PARK RIDGE, N.J. >> The University of Hawaii football team put on a clinic during Wednesday’s two-hour practice.
Because of a scheduling conflict, the Rainbow Warriors and a New Jersey Pop Warner team were set to practice on the same field.
The youth team volunteered to work out on a smaller field. But midway through UH’s practice, the youth players were invited to train with the Warriors.
“It was awesome,” UH quarterback Cole McDonald said. “I feel, at some point in time, we were playing Pop Warner or flag or tackle. It was awesome to give back to those guys and reminisce about the old days and where we are now.”
The youth team ran routes against the Warriors, and even participated in simulated blocking drills.
“It was exciting that we were able to work with little kids who look up to us and want to be in our shoes in the future,” UH linebacker Jahlani Tavai said. “I think we did our best to influence them on that path and let them know anything is possible.”
In advance of Saturday’s game against Army, the Warriors arrived in New York on Wednesday morning from a 10-hour, non-stop flight from Honolulu.
The bus ride to a hotel in New Jersey took nearly three hours. But the Warriors appeared to be refreshed during the late-afternoon practice.
“I had a huge nap,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said, smiling. “I think (the players were) OK.
They got some good sleep today. They had a good practice. It was a little different without the scout team.”
The travel-roster limit meant the Warriors left home many of the developing players who simulate Army’s offense and defense during practices. But defensive back Cameron Hayes, who has portrayed Army quarterback Kelvin Hopkins this past week, ran plays against the Warriors’ first-team defense on Wednesday.
“He looks really good,” Rolovich said of Hayes, a backup nickel back. “He’s doing a nice job.”
Hayes was aware the Warriors were playing Navy and Army — both triple-option teams — this season. Hayes volunteered to portray a triple-option quarterback during player-run practices this summer. Hayes studied videos of Navy and Army, and memorized about 70 of their plays. In practices this week, Hayes was shown a flash chart of a play. He then ran it at full speed.
“He has an affinity for it,” defensive coordinator Corey Batoon said. “He’s a good athlete, a good communicator. He gets the guys lined up correctly. He enjoys doing it for us.”
Hayes said: “It’s not that hard. As long as you do your job, and everybody does his job.”
Batoon praised Hayes’ quick-thinking. “He’s football smart,” Batoon said.
Hayes’ intelligence and diligence extend into the class room. Hayes, a fourth-year junior, is set to earn a bachelor’s degree in December. After that, he plans to either take classes toward an MBA or pursue studies in business law. Hayes and his mother crafted an academic plan early. As a 14-year-old freshman at Junipero Serra High, Hayes took a summer class at El Camino College. He accumulated 15 credits before enrolling at UH in August 2015.
