn’t just looking for a pass rusher," said Ma‘afala. "They’re looking for a guy who can play the run, too."
Mel Purcell, Tony Akpan and Ikaika Alama-Francis are expected to man the defensive end positions.
Purcell, a 6-foot 5-inch, 258-pound end from American Samoa, is considered to be as sure a thing as anyone on the defensive line. Last year, head coach June Jones said that, barring injury, Purcell will be a number one draft pick when he leaves Manoa.
Purcell is a tall, rangy player who excels at rushing the passer. He collected 3.5 sacks last year and is expected to have a huge season.
"Mel, I think, is going to be a star for us," said Fuga. "He’s going to have a breakout year."
Purcell has also garnered the praise of defensive line coach Vantz Singletary.
"Mel’s looking great," said Singletary. "He’s really matured and is working hard in the weight room. Right now, he’s teaching and motivating some of the younger guys."
Akpan and Alama-Francis are two prospects that tantalize the coaching staff with their potential.
Akpan, a 6-foot 7-inch, 254-pound sophomore from Nigeria, displays tremendous upside and prototypical size. Akpan’s game, though, is still unrefined, having first put on shoulder pads just one year ago.
Previously, Akpan was an integral part of the Rainbow basketball team.
Singletary is impressed with Akpan’s development.
"He (Akpan) is adjusting well," said Singletary. "He’s progressing faster than anyone ever imagined.
"Tony’s a real smart guy. He understands the game and doesn’t make a lot of mental errors,"
Alama-Francis is another former basketball player trying to make the adjustment to football. The former Kalaheo hoops standout has drawn comparisons to Laboy during spring practice from coaches.
"I think Alama-Francis will be our Travis Laboy," said Singletary. "He can run plays down, rush the passer and drop back into coverage.
"He’s got a real swiftness about him. He’s like a snake in the grass. If you go to sleep on him, he’ll hurt you."
Incoming transfers Austin Jackson and Lawrence Wilson arrive in the fall to bolster the defensive line corps.
Freshmen Keala Watson and Lafu Tuioti-Mariner, nephew of former UH defensive tackle Tony Tuioti, will also don Warrior green in the fall.
Although the Warriors appear to make up their lack of experience with enormous potential, things could easily take a turn for the worse.
If Fuga is denied a sixth year by the NCAA, that would leave only Ma‘afala and reserve Matt Faga as the only tackles with previous Division-I experience.
Also, if Akpan and Alama-Francis fail to translate spring hype into on-field production, then the right end spot could be in trouble.
Failure to solidify the line could seriously put a damper on UH’s WAC title hopes.
Nevertheless, the coaching staff has few doubts, if any, about the ability of their linemen.
"I think we’re going to be okay on defense," said Jones. "We’ve got some guys who are young. We’ve got to hold it together and they’ll mature.”
For the Warriors, their championship dream may hinge on it.
Catch y'all later |
COWBOYS 12-10
