Receivers hurting It seems the favorite route for many Hawaii receivers in fall camp is around the outside of the practice field with strength and conditioning coach Mel de Laura.
Hawaii’s starting spots
Bearcats trying to make name for themselves
are accounted for, though
the corps is on the mend
Chang still can start opener
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comGerald Welch, Nate Ilaoa, Justin Colbert, Bryant Stephens, Nainoa Kuna, Britton Komine, Omar Bennett and Denny Flanagan have all had various leg problems keep them out of practice and with de Laura's walking wounded group. Also, Kanale George incurred a mild concussion in Saturday's scrimmage.
But receivers coach Ron Lee is confident his charges will continue to heal up and take form as a cohesive unit as camp winds down.
"A lot of our receivers are dinged up, but that means the other guys have a chance to get reps and get better. So it works out good in that way," Lee said. "I think all the injuries are fairly minor and they'll all be back. I worry a little about Gerald, his knee. He had major (knee) surgery and it's been four months and he's already running around. He's still 70 percent. The other guys, they're all getting better. As we lighten up, their legs will get back and they'll be fine."
The last two-a-days are tomorrow, meaning the Warriors will have an entire week of two-hour practices -- rather than five hours a day of running around -- before the opener against Eastern Illinois on Aug. 31 at Aloha Stadium.
"(The injuries are) just typical things that happen in camp," said Colbert, the lone returning starting receiver. "We'll have some time to rest our legs before the first game so everybody will be ready to go. As for now, we've just got to get our timing down. But we're looking better every day.
"At the beginning some of the guys were nervous, guys were fighting for position, whatever. There were a lot of dropped balls. But we're looking better every day."
Lee said he plans to start Colbert and Neal Gossett at the wide spots and Chad Owens and Clifton Herbert inside, barring anything strange between now and next Saturday. The competition for the next tier is wide open, though.
Colbert's old high school teammate, JC transfer Jeremiah Cockerhan, fought through soreness the past few days and was impressive in yesterday's afternoon practice. He, George, Mike Akiu, Lamont Williams and Daniel Inferrera have had good camps and could get playing time at the wide spots.
Most local football fans are familiar with St. Louis School alums George and Inferrera, and Akiu, the Kamehameha grad whose father of the same name is a former UH standout. Williams is a different story; he graduated from Aiea High School after moving here from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He arrived too late to play football at Aiea, but was invited to walk on based partly on the recommendation of Na Alii basketball coach Rodney Cavaco.
Lee said Williams reminds him of another gangly freshman he first saw four years ago.
"He kind of reminds me a lot of Ashley (Lelie). He's not quite as fast and he's not as strong yet," Lee said. "But he's a great athlete and he's smart."
At the inside position, freshman Ross Dickerson is making it difficult for the coaches to redshirt him. He shined in Saturday's scrimmage, and is shedding the questionable-hands tag some put on him despite two-time Star-Bulletin all-state credentials at St. Louis.
"I don't know," Lee said when asked about immediate plans for Dickerson. "I haven't talked to June yet. Britton Komine is back, Nate Ilaoa is back. I don't know about Gerald. And Chad Owens and Clifton are there. Ross is a freshman and has that option to redshirt. I think next week we'll get a better idea."
BACK TO TOP |
... In 1993, Hawaii went 6-6 and 3-5 in the WAC as senior quarterback Michael Carter completed a career that ended with him second in the UH record book in total offense with 6,032 yards. In 1991, Carter surpassed 1,000 yards rushing (1,092) and passing (1,172). He holds the school record for touchdowns with 38 and TDs responsible for with 58, and is second in career scoring with 228 points.
Today, Carter lives on Oahu and works as a stevedore.
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