Whether Chauncy Winchester-Makainai has another high school game to look forward to will be determined tonight.

Where he'll play once he graduates from Kailua is a bit more certain.

The Surfrider offensive lineman accepted a scholarship offer from Hawaii, informing the Warrior coaches of his decision yesterday.

“;When I was a kid I used to watch them play and I just wanted to play for Hawaii,”; said Winchester-Makainai, who looked up to former Warrior lineman and Kailua graduate Samson Satele.

Winchester-Makainai (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) said he was also in contact with Colorado, Oregon, Arizona and Washington, but decided to stay close to home.

“;I didn't really want to go to the mainland, but I kept my options open,”; Winchester-Makainai said.

Winchester-Makainai, who credited the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance with helping him through the recruiting process, plays both guard and tackle for the Surfriders and attended UH's Big Man Camp this summer.

Another former Kailua lineman, Kainoa LaCount, is expected to join the Warriors in the spring.

Kailua's season hinges on the result of tonight's Roosevelt-McKinley game. The Surfriders will qualify for the OIA playoffs if Roosevelt wins.

QBs stay focused

Even if they aren't on the field, Nick Rolovich wants Hawaii's quarterbacks to stay “;in the game.”;

“;I told them we're all in this together, so I need all your guys' eyes, I need you in the game,”; Rolovich said. “;I want them trying to figure out if they can see something (in the defense).”;

Junior Greg Alexander served as the backup last week and was the only quarterback other than starter Inoke Funaki to take snaps yesterday in UH's final full practice before facing Louisiana Tech tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.

“;It's still the same approach,”; Alexander said. “;I just always have to be prepared and try to get better every day. ... At the same time I'm learning a lot just from watching (Funaki) and Tyler (Graunke).”;

Injury update

Defensive tackle Fale Laeli will be held out of tomorrow's game. Laeli has struggled with an ankle injury he suffered against Weber State and head coach Greg McMackin said he could return for next week's game at Boise State.

A decision hasn't been made on Rocky Savaiigaea's prospects for returning this season. Savaiigaea reinjured his triceps two weeks ago against San Jose State.

In the house

About 36,500 tickets were distributed for the UH-LaTech game as of yesterday afternoon.

Ford Island will be available as an alternate parking site along with Kam Drive-In, Leeward Community College and Radford High School.

Aloha Stadium's lower Halawa gate opens at 1:30 p.m. The other gates open at 2:30 p.m.