LIHUE » To map the Hawaii football team’s controlled scrimmage at Vidinha Stadium, it would be helpful to create an inset of the battle between cornerback Ne’Quan Phillips and wideout Chris Gant.

They went face guard to face guard in a matchup that highlighted their skill, confidence and competitiveness.

"He got real mad today," Phillips said. "I got into his head. It’s a defensive effort."

Gant said: "I just don’t back down. No matter what it costs, I don’t back down."

In a scrimmage-like session, Phillips broke up two passes intended for Gant. On one, it appeared Phillips pushed Gant from his route. Gant unsuccessfully appealed to the referee for a pass-interference call.

Later, both players exchanged barbs.

"He can’t out-talk me," Phillips said. "I try to get into his head on purpose."

Asked to describe Phillips, safety John Hardy-Tuliau said: "He’s not shy. He’s aggressive but not reckless."

Defensive end George Daily-Lyles said Phillips has "a mouth on him. Does he back it up? He backs it up. That’s what we want out there. I like to call him ‘Bulldog.’ He looks like one. He plays like one. He has attitude. He has a thick neck."

Phillips actually was following orders. The coaches wanted the corners to play aggressive bump-and-run coverages. The idea was to teach the receivers to work out of jams.

"We wanted to get real physical on them," Phillips said. "We wanted to jam them on the line. It’s going to help them in a game."

Gant said: "The more competition, the better. We’re going to give each other our best. That’s going to make it better for us in a game."

Phillips acknowledged respect for Gant.

"I like him because he talks back to me," Phillips said. "Trevor (Davis) will just go back to the huddle. CG will talk back to you. He’s very competitive. He doesn’t let anybody talk to him and stuff. He’ll go hard every play."

Trading places

Saturday’s practice was a tale of two momentums.

The offense started off well, then was inconsistent in the red-zone sessions. The defense opened sluggish, then toughened in the later sessions.

"We had a good practice on Thursday, and we started off good today, and then we kind of lost focus," offensive coordinator Aaron Price said. "We have to finish better than that. I’m a little disappointed in our play on offense in the second- and third-down period. We have to finish."

Marcus Langkilde provided one of the bright moments with a 60-yard run for a touchdown. Langkilde, who redshirted last year, is competing at running back, fullback, motion back and H-back.

"I’m trying to be all-around," Langkilde said.

Chris Wiesehan, who coaches the running backs, said Langkilde does well in the aural exams.

"He has great listening skills," Wiesehan said. "That’s what separates people who play and people who don’t play. Knowing what not to do is to know, and he knows because he listens. It’s easy to plug and play him."

Defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said the offense "came out popping us awfully early. We settled down. You expect our (defensive guys) to start out fast. The offense started out fast and started hammering us. That’s when our guys get upset. We can’t let that happen to us."

The receivers were able to get open on over-the-top routes, but didn’t cash in because of drops.

"The offense did a good job of exploiting our weaknesses," Kaumeyer said. "Once that happens, it makes us go over and make sure we get things done. We are going to have to work on those things."

Shigematsu back home

Right tackle SeanShigematsu, in good health after two injury-filled years, welcomed Saturday’s homecoming.

Shigematsu is a Kapaa High graduate.

"It was great," Shigematsu said, scanning Vidinha Stadium. "I played here since I was 8. It was nice to be back and step on the field that has so many memories."

Shigematsu was a quarterback from PeeWee football through his sophomore year at Kapaa.

His father is Delroy Shigematsu, a former basketball and football standout. His mother assisted event organizer Lenny Rapoza, director of Kauai’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Football lessons aid mayor

Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho said he uses his experience as a UH football player in his current job.

"It’s all about the team," Carvalho said. "It’s all about overcoming adversity. It’s all about being prepared. It’s not about making mistakes, it’s about making adjustments. I use the field experience in how I manage government."

Carvalho, though, is a skilled politician. Asked to choose between "Rainbows" and "Warriors," Carvalho said: "Rainbow Warriors."