WAILUKU, Maui >> It was a triumphant but painful homecoming for Wyoming linebacker Leo Caires. Caires hurt in MVP effort
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe Maui High School graduate, who first went to Wyoming on a rodeo scholarship, was in on a game-high seven tackles. He was voted the game's defensive MVP.
He was the top tackler despite leaving the game due to injury with seven minutes and 55 seconds left in the third quarter. Caires was taken to a hospital with a broken leg.
Other players for the Kai team with local ties were fullback Ken Walker (Moanalua/Washington), tackle Mike Souza (Punahou/Northwestern), guard Faaesea Mailo (Kahuku/USC), guard Ed Ta'amu (Iolani/Utah), defensive tackle Jerry Togiai (Kahuku/Kansas State) and offensive lineman Kika Kaululaau (Waianae/Nevada).
Walker carried once for 4 yards. Caires also returned a kick for 12 yards. Togiai made a tackle.
Out of position, but in position: Jermaine Chatman's interception of Eric Crouch with 10:49 left in the first quarter set up the game's first scoring drive, as Major Applewhite and Nick Rolovich took the Aina 90 yards on 10 plays. Verron Haynes capped it with a 3-yard score at 7:15. The Aina never trailed.
"I did OK, considering I haven't played free safety since high school," Chatman said.
Chatman was among three players with two interceptions each. Ahmad Brooks for the Aina and Rick Sherrod of the Kai also turned the trick.
Quote of the day: "It was sort of like one of our games. We're in Hawaii, we put up some points, and the crowd was awesome," said MVP Nick Rolovich.
Spurrier moves on: Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier didn't display much emotion after what was technically his final college game (and his first since announcing he was leaving the Florida job).
"That was kind of done after the Orange Bowl," he said. "But we did keep score here, so it counts."
Aina head coach Bob Stoops was smiling all week, and especially after the game.
"This was a great experience," the Oklahoma coach said. "I had the opportunity to work with a great group of players. It's always fun to win."
Settling in: While Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Eric Crouch got off to a terrible start, with two interceptions in his first five passes, he said he felt he redeemed himself enough later in the game.
He helped engineer a long scoring drive (completing passes of 15 and 16 yards to Pete Rebstock and Aaron Lockett), and caught a 33-yard pass from Brandon Doman as a wide receiver.
"I got to play some special teams, too, that was good," he said. "It took a while to get in sync at quarterback, it was a matter of getting on the same page with everybody. That last long drive felt pretty good.
Warrior report: In addition to Rolovich, seven UH players participated. Wide receiver Craig Stutzmann caught a pass for 7 yards. ... Defensive end Joe Correia made a tackle. ... Safety Nate Jackson made 5 tackles and an interception. ... Safety Jacob Espiau made 2 stops. ... Defensive tackle Mike Iosua made two solo tackles. ... Outside linebacker Robert Grant played made four tackles. ... Manly Kanoa played on an offensive line that allowed only one sack.