[ UH FOOTBALL ]
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii wide receiver Justin Colbert pulled in a pass during drills at yesterday morning's practice. The Warriors open against Eastern Illinois on Saturday.
Warriors enjoy Vantz’s It wasn't the moving out of their dormitory en masse Thursday. It wasn't the pool party Friday afternoon, nor the lone practice at Aloha Stadium that night.
end-of-camp dance
The assistant coach’s new and improved routine is impressive to the D-linemen
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comSo what really signaled the end of fall camp for the Hawaii football team?
The "Vantz Dance," of course, when assistant coach Vantz Singletary performed a two-minute routine for his chanting defensive linemen at the end of the final three-hour workout yesterday morning.
"That's a tradition. At the end of every camp he gives us a little shakin'," junior end Kevin Jackson said. "He was pretty good this year. He lost a couple pounds so he was swinging it a little more."
Jackson's routine seems to have improved from last year, too, enough that the 6-5, 229-pound former quarterback has passed second-team all-WAC performer Travis Laboy on the depth chart.
Laboy started camp strongly two weeks ago, but nagging shoulder, leg and toe injuries caught up with him.
Jackson and Laboy are good friends and can often be seen comparing notes on how to play the position they share.
"It's kind of fun. I admire Travis. He's one of the better athletes of all the guys out here, so it just pushes me," Jackson said. "It takes me to the next level in the sense I go out there and follow some of the stuff he's done. It pushes me. Good competition."
Laboy, who missed the season opener last year with a hamstring injury, hopes to be back practicing next week so he can at least play in -- if not start -- Saturday's opener against Eastern Illinois at Aloha Stadium.
"I should be ready. It's just the coaches' decision," Laboy said. "Nothing surprises me. We'll see what happens."
That's the attitude coach June Jones and staff have to take at several positions, as injuries have shaken up the depth chart a week before the first game.
"It's pretty much the same as most years," Jones said. "Almost everyone fought through them, which was good to see.
Here is a position-by-position analysis through the end of fall camp yesterday:
QUARTERBACKS
It's still anyone's guess if starter Tim Chang's pinkie will be healed enough for him to start Saturday. Chang threw twice last week, but his right hand was heavily bandaged yesterday. "It didn't swell up, but we'll have to see what the doctors say this week," Chang said. "It's irritating being on the side watching."JC transfer Jason Whieldon cemented the No. 2 position this week, with senior Shawn Withy-Allen also ready to play.
RUNNING BACKS
Nothing has changed much here; Thero Mitchell, Mike Bass and John West are the players, in that order. Michael Brewster could also get onto the field, and he and Jonathan Kauka are tireless scout-team players who are expected to do well on special teams.
OUTSIDE RECEIVERS
Seniors Justin Colbert and Neal Gossett retained their starting spots; Colbert returned this week after a sore calf kept him out of several practices the first week. Gossett has been steady.Jeremiah Cockheran and Kanale George are tall targets; Cockheran is faster, but George more experienced. Bryant Stevens, who had an outstanding spring, was out all camp with a bad leg.
Daniel Inferrera and Lamont Williams are talented but raw. True freshman Denny Flanagan will likely redshirt with a lingering hamstring injury.
INSIDE RECEIVERS
With Gerald Welch and Nate Ilaoa hurting, Clifton Herbert will likely start -- but it wasn't necessarily by default. Herbert had a solid, consistent camp. His hands have improved noticeably, as has his route-running.Chad Owens has the other side locked up. "He had an unbelievable camp," Jones said.
Jones said he'll "see how it goes" with redshirting true freshman Ross Dickerson. He said Dickerson is ready to play if necessary, but he'd like to hold him out for a year of development if possible.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Starting left guard Shayne Kajioka (concussion) and second-team center Derek Faavi (shoulder) missed some of last week's practices, but are expected to be ready Saturday. Chad Kahale replaces Kajioka on the first team for now.Wayne Hunter at left tackle and Lui Fuata at center are settling into their positions, but line coach Mike Cavanaugh is glad he has another week to make sure they jell with Kajioka /Kahale, right guard Vince Manuwai and right tackle Uriah Moenoa.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga missed the last couple of practice sessions with an infected toe, but Jones said he will be back to full duty tomorrow. Although starters Lui Fuga and Lance Samuseva are solid, the depth at tackle is questionable again because it's beginning to look like JC transfer Matt Faga might not make it -- he never did get to camp, and his number has been given to Robertson Sosene, a 6-2, 296-pound junior walk-on from American Samoa.Houston Ala and La'anui Correa join Jackson and Laboy to comprise a formidable two-deep at end.
LINEBACKERS
The coaches made a deep position even deeper by teaching Ikaika Curnan how to play on the outside. Chris Brown has been impressive in pass coverage, and Chad Kalilimoku continues to improve.Outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa had an outstanding camp, in Jones' estimation. Matt Wright remains the starter on the other side.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The quiet and effective cornerback tandem of Kelvin Millhouse and Abraham Elimimian continues to improve, and they've got plenty of young bucks behind them.The move of Hyrum Peters to starting strong safety pushes Chad Kapanui back to No. 2 again, but defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said Kapanui will still play a lot in running situations. Long-armed and speedy Sean Butts is the "center fielder" at free safety.
Keith Bhonapha plays in special situations, and David Gilmore is ready to play when needed.
Injured safety Leonard Peters (spleen, kidney) is out of the hospital and comes to practice, but it will likely be several weeks before he suits up.
Safety Lono Manners, a converted running back, is learning the position quickly and could rise up the charts.
SPECIALISTS
Punter Mat McBriar is getting the hang of holding for Justin Ayat's field goals and extra points.Punt returns will likely be handled by Herbert or Bass, with kickoffs taken by West, Cockheran or Brewster.
... In 1996, Fred vonAppen, right, coached Hawaii to a 2-10 (1-7 WAC) record in his first year. The only victories were against Boise State and UNLV. The Rainbows were blanked twice, at Wyoming 66-0 and at Fresno State 20-0. The season ended with a 59-10 loss to Wisconsin in which Ron Dayne rushed for 339 yards. Unfortunately for UH fans, the worst was yet to come -- the Rainbows went 0-12 in 1998 and vonAppen was fired.
Today, vonAppen works in student services at Century College in White Bear Lake, Minn.
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