Building on Pride Rock
“The bowl was one small step for Hawaii football, one giant leap for Pride Rock,” head coach Nick Rolovich said following the 52-35 victory in the Hawaii Bowl.
With a final 7-7 record, the Warriors enter Year 2 even. Here’s what to look for on offense entering 2017:
> Quarterbacks: The Warriors will have the exact same composition — three scholarship quarterbacks, two walk-ons — entering the new year. Last year’s three scholarship QBs (Ikaika Woolsey, Aaron Zwahlen and Beau Reilly) departed the program. The 2016 spring walk-ons were Hunter Hughes, who is expected to return, and Toagamalu Brown, who did not come back for the fall semester. The Warriors will have a young QB group in 2017. Zwahlen was a second-year freshman and Reilly a third-year sophomore this past season, but they were older because they had served church missions before joining the Warriors. This spring’s QB group includes a junior (Dru Brown, who was 6-4 as a starter), two third-year sophomores (Cole Brownholtz and Kyle Gallup), and a second-year freshman (Cole McDonald).
> Running backs: Paul Harris and Steven Lakalaka have completed their eligibility, but 1,000-yard rusher Diocemy Saint Juste returns. Freddie Holly III, Ryan Tuiasoa and Mel Davis will get their shots in the spring. The wildcard is Genta Ito, who is a compact and tough back. He was named the offense’s top scout. Fullback Kaiwi Chung, who underwent knee surgery last month, should be at full strength for the start of training camp.
> Receivers: Wideouts Marcus Kemp and Makoa Camanse-Stevens are big losses, but Keelan Ewaliko, Ammon Barker, Kalakaua Timoteo III return. The redshirt tags also come off Rolovich’s interpreter Kumoku Noa and senior Isaiah Bernard. Devan Stubblefield, who underwent a knee procedure, might be ready for spring ball. Marcus Armstrong-Brown joins next month. The Warriors are set at the slots with John Ursua and Dylan Collie.
> Offensive line: In a credit to line coach Chris Naeole’s cross-training, the Warriors lose two starters (Leo Koloamatangi and RJ Hollis) but return four starters (Dejon Allen, John Wa‘a, Elijah Tupai, and Asotui Eli). There’s a fifth counting JR Hensley, who started in the Hawaii Bowl. Allen’s pro future probably is in the interior, but he’ll stay put at left tackle because of the deep talent at guard/center. Fred Ulu-Perry, who transferred from UCLA a year ago, and Eperone Moananu, who redshirted as a sophomore, enter the active rotation. Matt Norman can play every position but center; Chris Posa can play every position but tackle. Kingjames Taylor is a budding star.
Foist
First?
Thanks for the summary ST. Looking forward to a similar synopsis of defensive returnees.
ST – do you know which players may be applying for a hardship year?
Not worried about the offense . . .
What a finish!!! Looking forward to next season. Was a little disappointed in the number of fans at the game. Wish more came to watch and support the Warriors in the Hawai’i Bowl. And yes, I was at the game too. On the hot side.
Also watched the replay of the game. Was nice to see that the ESPN announcers were “even” on calling the game. Giving credit to the Warriors when credit was due and not talk mostly of MTSU.
(Our OC16 football TV announcers should take notes on how to announce a football game, hey don’t get me wrong, but R&R needs to be more focus on the game instead of just talking).
Anyway, congratulation Warriors on winning the bowl game! Good luck to all the seniors and thank you for being part of the UH Warrior ohana.
I am looking forward to the next celebration…
Holly’s Day.
#5…ditto. I read your subliminal message.
We are in the middle of the dead period, through January 11, 2017.
But, all is not lost because written and electronical communications are allowed.
I too am looking forward to “spring ball” as many underlings ready to make the jump to #s 1 or 2 — QB will be most interesting — how good will Kavalapua (sp) be? will he crack the barrier and become one of the few true frosh to start on OL? maybe groom him to be the LT?
ST : you posting the “D” tomorrow? IIRC, there are several interior young guns who red-shirted in 2016 and could make an impact in 22017.
BTW, did Zeno Choi play in the Hawaii Bowl? I do not recall seeing his number on the field.
I think our Aussie “rush end” may be better suited as the MLB — 6’4″ 245#s with 4.5 speed — cleared to play in 2017 or is NCAA still stirring the pot?
Nice overview Stephen. Looking forward to Fred Eperone in the mix along with Matt JR and KingJ. In keeping with the numbers need at least 2 or 3 OL. Rb needs another body or two. DL and DB are biggest needs. Been watching recruiting updates on Scout. The other guys picked up a few commits but nothing major. Looking forward to some surprises to the good in coming weeks. Regarding Zeno who is one of my many favorites he did not play. I love this kid!
Morning Tsaikos!
Haoa dis fo you:
http://brucey.net/nflab/statistics/qb_rating.html
#10 – Aloha A-House and Happy Holidays. You pose some good questions regarding that youngster from Austrailia, Enesi Kavapalu. Of course there are no valid answers to your questions.
1 – How good will Kavapalu be? Hopefully he will be pretty good, eventually.
2 – Will he crack the starting lineup as a freshman? Possibly, although he’ll have a pretty steep learning curve.
3 – Maybe groom him to be a left tackle? That’s a possibility. However there’s a lot that has to happen before he can be declared a left tackle. As we said earlier, he has a pretty steep learning curve. However, hopefully he can make an impact early on the way Moala did this season on the defensive line. Only time will tell.
Keeping fingers crossed that all of his paperwork for admission to school will be in order.
The outside receiver spot concerns me. Ewaliko and Barker have not shown consistency. Timoteo will finally get a chance to get more balls.
What concerns me more is that Stubblefield missed the entire ’16 season. Is it the same knee that caused him to miss the ’14 season? When did he injure it? He was definitely a bright spot 2 seasons ago.
Everything on the offensive side looks pretty decent with other kids waiting to play from rolos recruits.
Just the defensive side of the ball NEEDS to GET BETTER
Hawaii had an OK season with the bowl win but IF the defense was better they would have won alot more.
Congrats to coach rolo because this season is still way better than the norm chow years put together.
aloha!
DLM: Hey, thanks. Very cool link. Live and learn. I will give that formula a whirl for many games.
Man if you add Ulu Perry and KingJames to the returnees on the o-line that’s looking like a pretty good – no, a freaking good – unit for us. Have always felt, more than anything else, if you have a strong o-line you’ll have a good football team.
Things look good on paper for the offense. Can’t wait til next year!
*burp*
Nice to meet you today, Capt. Ron!
Brother, missed you and Kifi.
Good food. Good friends. Good to meet someone new.
Paralysis set in within minutes of arriving home.
Terrific time had by all.
Nice to meet you, too, DPK, and all the others I now have faces to go with the names. Great time!
Now, a question – broadcasters have always said “make a first down” or something similar regarding the first down line. Now, I keep hearing “the line to make” referring to the same line. Why is it changing?
Yes, wafan, the struggle is real. Food coma!
*mpfffhrmm…
gfruuummmptt*
*burp*
heheheh
Woah!
Great cc today with Slugger and wafan plus moa.
No Offense, but waddabout da D?
The Hawaii Bowl is on you tube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx2qarmlMOU
#6 Obake – I’m probably in a minority, but I agree too much talk on tv. I’m getting tired of hearing Robert say “you gotta love it” every time a player gets flagged for backing up his team mate.
# 14…..I agree that Keelan and Ammon are inconsistent. That is why I think guys like Marcus Armstrong Brown, Devon Stuublefield, Isaiah Bernard and the incoming freshmen will get a long look.
If you play D1 football for three years(like Ewaliko and Barker)and you still haven’t improve….chances are you maxed out on improving. There comes a point in time where you need to move on and give others a chance. Cannot keep on giving the same players chance after chance after chance and expect different results.
see the pride has returned to the rock
http://www.espn.com/watchespn/player/_/id/2944780/
CHEEHOO!!!
Perhaps there should be a standard for readability for posts.
No mention of offensive linemen Josh Hauani’o, Austin Webb and Arona Amosa.
#29 – the standard should be passing a drug test.
Like #3 … “Hawaii Mongoose” … looking forward to a synopsis for our “D” … sure hope we can land some “beeg buggahs” at DT … sad to see Zwahlen & Reilly transfer but I heard that RS Freshman Cole McDonald is “the real deal” … can’t wait to see how “Rolo” does in recruiting, Spring Camp, and the start of the ’17 Season. Planning on a “road trip” for the Nevada game when the MWC schedule is announced
Capt. Ron, Bless you for UH game link on you tube.
Looks so much better than the scrambled eggs I had
to suffer thru Christmas day on my poor Oceanic basic tv
package.
Western Carolina a member of the Southern Conference that plays in the FCS ranks. Colors are purple and gold and mascot is the “catamount”. What is a catamount you ask? A wild cat,that roams the nearby mountains of the Carolinas’. It can be a Lynx, Cougar, Moutain Lion or cross bred of any combination. The Western Carolina Catamounts finished 2-9 this year. Before any “fans” start with the “we ought to be playin” stuff just take a look at the Moutain West openers of our opponents or better yet the Vaunted Alabama Crimson tide did not play a top ten team all year long! I for one will welcome the “Catamounts” With open arms! GoWarriors!!!!!
Correction Alabama played two top ten teams this year Tennessee and Texas A & M
hey, maddog50, don’t even try to compare hawaii with alabama…when you are in the top tier and have the talent like alabama, then they can play any non-conference schedule they like unlike hawaii playing teams like western carolina….give me a break trying to mention hawaii in the same breath at alabama…….
#35:
I do not believe Maddog50 was trying to compare Hawaii with Alabama.
his post was reference to UH playing Western Carolina who may be a FCS team, but Appalachia St went to the “BIG HOUSE” and beat Michigan at home about 4 years ago — we went there to see a 63 – 3 UH trashing by Michigan on 9/3/2016.
many of the top Power5 teams play “downward” to open each season in football and basketball and they have no “shame” doing so! neither should we!!
like Maddog50 I welcome playing a FCS team or 2 in any given year — cannot go against the Ohio St and Wisconsin [ 2015 ] to start the season — that’s almost a guarantee loss – although we witnessed a very stout UH “D” in each game until they got worn down by bigger, stronger, and faster players
lest we forget UH playing their last home game against the likes of USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, etc. and played them well
all of the above teams had their 1st team playing well into the 4th quarter because the score was too close
and, I for one, look forward to the day when UH can do the same and maybe even win those games — it happened before — why not in the future??
back in 1966, I visited Hazard, KY and heard many stories of the “catamount”
pretty young thing wanted to marry me so she could come to Hawaii — told her that is NOT a reason to marry and took me to visit her family in Hazard
believe I was the very first Oriental they ever saw! very polite and casual folks!!!
ST:
how is your “defense” summary coming along?
A 7-7 record and a Hawaii Bowl win on national TV was a great way to end 2016 season.
Mark May said it best on TV. Rolo is the right coach at the right time for the Hawaii football program.
Congratulations to the players and coaches for a nice turn around season!
anyone hear of any commitment for 2017 via “text” or “email” or “fax” or “phone” or “face-book”?
no ‘in-da-face’ contact, but can go nuts with wireless — go coaches!!!!!!!!!
Mark May on the Hawaii Bowl — suckah talk so fast and mumbles – eye had hud time undahstanding wot he waz talking!
but, gottasah admit — they did well in pronouncing the “poly” names
Morning Tsaikos!
Guess the loss to us left a bad taste in their mouths:
https://twitter.com/mcmurphyespn/status/814220277383106560
eye remembah Peter Kim as a frosh kicker at UH then transferred to Alabama to finish his football career
how many national championship rings did he earn?
whoa — ST must be soooooo busy he no can post the 2017 “defensive” players
plus, all at the mooooooo call all had double servings – typical hungry Tsaiko! – eye mean fill da-plate to da top kine!
remember when UH went to Alabama and nearly won the game – Colt Brennan’s last ditch pass in the end zone was a “tad” low — if not, UH victory
das wen Alabama was on NCAA probation — net year they came to Aloha Stadium and score was kinda close — no blow out!
46.
You have your time periods mixed up. When UH went to Alabama it was 2006 and yes they almost won. When Alabama was on probation was 2002 when they came to Aloha Stadium and UH lost by five. Alabama also came back the next year in 2003 and that’s when UH won. Colt Brennan wasn’t here until 2005.
Thea
disregard the thea on the bottom. typo
Wow. Not even 50?
Then, 50!
Forgot . . . thank you to mom and dad for lunch yesterday. Unnecessary but very appreciated!
Thank you!
I really like our returning tightends. We should be good there. Our dline is young but I like how they improved thru out the season. Hopefully we will be able to find a big body that can take on the double teams.
#45. I think you need to go change your eyeglasses .
ST posted the defensive outlook on this post quite sometime before your inquiry…?