Dickerson’s
turn arrives

The UH junior is aiming to earn
a starting spot with the Warrior
receiver corps

Hawaii receiver Ross Dickerson has earned the title of Mr. August. The fourth-year junior always performs well in preseason camp, and his game highlight, a 100-yard kickoff return, came on Aug. 30, 2003, in a season-opening win against Appalachian State.

That's nice, but Dickerson would rather be the Fall Guy -- as in September, October, November and December.

He has that chance now, as the leading contender to start at right wide receiver when the Warriors open against USC on Sept. 3.

"I feel like I'm in a lot better shape, and I have the right mind-set," Dickerson said after Saturday's practice. "Before I thought I won't be playing, so I didn't work out as hard."

Dickerson came to UH from Saint Louis School in 2002 as an all-state slotback, but he got stuck behind players like Chad Owens, Britton Komine, Gerald Welch and Se'e Poumele, and started just two games in 2003. He caught eight passes for 57 yards and rushed three times for 25 yards.

He was moved to wideout last year.

"With the guys we had, we needed someone with a little bit of quicks on the outside," receivers coach Ron Lee said.

But Komine had also been shifted outside, and the senior played ahead of Dickerson, who again started only twice. He did play in all 13 games, catching 15 passes for 143 yards.

All the people who played ahead of Dickerson are gone now. Lee says "it's his time." The coach thinks he's ready, physically and mentally.

"I always thought he was mature in the sense he kind of kept to himself and was always very serious. He's definitely getting a lot more mature on the field as far as understanding the offense and what the coaches want from him," Lee said. "This is his time, with all the other receivers gone. He tweaked his hamstring in the spring, but still had a heckuva spring. He understands what he needs to do. He's steady in school, I think he got a 3.0 last semester. He's really focused."

Lee said it's "too early to tell" if the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Dickerson will emerge as a leader this year on a team in serious need of some. Dickerson said he'll try to lead with his actions.

"I'm trying to show a good example to the younger guys," he said. "That way I can help them get better and get better myself at the same time."

Kaonohi back on scholarship: Junior offensive lineman Marques Kaonohi, who briefly left the program earlier this year, has regained his scholarship, coach June Jones said.

The 6-foot-1, 261-pound Kailua graduate went to Tennessee-Chatanooga with the intention of playing there. But he never enrolled for the spring term, and got back to UH in time to do so at Manoa. Kaonohi played well in spring practice, and is considered a top backup at center and both guard spots.

Senior receiver Ian Sample, junior running back Bryan Maneafaiga, junior linebacker Victor Fergerstrom and sophomore linebacker Micah Lau also have been put on scholarship, Jones said.

This week's schedule: After yesterday's day off, the Warriors were scheduled to return to the grass practice field today for a 2-hour session beginning at 4 p.m.

Practice is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. tomorrow and Wednesday, and 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. from Thursday through Saturday. There is also a 3:30 to 5 p.m. session on Thursday.

Tomorrow is the first day in full pads.