Does DB have Wright
stuff to be an Idol?
Hawaii defensive back Gary Wright tentatively plans to audition for American Idol when the popular TV show comes to the islands looking for talent Sept. 28-Oct. 5.
"Everybody tells me I have a good voice, so I'm thinking about trying out," Wright said. "I want to make sure it complies with NCAA rules and everything. But if they tell me I can't play football and I have to go to Hollywood, I'm saying, 'Sorry, I gotta play football.' "
Wright, penciled in as UH's sixth defensive back in its "dime" package, is fending off challenges for playing time from young DBs like sophomores Omega Hogan, Cameron Hollingsworth and Lamar Broadway, and true freshmen Ray Bass and Ernest Powell, among others.
"Those guys are going to be real good. They're doing real well, better than I expected. And I love the competition, even though I'm a senior," Wright said. "This camp is probably the funnest camp I've had."
It's the ninth one for the Kalaheo graduate, counting spring ball. He was asked to look back to fall, 1999.
"The first year we had speed and athleticism. We had Jeff UIbrich and some other good players," Wright said. "But now we're deep. We can go two deep on defense and offense."
Field nearly ready: The goal posts were being raised at Aloha Stadium yesterday, according to stadium events manager Scott Chan.
"It won't be done until the lines are painted on, but I'm pretty sure it will all be done in time," Chan said. "(High school teams) Kaimuki and Pac-Five will break it in (Aug. 23)."
The Warriors were slated to practice at the stadium last Sunday. But because the turf wasn't ready, they won't practice there until Aug. 24, six days before the Aug. 30 opener against Appalachian State.
Hercules on his way: True freshman offensive lineman Hercules Satele (Long Beach Poly High) has been conspicuous by his absence. But he is expected to arrive in Hawaii today. Satele's cousin, second-year freshman Samson Satele, said Hercules was delayed because of the death of a relative.
Samson Satele sat out yesterday with the flu. His spot at first-team left tackle was filled by true freshman Jeremy Inferrera.
Coach Mitchell: Former running back Thero Mitchell visited practice yesterday, clipboard in hand; he is now running backs coach at Kalaheo High School.
"We're running the run-and-shoot, it's what we know," he said.
Former Warriors Tony Tuioti (head coach), Craig Stutzmann (receivers), Jacob Espiau (defensive coordinator), Karman Saulsbury (defensive line), and Yaphet Warren (linebackers) dominate the Mustangs staff.
Mitchell said UH will be fine at running back without him.
"They look good. They got depth. The returning guys, John West, Mike Bass and Michael Brewster, are all comfortable with the system and (West) Keliikipi, the big body guy, looks good, some protection," Mitchell said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what Mike does this year. I think he'll surprise some people."
Short yardage: Mark Rodrigues, a starting guard on the Chaminade basketball team that beat Virginia 21 years ago, and former UH All-American defensive tackle Al Noga were also among yesterday's visitors. ... Punter Tim Wright worked on kickoffs along with place-kicker Justin Ayat. ... Second-year freshman defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis said he will suit up today; he had to wait until he made up an incomplete grade. ... Backup kicker Nolan Miranda is sidelined with a sprained right ankle. ... Sophomore defensive back Kenny Patton is off crutches less than a week after diagnostic arthroscopic knee surgery.
