Watson hopes for
quick return

Hawaii true freshman defensive tackle Keala Watson is hopeful he can play football again by next season. He has a blood-clotting problem that sidelined him after two games this fall.

At the time, it looked like the Nanakuli graduate's promising college career might be over after it had barely begun. But medication might help Watson's condition so he can get medical clearance to suit up and play next year.

"I'll be going to the mainland to see some doctors there who specialize in it," Watson said. "It looks like there's a good chance."

Warriors coach June Jones is also hopeful for Watson, who has attended practice daily despite being sidelined.

"He's a great kid and he's going to be a heckuva football player," Jones said.

Watson seems to stand a good chance of having this season count as a medical redshirt year.

Out on the town: It's a brand new world for freshmen like Jason Ferguson. It's the third go-round for veterans like Justin Ayat. But they agree Hawaii Bowl week is fun.

"It's definitely a great experience. All the activities, the per diem, and the hotel rooms are so nice," Ferguson, a receiver and kick returner, said. "We've had a little free time, so we can walk the strip and see things we normally don't have time to see."

Ayat, a senior kicker from Waipahu, is in his third straight Hawaii Bowl.

"It doesn't get old," he said. "We do some of the same stuff, but it's good fun because we're all together. I almost never go to Waikiki, so I get to play tourist."

Ferguson, who almost always has a smile on his face anyway, is especially happy this week because he gets to spend time with his brother, Donovan White. White is the starting point guard for the Fairfax High School basketball team in town for the Iolani Classic.

Where the pros play: UAB quarterback Darrell Hackney is well aware that the NFL's best play each year on the same Aloha Stadium field he is on this week.

"I've watched the Pro Bowl on TV the past four or five years. It's exciting that now I get to play on the same field they play on. It makes me want to work harder so I can get back here again someday," Hackney said.

The Blazers were scheduled to practice from 8 to 10 a.m. today, tomorrow and Wednesday at Aloha Stadium.

On leave: The father of UH junior defensive end Melila Purcell, also named Melila, arrives in Hawaii today, on leave from military duty at Ft. Bliss near El Paso, Texas.

The elder Purcell is a U.S. Army reservist who was called up to duty shortly before the football season started. The Pago Pago, American Samoa, resident is a sergeant in the 100th Infantry Battalion, most of which is based in Hawaii, but which also has a detachment from Samoa.

Purcell and his fellow citizen soldiers from Hawaii and Samoa have been training at Ft. Bliss for future duty in Iraq.

"It's great," the younger Purcell said. "He'll be here for the game and Christmas."

Short yardage: Defensive tackle Larry Sauafea (hamstring) and Ferguson (groin) were among those on limited participation at yesterday's practice. ... Junior safety Lono Manners, who played in six games before a season-ending broken ankle, is practicing. But defensive coordinator George Lumpkin said it is very unlikely the former starter would be able to play Friday. ... Offensive lineman Chad Kahale, receiver Chad Owens and defensive back Abraham Elimimian participated in yesterday's graduation ceremony. The Warriors practiced at Saint Louis School's field due to graduation.