Safety battle continues

Desmond Thomas said his response was "Praise God" when he learned yesterday morning Hawaii's first of two football practices for the day was canceled.

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"I thought it was a good chance to rest the legs," said the Warriors junior, who is battling Keao Monteilh for the starting safety job next to Jake Patek.

But after a 2 1/2-hour afternoon workout, Thomas had a different take.

"We have to pick up the tempo. We can't afford to take a day off, we were flat," said the junior from Vallejo, Calif.

Thomas said he felt a little off-key because he's used to morning practices.

Coach June Jones canceled the morning practice to let the field dry.

After the afternoon workout, Jones said he tentatively plans to go with a three-headed monster of David Farmer, Kealoha Pilares and Leon Wright-Jackson as the "starters" against Northern Colorado on Sept. 1.

As for the safety battle, there are situations where Thomas and Monteilh are both in the lineup.

"Both of them have done good things. Desmond has made a lot of good plays to the ball," Jones said.

Tackles interchangeable

Jones said he hasn't decided which sides starting tackles Keith AhSoon and Keoni Steinhoff will man -- and he might not for a while. Steinhoff came into camp on the left, but the two changed positions earlier this week.

"Keith looks good on the left," Jones said. "We could keep it that way. Both of them need to be comfortable on both."

Making the grade

Defensive end Francis Maka knew the job was tough when he took it. The senior defensive end takes heavy doses of physics, math and engineering courses -- tough classes athletes are often encouraged to avoid. They can damage even a very diligent student's GPA.

But Maka did what he needed to do in summer school to remain eligible, getting a B in calculus III and an A in geography. He said it's not his way to take the easy way out, and he enjoys math and science.

"All by my choice. If football doesn't work all the way for me, I want to be backed up with something that will help me get a good job and that I will enjoy," Maka said.