The opening practice of fall camp represented an initial test for the University of Hawaii football team’s first-year members as they adjusted to a new set of schemes, teammates and coaches.
Even so, after months of anticipation, stepping onto the field on Thursday "felt like I was back home again," freshman linebacker Benny Fonua said.
The Kahuku graduate was among the newcomers eager to get to work acclimating to the pace of practice and learning their roles in the system as the Warriors began camp with a 2-hour session.
While Fonua was part of the freshman class feeling its way through its first college practice, junior offensive lineman Kapua Sai and cornerback Tony Grimes found themselves working with the first units right away.
Sai transferred from Utah, where head coach Norm Chow served as offensive coordinator last season. His familiarity with Chow’s system figures to make for a relatively smooth transition for Sai, who practiced with the Utes in the spring and worked at left guard with the Warriors on Thursday.
"I already know the plays, it’s just the individual calls on the offensive line are slightly different. But I know the gist of the scheme and where to go," said Sai, a Saint Louis graduate. "It’s easier to pick up than starting all over with a totally new scheme."
Sai’s first practice in Manoa was also his first playing on the same field as his younger brother, freshman lineman Kiha Sai, who signed with UH out of Kamehameha.
"It means a lot, not just to me and my brother, but also to our to our family," Kapua Sai said. "They’ve always wanted to see us on the same team.
"It’s kind of weird being in green and white coming from white and red. My family always used to be big UH fans. We were always season ticket holders. Growing up I always used to watch UH games, but I went away and now it’s good to be back home."
Grimes, a highly regarded prep prospect in Florida, was sharp in taking the first step of his second chance at Division I football.
He began his college career at Mississippi and played in 10 games as a true freshman in 2010. He was later suspended and eventually dismissed and played at Arizona Western College last year. Grimes also faced legal trouble in the spring when he was arrested and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
"(The second chance) is something for me to think about every time I step on the field," said Grimes, a junior. "Every day I thank God for another opportunity to come back out here. I go harder just for the simple fact that a lot of people didn’t have the history that I came from."
Grimes and the rest of the defense didn’t have much time to think during 7-on-7 and team periods in which they had to hustle back to their positions after each play while the offense rotated units.
"The tempo is high and the coaches expect perfection from us and they’re doing everything they can to prepare us for the first game of the season and this is just what I expected," Grimes said.
Fonua, last year’s Star-Advertiser All-State defensive player of the year, took some reps at middle linebacker with the backup units in the team periods.
"I wasn’t sure in the beginning, but as time went on I caught on, the team helped me out, the coaches helped me and it went smoothly," he said.
Amadi practices punting
The uncertainty regarding punter Alex Dunnachie’s status could create some double duty for a few players.
Dunnachie was arrested on July 7 on a DUI allegation and didn’t attend Thursday’s practice. His hearing in district court is scheduled for today.
In the meantime, receiver Chinedu Amadi did some punting early in practice on Thursday.
"I had to do it in high school," Amadi said. "Just had to help the team out my senior year only. I played soccer a little bit when I was younger so I know how to kick the ball.
"I’ll see how it goes. I’m just helping out and having fun with it."
Chow said receiver Scott Harding and running back Joey Iosefa will also get a look at punting.
