Higgins keeps his chin up and his head in the game

Quarterback Ikaika Woolsey finished a set of plays with the University of Hawaii’s No. 1 offensive unit Monday when Jeremy Higgins began to trot onto the field … only to be summoned back.

Three weeks before the first day of fall semester classes, Higgins was already invoking lessons learned from his major, sports psychology.

"Gotta stay positive," Higgins said.

Two things were evident about the quarterback situation before the opening day of preseason practice concluded under a broiling afternoon Manoa sun: the starting job is Woolsey’s to lose and Higgins, who had exited the spring sharing the No. 1 spot, remains chin-up positive and resolutely undeterred.

"It sucks not getting the reps, but, at the same time, I know I’m going to get my shot one of these days," Higgins said. "So, I’m just gonna keep showing up and be ready when the team needs me."

The way Higgins goes about it, patting Woolsey on the helmet after a good play and explaining some of the intricacies of the offense to the two newcomers, says a lot about the longest-serving performer at the position.

"You’d love to have a roster full of Jeremy Higgins-type guys," said head coach Norm Chow, who was impressed enough to offer Higgins a scholarship last year. "You know he is going to work hard to be the best he can be — and be a good teammate."

Higgins is a fifth-year senior, beginning his fourth campaign at UH and coming off an ankle injury suffered at the end of spring. All of which have combined to put him in a crunch for practice time while the ‘Bows are under the gun to determine a depth chart at quarterback. They want to look at freshmen Beau Reilly and Eric Prater and prepare for the Aug. 30 opener against No. 25 Washington that is now just 25 days away.

"It is tough, but I understand that the coaches have to make their decisions and I can’t worry about that. I just have to do my job," Higgins said. "My job is to come out here and, when I get the chances, show them that I can move the ball."

It is something he has proven adept at in the spring and in his one start two years ago at Air Force. What he has lacked in arm strength he has gone a long way toward making up for with football acumen and intelligence. "He’s shown he can manage a game very well," Chow said. "He’s smart and understands what we’re trying to do, which is why he’s the guy who signals (plays) from the sidelines."

It has been a long journey for the Saint Louis School graduate who was an All-State second-team selection in 2009. One that initially took him to Utah State before returning home in 2011. In the process, he’s been under three head coaches and five offensive play-callers.

Now, as the end of his career creeps up on him, Higgins looks around and says, "I kinda feel old. It is crazy how fast it has gone. Before it is over, I just want the chance to prove that I can get the job done. I’ll be ready."

"That’s why the guys love him," Chow said.

Somewhere along the way this season, you figure Higgins will seize the opportunity to show them just how much he means to them.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.