Afusia ready for next challenge
In 2010, the Warriors needed to rebuild the offensive line. They signed London Sapolu from the JC ranks, and made a future deal with Australia’s Blake Muir, who would delay enrolling for a semester. Then five offensive linemen were brought in for what was hoped would be a core group for seasons to come.
Sean Shigematsu and Jordan Loeffler, who grayshirted in 2009, were tall with good footwork. Frank Loyd Jr. was athletic. Dave Lefotu was considered the most ready. Then there was Kody Afusia — at 6 feet 2, the shortest of the group — who was an accomplished wrestler and field competitor. As a senior, Afusia was his league’s player of the year … on defense.
As part of a team-bonding activity during his redshirt year, Afusia was hypnotized into thinking he had 11 fingers. It was a twist, as we would learn. Afusia usually made believers out of others.
Afusia was never the fastest or strongest UH lineman. But after those miserably hot training-camp practices, Afusia was the fastest linemen running gassers. And early in his senior year, with his fractured hand in a cast, he found the strength and guile to neutralize defensive linemen and linebackers.
Yesterday, Afusia received an invitation to participate in the Arizona Cardinals’ mini camp this coming weekend. There are no guarantees, only a shot to prove he deserves another shot.
Afusia, who can count on 11 fingers the numbers of times he was doubted, embraces those odds.
Good Morning all!
Afusia – We believe !
GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!
Beautiful day in the Bay.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3866890/highlights/207718376/v2
Hmmm……
Congrats to Iosefa and good luck to Afusia.
good morning everyone !! sunday sunday !!
Good luck to our graduating Warriors.
Good morning! Go Joey! Go Kody! Is it August yet?
Persistence is power. Good luck to Kody and all of the other Warriors looking to get to the next level.
#5: Don’t get your point…Is this kid on our radar? Not sure we need any receivers or safties at this point.
Kody: Good luck…based on ST’s 2010 group, you’re the last man standing as others withered away. Make the best of your opportunity. I hope Yap gets a free agent look too…
I hope Joey plays up to his potential & avoids injuries.
I think Joey’s past injuries was something a few teams considered when looking for a FB. Then again, the 7th round injury probably not much of a factor compared to upside.
Was looking at the coaching staff and noticed Dirk Koetter was hired this year as the new offensive coordinator.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.
Great to hear news of Warriors drafted or invited to the NFL dance.
Guud Luck to All!
Volleybows need to know this is the new season! Slate is clean. I hope they understand an know, no matter how many times you beat somebody, they still can kick your butt! What you did yesterday no count.
Anybody want to see Pacman and Money do it again? Me thinks it’s over and done. Time to enjoy the $’s and take care of the health.
IMUA WARRIORS!
#12 Bowwar – Agree, hope Beau Yap gets a chance. Also hope Scott Harding gets a shot too.
Good morning everyone!
Go Joey Iosefa!
Good luck to Kody Afusia and the Warrior hopefuls!
#11,
Yup……as a safety prospect.
#11,
Definitely more than just on the radar.
Only 6 safeties (Jackson, Henderson, Lewis, Mulanga, Packer, Donovan) currently on the UH FB roster…….of whom 2 (Jackson & Donovan) will be seniors…….with 2 more (Henderson & Packer) going to be juniors.
It was heartbreaking when Afusia broke his hand early in the Washington game.
Good luck to all the UH players getting a look for NFL. Isn’t it ironic that none of the players are Chow recruits? Under JJ and even Mac, UH would have several players getting drafted or getting free agent tryouts. Under Chow? Not so much – just speaks volumes about the dump UH football is in now. Why does Chow play these little mind games about naming starter QB? Does anyone else have any doubts that Wittek won’t start as long as he’s healthy? Chow has no one else that’s close to being a legitimate Div.1 starting QB. I don’t go to spring practices and I don’t evaluate films but heck if I’m not right about the QB situation.
Nice walk-off HR in 14th by Kolten Wong…….
http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/122070656/st-louis-cardinals-sweep-pittsburgh-pirates-with-third-straight-walk-off
Judging by the amount of posts today, everyone is still hungover from the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight.
#22 bouncingball: No that is not “ironic.” Incorrect usage of the word. When using the word “ironic,” think oxymoron or paradox.
For example, it would be ironic if Chow’s players were all getting drafted and none of the players from JJ’s Sugar Bowl team got drafted.
Ironic means OPPOSITE of what you would expect. That does not apply in this case because it is expected from Chow’s poor results that none of his players would be drafted.
Good luck to Kody!
RE: truegreen #25
Thank you for pointing that out! I cringe every time that word is used incorrectly.
RE: kapakahi #23
So clutch!
What is oxymoron or paradox….is that the stuff you buy from COSTCO…to make the clothes clean ?
Paradox is two doctors
Awwww ok thanks burrito…. me always wondered why when there boat payment was due…them two always schedule me for n operation to take out sum organ…..
Me thought that mean… a pilot that lost his license… n was only allowed to a para-glide before u set me straight…thanks…
It looks as if Hawaii knocked Long Beach State out of tournament consideration. According to Baseball America, UC-Santa Barbara, Cal-State Fullerton and UC-Irvine(Last 4 In) are, currently, going to make the field.
Long Beach State is listed as one of the Last 4 Out teams.
If Hawaii wins out, they’ll finish 27-26.
Here is how some of Mike Trepasso’s unsigned recruits from the past two seasons are doing this season.
Jake Bauers(.250 4HRs 16RBIs)
Charlotte Stone Crabs/Tampa Bay
David Denson(.183 1HR 7RBIs)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Milwaukee Brewers
Blake Taylor(2014 stats: 2-1 5.34 20/23)
Kingsport/New York Mets
Kean Wong(.237 0HRs 10RBIs 6SBs)
Charlotte Stone Crabs/Tampa Bay Rays
Since it’s after 9p and the blog is slow, I wanted to give a shout out to Moani Nabarro (KITV) who was the MC at the Moanalua HS Aloha Concert at the NBC concert Hall last night. I know she’s the niece of one of the Tsaiko’s living in LA so I just wanted to mention that. She’s a MoHS alumni who played bass in the Symphonic Orchestra when she was there. Anyway, great job.
What’s going on with Scott Harding?, too old o’what??
Bouncing Ball #22, you should have gone to recent practices. The competition between Woolsey and Wittek is very close and recently Woolsey has outplayed Wittek in the 11 on 11 when he gets his snaps. Wittek is still getting most of the snaps, but he has struggled at times and is prone to INTs. Chow may have anointed him based on his history, so Woolsey may not get a real shot, but you never know. Woolsey has improved and Wittek has a ways to go to pick up the offense.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=30752