[ UH FOOTBALL ]
STAR-BULLETIN / DECEMBER 2002
Hawaii's Keani Alapa, who blocked a punt against San Diego State last season, says the Warriors enjoy depth at linebacker.
Depth key
to Warriors’
defense
No one is expected to be an ironman on the Hawaii defense this season.
New defensive coordinator George Lumpkin plans to throw plenty of fresh bodies into the action while it's happening, following the pattern set by his predecessor, Kevin Lempa. The philosophy is necessitated by UH's run-and-shoot offense and facilitated by quality depth through all three layers of the defense.
"We'll rotate players," Lumpkin said. "We want to end up having two groups of starters so we don't have guys playing 75 of 80 plays. We'd rather have guys playing 40 and 40 if we can. You have to hope you can be able to find 22 guys on defense who you think can play and do well. I think we have that."
The run-and-shoot lengthens games and puts lots of pressure on a defense. Senior linebacker Keani Alapa -- who has been platooned to varying degrees his entire UH career -- doesn't mind sharing time with backup Chad Kapanui.
"I think it's going good. We're almost where we need to be. At the linebacker position we've got so much depth, so we're probably going to have two starters. Guys will probably play almost the same amount of plays," Alapa said. "We have good depth. I don't think it falls off from first to second, and even after that."
Alapa is joined by middle man Chad Kalilimoku and Ikaika Curnan on the other side. The three have looked solid throughout fall camp and barring injury will start when the season opens a week from Saturday against Appalachian State.
Kapanui, Watson Ho'ohuli and Kilinahe Noa are the next three 'backers, and they'll get in almost as fast as the second line in a hockey game.
"It's still competitive for the second group," Alapa said. "You've got T.J. (Moe) and the coaches are moving Lincoln (Manutai) around, looking for a way to get him in the game."
While the linebackers have remained healthy, the secondary depth was tested by weary legs last week and what promises to be an excellent defensive line took a couple of hits to its second and third layers yesterday.
Kenny Patton and Gary Wright, the nickel and dime DBs who are all important in the wild, wild Western Athletic Conference, and solid safety backup David Gilmore have spent lots of time on the sidelines. Patton and Wright have returned, but Gilmore was still resting a sore back yesterday.
Safety Lono Manners and cornerback Omega Hogan scrimmaged well Saturday, and coach June Jones said true freshman corners A.J. Martinez, Ray Bass and Ernest Powell might be able to contribute this year.
UH's front four has been without its centerpiece, tackle Isaac Sopoaga, since last week, because of an old back injury. He and end Travis LaBoy, another impact player, who is out with a recurring groin problem, are expected back by the end of this week, defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said.
But yesterday, end Kevin Jackson also sat out with a leg strain. He was joined later by backup tackle Matt Faga (subluxed shoulder) and reserve end Kila Kamakawiwo'ole (broken bone in hand). Faga and Kamakawiwo'ole both got hurt during yesterday's practice.
"Matt wanted to come back right away, but the trainers want him to get X-rays," said Singletary, who thinks all five will be available for the opening game. "Kila can probably come back with a soft cast. Both of those just depend on how tough the kids are."
Even with the various injuries, the Warriors feel they have their deepest defense ever.
"It's going to help us big time," Alapa said. "We get more plays on defense than any other team in the nation. If we split the time we're still getting a good amount to play, and we can still play our hardest every play. When I'm on the sideline I can see from a different angle what we're supposed to do. We can definitely help each other out."
Jones acknowledged the injuries are piling up, but he is thankful none are serious.
"It's unfortunate and you wish you didn't have them, but you just have to battle through them," he said. "We're getting better. We're sharp. We've just got to push through another two or three practices and then we game plan. So hopefully we get everybody back on the field by next Monday."
