Gener, Poti compete for last spot on D

The University of Hawaii football team probably will wait until after Thursday’s practice to cement the final starting position on defense. 

Julian Gener, who suffered a season-ending injury in last year’s third game, and Simon Poti, a transfer from Fullerton College, are in a dead heat for an inside linebacker’s job. The Warriors open against Washington on Saturday at Aloha Stadium. 

"There’s still competition,"defensive coordinator Kevin Clune said. "It’s very tight. The guys will rotate through there. Who actually runs on the field first is to be determined."

Tevita Lataimua, a senior, will start as the other inside linebacker in the Warriors’ 3-4 base scheme. 

Clune is preparing for scenarios this Saturday and future weekends. 

"We’ve got to be prepared for what this team becomes," Clune said. "This team will evolve, and we have to be prepared for that, whether it’s injuries or it’s guys stepping up. This defense will continue to grow and evolve throughout the year. We’ll keep getting better and better."

Maggitt not holding grudge

Cornerback Dee Maggitt said he missed a chance to play for Washington because of a coaching change. 

The Huskies were recruiting Maggitt in 2008, when he was a junior at Lakes High in Tacoma, Wash. 

"Everybody wants to go to their home school," Maggitt said. 

But Ty Willingham was released as head coach at the end of the 2008 season. New coach Steve Sarkisian  and his staff re-evaluated the recruiting list. 

"Everyone ended up receiving a scholarship (offer) except me," Maggitt said. 

Maggitt recalled being intrigued by Hawaii when the Warriors played in the Sugar Bowl in 2008. 

"I was thinking, ‘Man, that would be cool to go there,’ " Maggitt said. "I never thought in a million years I’d go there. I didn’t know how recruiting worked. I thought they only recruited Hawaii players."

But UH had strong interest, and aggressively pursued Maggitt. 

"You have to go where you’re wanted," Maggitt said, "and they wanted me."

But Maggitt said he harbors no grudge against Washington. Sarkisian is now USC’s head coach. 

"To me, personally, the rivalry’s gone," Maggitt said. "Coach Sark is gone. If I felt wronged by anyone in that program, they’re not there anymore. There’s no grudge. (Washington) being a Top 25 team, a Pac-12 school, me personally, I just want to play for my team. I’m not going to get more up for this game than any other game."

Stevenson thankful

Taz Stevenson, who transferred from Washington last month, said he is grateful for the scholarship he was awarded this past weekend. 

"Nothing was guaranteed," said Stevenson, who was prepared to pay his own way this semester. 

He said he chose UH because "of the love of the game and the chance to continue my education." Stevenson earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington in June. He is pursuing a master’s in Pacific Island studies.