WARRIOR FOOTBALL
Kafentzis continues family tradition
The UH linebacker is the latest in a line of hard hitters
Apparently, hard hitting is handed down generation to generation.
Outside linebacker Tyson Kafentzis provided the most impressive blow of Hawaii spring football camp yesterday, popping the helmet off of 298-pound running back Reagan Mauia at the line of scrimmage during team drills.
Even in full-speed practice plays, the Warriors aren't supposed to tackle each other. But coach June Jones said there's nothing wrong with separating a ball carrier from his headgear.
In fact, he liked the collision.
"We got a good tempo going today, and sometimes that's what happens in spring, with guys trying to make the team," Jones said. "Things get turned up a little bit, and that's good."
The hit, by the 220-pound sophomore from Richland, Wash., was quintessential Kafentzis. His father Mark, uncles Kent, Kurt, Kyle and Sean, and brother Landon were all known for crushing tackles.
With Landon (a sometimes-starter at safety) completing his eligibility last season and cousin Mikhail (a walk-on backup at running back) transferring, it's up to Tyson to live up to the legacy for now.
"I'm the last of the Mohicans," he said. "But I don't feel any pressure to live up to our name. I really enjoyed playing with my brother, and I'll miss him this year. But our family doesn't worry about stuff like that. We just try to make plays."
Kafentzis played in all 12 games last year, mostly on special teams. But he did see considerable action at linebacker, and finished with 16 tackles. His playing time this year will depend on being in the right place at the right time.
"So much of it with these guys is knowing the right thing to do on defense," Jones said. "Tyson had some time to grow up last year and hopefully he learned to be accountable on his assignments. We know he plays hard and he'll hit you."
Kafentzis is ready to compete for a starting position, outside linebackers coach George Lumpkin said.
"He's very responsible. He didn't play that much last year, but now he knows the defense and he's studied it well," Lumpkin said.
Both OLB spots are wide open with starters Kila Kamakawiwo'ole and Tanuvasa Moe having completed their careers last fall.
Freshman Brashton Satele impressed Jones yesterday, and sophomore C.J. Allen-Jones has also had a good camp. In addition, junior defensive tackle Karl Noa is getting a look at the hybrid end-linebacker strong-side spot Kamakawiwo'ole played.
"(Noa is) a good rush guy. We like him standing up or with a hand down," Jones said. "And Brashton Satele really showed up today. Just watching him today he looks like the real deal at outside linebacker."
Kafentzis said he's confident the 2006 Warriors will bring back memories of UH's defense of more than 20 years ago, when a previous generation of his family, along with Satele's father, Alvis, helped lead a unit known for gang-tackling and big plays.
"I feel the camaraderie is up a lot. The defense is swarming. It's our second year with Coach (Jerry) Glanville's system, so everyone's a lot more comfortable," Kafentzis said. "Everything's clicking and we're flying around. We don't have to think anymore, so there's a big-time difference."