2016 Hawai'i Football Fall Camp
Day 1: Into The Fire: Football Opens 2016 Camp With Strong First Day
Day 2: Football Building The Team Behind The Team
Day 3: Shells On And It's Sweet Home Hawai'i For Football Staff
Day 4: Summer Dedication Paying Off As Football Camp Rolls Into Day Four
Day 5: Football's Offensive Line Leading The Drive Into 2016
Day 6: Experienced Outside Receivers Unit Looking For Big Plays In 2016
Day 7: Returning Inside Men Provide Versatility For Football's Offense
Day 8: 'Bows Rise To Meet Challenges
Day 9: Deep, Experienced Running Backs Look To Propel Offense In 2016
Day 11: Cornerbacks Rely On Experience, Depth To Reload In 2016
Day 12: The Combination Of Experience And Youth Strengthens 2016 Safeties
Day 13: Few Questions Exist Among Football's 2016 Specialists
Day 14: H-TV: Defense Bought With Coordinator Lempa's Culture Changes
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team stepped up the energy on Tuesday at Cooke Practice Field once more under first-year Head Coach
Nick Rolovich It was a very eventful day for the Rainbow Warriors, amping it up with the assistance of two other squads.
At the midpoint of Tuesday's session, the UH cheerleading team joined the Rainbow Warriors during the 7-on-7 portion of practice. The cheer squad separated into two groups, with the mauka group cheering on the defense and the makai side rallying the offense, continuing their own game simulation through the team periord. The infusion of boosted energy carried the Rainbow Warriors throughout the day.
After practice, several players remained on the hillside to observe the final moments of the Rainbow Wahine soccer team's morning practice. As the Wahine wrapped up the day, a friendly crossover contest began. Soccer challenged football to a round of penalty kicks.
Stephen Yaffe netted the first goal for football, followed by a hands save by
Marcus Kemp in goal. In addition,
Alex Trifonovitch and
Dayton Furuta chipped in the final goals for football. While the Wahine triumphed in their natural sport, 4-3, camaraderie was on full display. Watch the full video here below:
As we continue to preview the Rainbow Warriors this season, there is another highly-experienced unit back for the offense in 2016 in the tight ends.
"We talk about those guys being really rare players because they have to do a little bit of the run game, be involved in the passing game and provide pass protection," tight ends coach
Mayur Chaudhari said. "Plus they all play special teams because they're a body type that fits a lot of different molds."
The Rainbow Warriors return both primary 2015 starters at the position in
Metuisela "Tui" `Unga and
Dakota Torres, who combined for 32 games of experience. Unga comes in at 6-5, 240 pounds, while Torres is at 6-2, 245.
"We've got great diversity," Torres said. "We've got Tui who's a tall guy; big target. Kaiwi [Chung] and I are big-bodied guys that can block in the trenches and can take a beating if needed. We have a good balance in the group."
A junior, Unga led the unit in receiving with 11 receptions for 170 yards, while Torres picked up 98 yards on 11 grabs of his own. Neither scored a touchdown. The only position loss is four-year end
Harold Moleni, who graduated last fall.
Also, 6-6, 230-pound junior
Davasyia Hagger is back in the mix as a hybrid end/receiver. Last season, Hagger played in seven games largely on special teams, catching one pass for 13 yards before an injury cut his season short. In one season at Orange Coast College, he registered 43 receptions for a team second-most 620 yards and second-most six touchdowns.
A trio of Rainbow Warriors shift over to tight end from other positions this season. After a year serving on the defensive scout team as a defensive end, 6-5 freshman
Sione Kauhi moves back to his natural position. At Wilsonville High School (Ore.), he posted 18 catches for 270 yards as a senior. Moving over from wide receiver and putting on some added bulk is junior
Andrew James-Ho, at 6-2, 240. Before one year in junior college, James-Ho put up 850 yards and 13 touchdowns on 55 catches as a senior at San Mateo High School.
Sophomore running back
Kaiwi Chung weighs in at 240 pounds on his 5-11 frame, and has found a natural position change after making the move to tight end. He prepped as a center on the offensive line at Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama.
"He's a smart player who's tough and gritty, and holds himself very accountable," Chaudhari said. "He has a huge role in the run game, but is a very fast-twitch athlete."
Much like last season, it should be expected to see multiple tight ends in different formations to exploit matchups, especially with the variety of options afforded by the new opened offense under offensive coordinator
Brian Smith. That should pose no problem for this tight-knit unit.
"They're all fighting to be the starting tight end but they all know they have to push each other to be the starter, and that makes the whole group better," Chaudhari said. "That's the unselfish way they approach the room. It makes it really fun to coach because they all understand the greater good is for the whole team to win together."
Whether that pans out to more activity for the unit in the passing game remains to be seen, but the players are excited and ready to fill whatever role is asked of them.
"Everybody hopes to be involved in the passing game, but I'm happy with my role," Torres said. "If I've got to block the whole game, I'll do it, maybe score a touchdown here and there, but I'll do what needs to be done."
The Rainbow Warriors dig deeper into their preparation for the season opener, coming up in 11 days in Sydney Australia against California. The squad has just four days of practice before heading to the southern hemisphere, beginning Wednesday at 6:30 a.m.
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