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WARRIOR NOTEBOOK

Kapanui puts on a show

Perhaps it's not too late for University of Hawaii head coach June Jones to reconsider Chad Kapanui shifting from quarterback to outside linebacker.

After last night's practice, the freshman from Roosevelt High School put on a show that had everyone at Cooke Field looking on in wonder.

It started out with Kapanui throwing to wideout Ashley Lelie - who stood 60 yards away on the sidelines -- telling teammates to watch this.

"Throw it," Lelie yelled to Kapanui, who took one step and threw a perfect strike to Lelie, who didn't have to move a step. The pass wobbled a bit -- Kapanui would later say the ball was junk -- but it hit Lelie right in the hands.

Not to be outdone, former St. Louis School quarterback Joe Correia got into the act. The senior defensive end challenged Kapanui to see who could throw farther.

"That's no contest," Lelie said from the sidelines. Correia wound up and threw a pass about 65 yards in the air. Kapanui took one step and threw the ball 77 yards.

"I threw one pass 80 yards in high school," Kapanui said after the contest was over.

He threw six balls more than 70 yards, prompting sophomore quarterback Mike Harrison to say, "The man is blessed." He knew you can't teach arm strength.

Kapanui was moved to linebacker last Saturday, but it was obvious he would still like to be under center. He plans to play first base for the UH baseball team in the spring.

"I would like the chance to play quarterback some day if Coach Jones would let me," Kapanui said. "But right now, I'm learning to play linebacker."

Harrison and Shawn Withy-Allen walked off the field together shaking their heads at Kapanui's show of strength.

"If I threw one pass like that," Withy-Allen said, "my arm would be dead.

"The guy is so talented."

Thompson a Cover boy

Jones was busy watching pass plays in the afternoon workout when he caught a reporter out of the corner of his eye looking at the latest issue of "ESPN The Magazine."

"Is that the new issue?" Jones asked, walking over, but giving instructions to receivers every step of the way. "Now, that's a nice shot."

Jones was referring to the two-page spread of Afatia Thompson spinning fire, while teammates Mike Iosua, Joe Correia, Kynan Forney and Chris Pinkney looked on.

"Karman Saulsberry is going to be pretty upset," Jones said. "He's right on the edge of the picture, so you can't tell who he is."

Hawaii sports information director Lois Manin said the picture, which is part of ESPN's college preview, took three hours to shoot. There's also a short article by Eric Adelson accompanying the picture.

Peters not in yet

Freshman defensive back Leonard Peters will talk to Jones today to discuss his future with the Warriors this season.

As of yet, he is not academically sound, and may wind up going on a mission, much like Kahuku High teammate Orlando Wong.

"We'll know more what his status is (today)," Jones said. "We're pretty sure everyone else will be available to us this season."

That includes defensive lineman Houston Ala. The Kamehameha Schools' product was cleared academically to practice with the team on Tuesday.

Aloha Stadium workouts

Still undecided what day next week the Warriors will scrimmage, Jones did concede yesterday he may work in a second practice at Aloha Stadium.

"We're scheduled to go out there once," Jones said of the closed workout set for 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Aug. 26. "It's closed, but I don't think we'll scrimmage out there."

Jones wants one workout at night so his newcomers get a feel for the place under lights. So far, no night practices at the stadium have been scheduled.

Injury update

This afternoon's workout was the first in full pads. The light practices this week have cut down on the number of injuries.

So far, quarterback Jared Flint's bum shoulder is the only major injury. Jones would like the list to remain short.

"We're going to keep contact at a minimum," Jones said. "This grass field is in such great shape, I think it will cut down on the minor bumps and bruises we have had in the past."

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By Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin