Lakalaka gets a taste

Steven Lakalaka knows exactly what lesson he’s extracting from his first scrimmage with the Hawaii football team.

"Poise," the freshman running back said without hesitation.

Lakalaka was a bright spot for the Warriors about halfway through their Saturday scrimmage when he punched through the goal line from 2 yards out for the offense’s first score.

Then the Punahou product endured a rough stretch almost immediately afterward; he fumbled twice in a span of about 5 minutes, both right after taking handoffs.

Lakalaka recovered the first fumble himself, but the second was picked up on the run by linebacker George Daily-Lyles.

"Right after I dropped that ball, Coach (Keith Uperesa, running backs) told me to just ‘move on’ and ‘next play.’ He just expected me to get back up. So I just took all the anger in and let it all out. Nothing to lose."

Lakalaka closed out the scrimmage in fine style, picking up yardage in batches of 5 to 8 during the final two series comprised largely of younger players. He had a sweet spin move off a defender for extra gain on one play. Then, on the final play of the day, he converted a fourth-down situation needing about 3 yards.

It was an encouraging sequence from one of Norm Chow’s most highly touted recruits. Lakalaka thanked his offensive line for creating gaps and fullback Jared Leaf for giving him someone to follow.

Uperesa nodded his approval of Lakalaka’s bounce-back.

"I’m more concerned that if our guys do make a mental mistake somewhere out there, I always gauge it on what they do on the following snaps or reps coming up," the position coach said. "And he performed real well coming back after that. It’s exciting. I think he’s going to add some things."

Lakalaka was a Star-Advertiser All-State first-team running back after rushing for 1,147 yards (5.3 per carry) and 12 touchdowns as a senior. He showed off his pass-catching ability in the state final against Kahuku, scoring twice on receptions.

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound power runner was formerly a solid commit to UCLA, but changed his mind and stayed in the islands after the Bruins’ coaching staff was fired after last season and Chow made a push. He’s one of several backs competing for playing time in UH’s pro-set offense.

"He’s the kind of recruit we like to keep at home. No question about it," Chow said. "Besides being a good player, he’s a good young man, and that’s the kind of guys we like to have."

Lakalaka said he’s happy with his decision and takes pride in being part of one of the most diverse football teams in the country. Nay, the world.

But as far as helping create a mentality that the best local talent can stay at home, Lakalaka — no longer sporting his recognizable long hair — said he was concerned on the here and now.

"I’m just trying to go step by step," he said. "Trying to do my best and don’t worry about anything else. Just do me, and after that it will fall into place."