Warriors begin to work on plan for season opener

Hawaii will use its final week of spring football practice to review basics, continue player evaluations, and also to get a jump start on preparing for its first two games of the 2008 season, coach Greg McMackin said yesterday.

UH has four practices left (including Saturday's spring game at Aloha Stadium). The first was scheduled for this morning.

"We'll finalize some repetitions and we might add a few more things," McMackin said. "And we're going to work on some Florida and we're going to work on some Weber State."

The team will be split in two for Thursday's practice, McMackin said, but probably not by offense and defense as usual. Offensive coordinator Ron Lee and defensive coordinator Cal Lee have already drafted their teams for the spring encounter, which will be in a regular-game format rather than offense against defense. McMackin is considering using the practice to let the teams prepare for Saturday.

"We'll split the field in half like we do for offense and defense," he said.

The Warriors have been hit by injuries, particularly at defensive tackle, with Fale Laeli and Rocky Savaiigaea out for the rest of the spring and Josh Leonard dealing with a stomach ailment. But that has allowed more repetitions for New Mexico Highlands transfer Tuika Tufaga.

"He's a real pleasant addition," McMackin said of the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Kahuku graduate. "Physical, strong, competitive. He's had a good spring. With the way we roll in our tackles, it's important for us to have depth there."