Rainbow Warriors let it rip in first full padded practice

On an overcast Saturday morning, the University of Hawaii football team brought the heat.

For the first time since the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, the Rainbow Warriors were in full pads. The third practice of spring training opened with the Oklahoma drills — 4-on-3 battles in a rectangle — and ended with a 30-play, scrimmage-like session.

Quarterbacks Dru Brown, Cole Brownholtz and Cole McDonald rotated. The offense had its moments — Diocemy Saint Juste’s 45-yard scoring run and a 35-yard pass from Brown to wideout Marcus Armstrong-Brown. But it was the defense that made the loudest impact.

Safety Keala Santiago and cornerbacks Cameron Hayes, Roe Farris II and Zach Wilson produced interceptions. Defensive end David Manoa nearly made a one-handed pick. Farris also raced across the sideline to make a leaping interception … and then rolled down the 10-foot hill onto the soccer practice field.

“See the ball, get the ball,” said Farris, who could not slow his momentum as he approached the hill’s edge. “I decided to roll down. It was steep. It was pretty fun. Rolling down the hill felt like the old days when you roll down the hill and get dizzy. That’s how I felt.”

The quarterbacks also had to roll the width of the field after the practice, presumably as a warning against throwing to players in the green jerseys.

Farris was bumped to the ground while awkwardly trying to tackle Saint Juste. Farris responded with an interception and two hard tackles.

“I’m trying to be physical every play,” said Farris, who appears to have the edge at one of the cornerback jobs. “I tried to gain weight in the offseason.”

Linebacker Russell Williams also delivered a rousing hit on running back Elijah Dale.

“Seeing all that hitting (during the Oklahoma drill) built up the juices inside,” Williams said. “When we finally got that live period, I finally got the chance. The dude was in front of me, and I let loose.”

Legi Suiaunoa, who was promoted to defensive coordinator earlier this month, said he was impressed with the effort. “The mentality we’re trying to create here is we’re always thinking about the football,” Suiaunoa said. “We understand when we line up for a defensive snap, it’s another chance to get that ball.”

Lewis cleared to practice

Safety Daniel Lewis, who underwent sports-hernia surgery last month, has been cleared to practice. Lewis is ahead of the projected recovery period of six to eight weeks.

Lewis said he suffered the injury as a sophomore in 2015, and that led to a hamstring injury this past season. He is expected to count 2016 as a medical-redshirt season.

Saint Juste working hard

The initial plan was to ease Saint Juste’s workload this spring. But Saint Juste has taken all of the reps as the No. 1 running back.

“I don’t feel I should be held back,” Saint Juste said. “I have to work on other things to excel my game.”

He said he is focusing on improving his strength, flexibility and durability.