Na Alii’s Kamana-Matagi added to Hawaii team

HONOLULU - Elvis Kamana-Matagi of King Kekaulike High School has been chosen for the Hawaii team for tonight's Hawaii/Polynesia-Mainland Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Kamana-Matagi, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound senior defensive lineman, joins Maui High defensive back Elika Laloulu on the roster of 30 football players from Hawaii and 10 from the Mainland with Hawaii ties announced last month. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m., and will follow the Hawaii Goodwill Senior Bowl, which is reserved for Oahu players. Both games will be shown on pay-per-view on OC-16.

Kamana-Matagi has written scholarship offers from Utah State and Nevada-Las Vegas.

Football Partners With WorldVision For South Pacific Islands Disaster Relief

With the recent earthquake and tsunami disasters centered in the South Pacific that have impacted family and friends connected with the San Jose State University football team, the Spartans are teaming with WorldVision International in a fund-raising effort for disaster victims at its October 10 football game against the University of Idaho.

WorldVision International (WorldVision), founded in 1950, is a worldwide humanitarian charity organization that serves close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries to tackle poverty and injustice regardless of ethnicity, gender, race or religion. More than 3-million donors, hundreds of major corporations and government agencies have trusted their contributions to WorldVision to serve the needy.

"San Jose State is one of the schools taking a leadership role this weekend to help the people of American Samoa, Western Samoa and its neighbor islands begin the road to recovery from their recent disasters. Our football staff is contributing to this cause with open hearts and we are encouraging everyone who comes to our game to contribute, too. Contributions of any amount will go to a very worthwhile cause and will be appreciated by those in need," says San Jose State's Dick Tomey, who has made numerous trips to American Samoa and Western Samoa in his 28-plus years as a football head coach.

Collections at the San Jose State-Idaho football game will occur at the two merchandise booths located on the east and west sides of the stadium. Those who donate will be entered into a prize drawing for an autographed San Jose State football.

Tomey has spoken with head coaches June Jones of Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Greg McMackin of the University of Hawaii and reports that both teams and the University of Washington will undertake similar fund-raising efforts at their home games against East Carolina, Fresno State and Arizona, respectively, on October 10. Donations collected at the SMU-East Carolina and Washington-Arizona games will be channeled through WorldVision while the Red Cross will process contributions from the Hawaii-Fresno State contest.

Juneau Douglas

Philip Fenumiai passed for 175 yards and 4 TDs, while running back Matthew Maka rushed for 137 yards and two touchdown runs of 43 and 63 yards in a 42-0 win over East Valley (WA).

Game Plan Football Academy to track participants

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

LA'IE — In the idyllic setting of Ko'olauloa, the Game Plan Football Academy quietly and effectively wrapped up its sixth annual camp yesterday at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i.
And in a new feature, the college preparation program will continue over the next eight months for the dozens of seniors who attended.

Asai Gilman, executive director of the "Education 1st" non-profit organization that administers the Game Plan Academy, said he and his staff wanted to find ways to make the camp's lessons extend beyond just the past four days.

"We saw that in order for it to really have an effect, we have to follow through," Gilman said. "Sometimes, they don't retain the information in their memory after the camp ends."

To make sure the lessons are retained, the Academy plans to "huddle" with the seniors through monthly "Chalk Talks" until March. Communication will be done through e-mail, and workshops and presentations will be offered covering topics such as creating video profiles and SAT/ACT preparation.

"These are the next steps for seniors," Gilman said. "We'll have academic advisers available, college presenters. We're excited, we're looking forward to it."

The camp participants and even their parents soaked in a lot of information since Monday, when the program began at Radford High School.

After an opening address by BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall, parents broke off into three 35-minute sessions offering four workshop topics to choose from in each session. Topics included "Division I: Reality Check and Athletic Scholarship Opportunities," "NCAA Eligibility: What to Know, What to Do," "Academic Standards: GPA, Rigor, SAT Scores — What to Know for Each Division," and "Prepare and Prevent: Common Pitfalls of the College Athlete."

The workshops were led by such presenters as Oregon State defensive coordinator Mark Banker, New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker and Hawai'i associate head coach George Lumpkin, and were conducted in a Q&A format.

"I learned a lot, and my wife enjoyed it immensely, even though she's not a football fan at all," said Derek McMoore, whose son will begin his freshman year at Kapolei this month. "They made a lot of good points."

The camp continued at BYUH Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday with players participating in classroom sessions and field practices.

"I think I improved a lot of my skills as a linebacker," said Farrington junior Justin Vele. "I learned a lot on and off the field, especially how important grades really are. It makes me more prepared."

Camp Awards — Offense: Darin Kamealoha, Pac-Five (skills); Christopher Thee, Kahuku (line); Defense: Charles Tua'au, Leilehua (line); Tevita Malafu, Baldwin (skills).

Hawaii All-Poly Camp Hot 11

HONOLULU – Around 300 of the top Polynesian prospects from the islands of Hawaii, some from the mainland and even some visitors from American Samoa were gathered to compete in the inaugural Hawaii All-Poly Camp in Honolulu this week. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barton Simmons took in all the action at the camp and takes a closer look the Hot 11 performers from the three-day event.

Top performers listed below in alphabetical order.

Hawaii All-Poly Camp Hot 11

ATH Shaydon Akuna

6-3/210, Kapolei (Hawaii) High
As far as upside and ceiling, Akuna was the most talented senior prospect in Honolulu. He is a tall, lengthy linebacker that flies around the football field. Akuna truly plays the game sideline to sideline and is very natural in pass coverage. In fact, he's versatile enough that he will be playing safety as a senior in high school – among several other positions. As Akuna adds weight in college and learns to play with a good pad level he has a chance to be an absolute star on the next level.

OT Paulay Asiata

6-5/285, Honolulu (Hawaii) Word Of Life Academy (Class of 2011)
The sky is the limit for Asiata. He has only been playing football for two years and he already showed that he is very coachable and eager to learn. He is only a rising junior, and in only a couple of days of teaching, he already was making great strides in his development. That is scary considering the level of dominance that Asiata was playing with. Asiata has great size, very good feet and he loves the physical battles in the trenches. If he continues to develop, Asiata could be a rare nationally recruited Hawaiian next year.

LB V.J. Fehoko

5-11/215, Kahuku (Hawaii) High
You know what you are getting with Fehoko. The true inside linebacker plays with a high intensity level, is a sure tackler, takes great angles, pursues with speed and aggressiveness and has a very physical mindset. At times Fehoko is too eager to get downhill and his height leaves something to be desired but you never have to worry about effort level and presence with Fehoko. His passion for the game alone is going to ensure that he continues to find success on the next level.

DE Calen Friel

6-3/240, Kailua (Hawaii) High
It is not surprising that Friel holds an offer from the University of Hawaii after camping there recently. In fact, if Friel were able to camp at multiple colleges on the mainland, there's little doubt that he would have multiple offers at this point. Not only does Friel have a great first step but he has a motor that won't quit and unlike many of the Hawaii prospects, size is not an issue. At 6-3, 240 pounds, Friel's size will not scare anybody off. In fact, teamed with his athleticism, Friel's size is a major asset turning the corner as a weakside defensive end.

DT Sani Fuimaono

6-2/255, Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou
Fuimaono has scholarship offers from Arizona, Washington and Hawaii so he is not exactly an unknown to college coaches but he proved over the three days of camp that he is certainly deserving of a Pac-10 offer list. Despite somewhat limited size (6-2/255), Fuimaono is very tough to block. The state heavyweight wrestling champion makes great use of his hands, uses his leverage well and is very physical. His constant presence in the backfield was impossible to miss, even when he wasn't actually making the tackles.

LB Tuu Lolohea

6-2/225, Kapolei (Hawaii) High
Lolohea was part of a linebacking corps that was deep and talented. A squatty, downhill player, Lolohea is a physical run-stuffer. He is a fullback's nightmare with his physicality at the point of attack and he moves well laterally for a physical inside player. Already with an offer from Hawaii, Lolohea impressed Oregon State at a recent camp and could be in for his first Pac-10 offer by the end of the summer. This week he showed that he certainly has the size, mentality and strength to compete at that level.

OG Jamal Napeahi

6-1/270, Kahuku (Hawaii) High (Class of 2011)
At only 6-1, Napeahi doesn't have the upside of a bigger lineman like Asiata but right now, Napeahi is the best offensive lineman that competed at the camp. Only a rising junior, Napeahi is a definite BCS player at offensive guard or offensive center. His skill set offers the complete package. He has a powerful base, great feet, strong in the upper body and he loves finishing his blocks. With three more inches on him, Napeahi could have been identified as the top prospect in the camp regardless of class.

DT Graham Rowley

6-4/265, Waialua (Hawaii) High
Rowley, a BYU commitment, was impressive both in his size and his athleticism. He lines up at defensive end at 270 pounds and was a tough task for the offensive tackles to handle. However, Rowley is very capable of moving inside to defensive tackle. On the next level, as Rowley gets comfortable with the inside, his athleticism provides loads of potential on the defensive line.

DT Handsome Tanielu

6-2/270, Waianae (Hawaii) High
Similar to many of the talented defensive players in attendance in Honolulu, Tanielu has less than ideal height for a defensive tackle. He is only around 6-1 but he is much heavier and thicker than he looks due to his thick lower body. In one-on-ones there may not have been another defensive lineman that was more consistently dominating. His array of pass-rush moves made him virtually unblockable but when it was time to scrimmage he showed that he has more than enough ability to move the line of scrimmage and occupy blockers as well. Though he is offerless right now, Tanielu is one that certainly warrants several major offers.

TE Richard Villasenor

6-0/235, Honolulu (Hawaii) Moanalua (Class of 2011)
An intriguing rising junior, Villasenor was the most dangerous offensive matchup of the week. He lined up at tight end and did loads of damage working the middle of the field and seem routes. He showed very sure hands, versatility and body control, making catches while taking hits and contorting his body to adjust to a variety of passes. In college Villasenor likely plays a tight end/H-Back hybrid position and will be a definite name to watch. After missing almost all of his sophomore season with an injury, expect to hear big things out of Villasenor over the next two years.

DE Beau Yap

6-1/215, Honolulu (Hawaii) Kamehameha School
In a way, Yap was too good. From the perspective of nearly all of the skill players, the camp would have been much more productive if he wasn't around. With Yap lining up at defensive end, any opposing quarterback struggled to get productive reps and in turn, few receivers and defensive backs got much action either. That was how disruptive Yap was off of the edge. His speed and relentlessness on the pass rush was extremely effective and the high-energy prospect made a major statement once the pads were donned.

All out in Hawaii

AMP: All out in Hawaii @ Rivals Video

Exposure priceless for many

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Even at 6 feet 5 and 230 pounds, Kapa'a High School senior Sean Shigematsu could have easily gone unnoticed by college football recruiters.

Playing on a 1-6-1 team in a three-team league on the state's fourth-most populated island, Shigematsu might have been at risk of falling through the cracks as big-name programs cherry-picked prospects from higher-profile schools.

But after emerging as one of the top offensive tackles during this week's nationally renowned All Poly Camp at Kapi'olani Park, Shigematsu is a stranger to no one.

"A guy like that probably would have had to wait until his (game) film came out (in the fall) for anyone to see him," said camp founder/organizer Alema Te'o. "But after this, I'm sure he'll walk out of here with his name on at least six or seven recruiting boards."

That is why Shigematsu and about a dozen of his Kapa'a teammates, plus many other Neighbor Island players, made the hop over to O'ahu for the All Poly Camp, which was held in Hawai'i for the first time after eight highly successful years in Utah.

While top recruits like Kahuku linebacker VJ Fehoko and Leilehua quarterback Andrew Manley are household names and have already received strong NCAA Division I interest after two years of prime time media exposure, kids from smaller programs — especially from the Neighbor Islands — viewed the All Poly Camp as a rare opportunity to share the spotlight.

Kealakehe and Konawaena each was represented by about five players, and kids from Kaua'i High, Waiakea and Kamehameha's Hawai'i and Maui campuses also made their presence known.

"It's wide open, and we wanted to see what the competition from the other islands is like," said Shigematsu, who like most of his Kapa'a teammates was attending an O'ahu camp for the first time. "I'm thankful I got to see what I could do against guys from other teams. We brought offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers ... I thought we did pretty good."

Shigematsu said the college coaches at the camp taught him to "be explosive, to get after it," and also stressed the importance of academics.

He said he has received some early interest from the University of Hawai'i, Portland State, Wyoming and Utah State.

"I just want to get a scholarship, anywhere, to be honest," Shigematsu said. "I just want to get a free education."

Kapa'a offensive line coach Dean Petro, who accompanied the group to Honolulu, said if Shigematsu receives the kind of scholarship offers he expects, others could follow for his younger teammates.

"This is a great group — after our spring game, we gave them three weeks off to rest, but the next week they asked me if I could come back and coach them during the break," Petro said. "Hopefully this (All Poly Camp) gave them some exposure, because I think all of them have a chance to play in college. If (Shigematsu) gets that one shot, that one break, then it might open the door for the rest of them."

Continue at HA

All Poly All-Stars
Respective position coaches awarded their top players at the camp's conclusion:

QUARTERBACKS: Andrew Manley, Leilehua; Noah Pascua, Kapolei. RUNNING BACKS: Jarrin Inagaki, Kaiser; Keaka Fernandez, Kapolei; Chris Reed, Honoka'a. RECEIVERS: Samson Anguay, Campbell; Corey Lau, Kailua; Elijah Tagura, Kapolei. OFFENSIVE TACKLES: Paulay Asiata, Word of Life; Jamal Napeahi, Kahuku; Sean Shigematsu, Kapa'a. GUARDs: Paul Belford, Kapolei; Keli'i Kekuewa, Kamehameha-Hawai'i; Alex Paiva, Kapolei. CENTER: Jase To'omalatai, Kahuku. TIGHT END: Richard Villasenor, Moanalua. DEFENSIVE TACKLEs: Lawrence Lagafuaina, 'Aiea; Handsome Tanielu, Wai'anae; Beau Yap, Kamehameha. DEFENSIVE ENDs: Sani Fuimaono, Punahou; Graham Rowley, Waialua; Isaac Seumalo, Corvallis (Ore.). LINEBACKERs: Shaydon Akuna, Kapolei; VJ Fehoko, Kahuku; Valentine Kanehailua, Pac-Five; Tu'u Lolohea, Kapolei; Andrew Morgan, Damien; Samson Toalei, Liberty (Las Vegas). CORNERBACKS: Ikaika Kamaka, Radford; Chris Santiago, Saint Louis. SAFETIES: Taz Stevenson, Mililani; Marcus Umu, Saint Louis.

Fehoko sees the value in All-Poly Camp

By Billy Hull

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 02, 2009

While most players viewed this week's All-Poly Camp as a chance to gain some valuable exposure, V.J. Fehoko had his own way of looking at things.

"Full pads, man, you get to hit people," he said. "You know us Polynesian kids, we get after it. That was fun."

The camp concluded with a full-pads scrimmage yesterday at Kapiolani Park. After all the teams were done playing, camp coaches selected an all-star group for one last 11-on-11 competition.

Fehoko, who has transferred from Farrington to Kahuku for his senior season, is one of the few guys who hasn't had to worry about getting his name out to college coaches.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker says he has already been offered scholarships by 16 schools, including California, Colorado, UCLA and Texas Tech -- where his brother Sam plays -- and plans on narrowing his choices just before the season starts.

But after watching his brothers go through the recruiting process, Fehoko knows he's one of the lucky ones. Getting a chance to host this All-Poly Camp in Hawaii is a big deal for anybody looking to play at the next level.

"We're so far away from the United States, we don't get a fair look I think," Fehoko said. "Things like this puts Hawaii on the map. My brothers got to play college football because of these kinds of camps, and I hope they can continue to have them here."

Manley working for offers

Reigning Star-Bulletin state player of the year Andrew Manley has been to summer camps up and down the West Coast.

From Seattle to Los Angeles, Manley has shown his stuff to a variety of schools and has been in contact with many Pac-10 coaches.

But so far, his only offer has come from Hawaii. He attended summer camps at Washington and UCLA, but both schools have already secured a 2010 commitment from a quarterback.

"I still only have one offer, so I'm just trying to get myself out there as much as I can," Manley said. "Hopefully I have a pretty good season and some schools start offering."

Taz bounces back

With a position change looming, spring wasn't the time for Mililani's Taz Stevenson to be slowed by injury.

Unfortunately, that was exactly the case, as Stevenson sat out much of the spring and early summer with hamstring problems.

Back on the field for the first time this week, the 6-foot-2 190-pounder ended the camp by breaking up a Manley pass on the final play of the day.

"Actually I was trying to go for the catch, but I've been rusty," Stevenson said.

Stevenson spent most of his junior year on offense, but as a senior will transition to defense, where he's getting the most looks by college coaches.

Stevenson says he has received six offers, including Hawaii, Washington and Washington State.

Now introducing ...

One name that has risen out of the shadows this week is Moanalua tight end Richard Villasenor.

The 6-1 230-pounder sat out last year as a sophomore after breaking his foot, but was impressive enough to be selected the camp's lone all-star at his position. During the scrimmage, he caught two passes over the middle from Manley, and showed decisive speed and agility.

"This is what my coaches are expecting me to do this season, so I need to show them this is how I can play," he said.

Pads pop at Hawaii All-Poly Camp

HONOLULU – Day two at the inaugural All-Poly camp in Hawaii saw the action intensify as players performed in full pads for the first time. With the arrival of full-contact activities several players emerged and saw their stock climb rapidly.

As was the case on Monday, Tuesday followed the trend of dominating defensive play. Players continue to perform well and give added depth to an already talented defensive unit. Where the players seem to be most steadily emerging is on the defensive line and at linebacker.

One of the most dominating players at the camp has been defensive end Calen Friel. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder has used a great first step off of the snap, good instincts and rare athleticism for a player with good size to be virtually unblockable. Friel came to camp with an offer from Hawaii that he earned after a similarly dominating camp performance.

Handsome Tanielu out of Waianae High School is still waiting on his first offer but has been similarly dominating at the All-Poly camp. Tanielu plays on the interior of the defensive line. Like many of the Hawaiian prospects, Tanielu is probably two inches away from having offers from around the Pac-10. He is still close to 6-2 and 270 pounds and incredibly productive. Tanielu has some of the most active hands and feet of all of the defensive linemen in attendance and is certainly a Division I prospect regardless of his size.

Continue at Rivals

All-Poly Camp Day 2

AMP: All-Poly Camp Day 2 @ Rivals Video

Manley, Fehoko shine early

By Tom Luginbill
Scouts Inc.
Archive

HONOLULU, Hawaii --After its first two days, the inaugural All-Poly football camp in Hawaii appears to be living up to its billing of becoming a productive camp on the island each year. With its impressive showing of more than 200 players, the camp has provided a stage for prospective student-athletes to showcase their athletic prowess while learning about college life away from the field.

What makes the All-Poly camp unique is its focus on academics, standardized and entrance tests, core curriculum requirements and other topics needed to prepare and qualify student-athletes for college. On Monday, before any on-field workouts, each participant and some family members took part in a four-hour workshop outlining the aforementioned areas of off-field importance.

The focus of the All-Poly camp is not only football, but also informing these young men about the importance of what is necessary off the field to continue their college careers.

"This is an opportunity to educate kids of Polynesian descent on what it takes to become a prospective college football player not only on the field but off," said UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow, a former Hawaii resident who attended high school on the island of Oahu.

Chow was one of 20 Division I and II coaches on hand to instruct, mentor and in many cases give back to their roots. Staff members from Colorado, Oregon State, Utah, UNLV, Boise State, Washington, UCLA, Texas Tech, Louisville and BYU, among others, were in attendance to organize, coach and educate an impressive group of collective talent.

The on-field workouts mirrored classroom education with regard to laying the foundation of the basic principles of the game. Prospects took part in individual drills and group work and eventually were divided into teams that would compete and practice against each other throughout the first two days. Before the workout Monday, athletes were led through dynamic stretching and warm-up routines. The speed training was led by Tom Shaw, a highly regarded strength and conditioning coach with an NFL pedigree.

Shaw was not the only representative on hand with NFL ties. Newly appointed New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine lectured on the importance of playing the game fast, physically and with a lot of energy. Pettine talked about his coaching days with the Baltimore Ravens and the motors and chase speed encompassed by that defense led by All-Pro defenders like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

Pettine made a reference to his prior defense by saying the Ravens' motto was "Play like your hair is on fire." The players at this camp have certainly kept that type of intensity going.

The coaches and instructors were teaching the concept of "thud" (making contact but staying off the ground) the first two days, but with players like these, there's only one speed: 93 octane.

As we scouted the various position groups, the linebacker unit appeared to have the best depth and overall talent thus far. It was led by V.J. Fehoko (Kahuku, Hawaii), a 2010 Under Armour All-America Game selection. After an impressive showing at the All-Poly football camp in Utah last month, Fehoko continued to show why he's considered the top prospect on the island this year. While he's not the biggest or fastest on paper, he simply found the football quickly during nine-on-seven drills, showing reactive athleticism as well as great physicality and strength filling at the point of attack.

Not to be overshadowed on the offensive side, quarterback Andrew Manley (Wahiawa, Hawaii/Leilehua) physically warrants far more recruiting interest than he has received to date. Given his impressive measurables, arm strength, quick release and velocity, it's staggering that this young man only has one offer so far, from WAC member Hawaii. At this stage, Manley is clearly worthy of lower-tier BCS conference offers and multiple non-BCS offers. Manley is not of Polynesian descent but is a Hawaii resident who, based on physical tools alone, is flying under the radar.

Football camp offers high exposure

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

The nationally renowned "All-Poly" high school football camp made its Hawai'i debut yesterday, in the shadow of Diamond Head and a couple long kickoffs away from Waikiki Beach.

And with it came coaches from over 20 NCAA Division I programs, representatives from three major recruiting Web sites and the promise of unprecedented exposure for about 300 local football prospects.

"This is the biggest thing we've had here," said former Kealakehe High School coach Sam Papali'i, who also had stints as an assistant at the University of Hawai'i, Utah, Nevada-Las Vegas and Iowa State. "There hasn't been anything better for the prospects of this state."

The three-day camp at Kapi'olani Park features such notable instructors as UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow, Colorado assistant head coach Brian Cabral and Brigham Young defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi, along with several others with strong Hawai'i ties, like Oregon State defensive line coach and Radford High graduate Joe Seumalo, Utah State defensive line coach Chad Kaha'aha'a (Baldwin) and Central Arkansas defensive backs coach Corey Batoon (Saint Louis).

Hawai'i associate coach Rich Miano and director of football player personnel Tony Tuioti also are serving as instructors.

Since its humble origin in Utah eight years ago, the All-Poly Camp has grown into a nationally recognized hotbed that has attracted dozens of top DI prospects and coaches. Past Hawai'i standouts like Punahou's Manti Te'o and Kahuku's Spencer Hafoka and Paipai Falemalu participated in the All-Poly Camp in Bountiful, Utah, but camp founder and organizer Alema Te'o decided to bring the camp to Hawai'i to make it more accessible to local players.

(The camp is rooted in the aim to help high school athletes of Polynesian ancestry, but is now open to students of any ethnic background.)

Continue at HA

Top Prospects Compete at Hawaii Camp

HONOLULU – It was a unique and rare scene on Monday afternoon in Honolulu, Hawaii. Around 300 of the top Polynesian prospects from the islands of Hawaii, some from the mainland and even some visitors from American Samoa were gathered to compete in the inaugural Hawaii All-Poly Camp.

The roster of players alone was enough to set the stage for a phenomenal three days of work at the camp but the roster of coaches on hand to work with the prospects only raised the bar.

Among the colleges represented at the camp were UCLA, Washington, Oregon State, BYU, Louisville, Arkansas State, Utah, Utah State, Boise State, Texas Tech and a host of other programs. UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow, Hawaii head coach Greg McMackin and New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine were a few of the notable coaches that made the trip to evaluate and coach up the talented but under-exposed prospects in Hawaii.

While the first day of work, consisted of a heavy dose of installation, technique work and teach periods, the talent that the coaches came to work with did not disappoint, particularly the linebacker group. Linebackers of Polynesian descent such as Lofa Tatupu, Rey Maualuga and most recently Manti Te'o have been making a name for themselves on the national stage of late and the class of 2010 in Hawaii looks to be poised to continue that trend.

Continue at Rivals

Afeaki shows off playmaking ability

By JC Shurburtt
Scouts Inc.
Archive

BOUNTIFUL, Utah -- The final session of the 2009 All-Poly Football Camp at Bountiful High featured live, full-contact scrimmaging and there were several prospects that stood out.

Perhaps none more so on offense than local running back/receiver Tana Afeaki (Salt Lake City, Utah/West), who had a total of four touchdowns and showed outstanding quickness, acceleration and speed with the ball in his hands. He's a slot back-type of player who should be able to help a college team in a variety of ways (out of the backfield, in the slot, in the return game, etc.). Afeaki is not the biggest player on the field, but certainly proved on Saturday he can be downright electric with the ball in his hands.

"I felt I did really well today," Afeaki said with a smile on his face. "I showed what I could do."

Fans around Salt Lake City know all about him. He rushed for more than 1,500 yards for his high school team last season.

Afeaki was one of three running backs honored as a camp all-star by the All-Poly coaching staff, which included multiple college coaches from all divisions. Class of 2010 scat back Silver Vaifanua (Long Beach, Calif./Milliken) and Class of 2011 running back Jeremiah Laufasa (Kirkland, Wash./Juanita) also took home honors.

Continue ESPN.com

Fehoko follows his siblings' lead

By JC Shurburtt
Scouts Inc.
Archive

BOUNTIFUL, Utah -- Under Armour All-American linebacker V.J. Fehoko (Kahuku, Hawaii/Kahuku) was already familiar with the recruiting process before it even began for him.

Fehoko's older brother, Sam, signed with Texas Tech in the Class of 2007. Another brother, Whitley, signed with San Diego State in the Class of 2006.

"When you see the process unfold as a spectator, it's exciting," V.J. Fehoko said. "But when it happens to you, it's sort of a reality check."

Hawaii, Nebraska, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Utah, Texas Tech, Washington, California, UCLA, Colorado and other schools in the Mountain West and WAC have offered Fehoko a scholarship. Southern California is seriously evaluating the hard-hitting linebacker, as well.

"I have no favorites," he said. "I am giving every school a chance to recruit me."

Fehoko was in Lubbock, Texas, during the spring to watch his brother's spring game and he got an up-close look at the Red Raiders. This caused some speculation that he too would be casting his lot with Mike Leach's program.

"The only reason I was there was to see my brother's spring game," he said. "If he had not been playing for Texas Tech, chances are I would not have been at Texas Tech visiting for that long."

Still, that certainly doesn't mean the Red Raiders aren't under heavy consideration. One of the things that Fehoko is looking at is atmosphere. He says he wants to go to a place where on gameday, the "town stands still" and says that the atmosphere in Lubbock is like that.

"When they beat Texas this past year, they rushed the field like three times," he said.

Most of the Hawaiian prospects that talked recruiting at All-Poly expressed a strong desire to head to the mainland to play college football. V.J. has a lot of teams from the mainland in the mix for his services, but has not ruled out the University of Hawaii, where his father Vili is the unofficial mascot for Warriors football games.

"I am going to give Hawaii a chance," V.J. Fehoko said. "I like Hawaii. Growing up with my dad there, I was always watching the games from the sidelines and I still feel that is home to me when I watch."

Fehoko talked about the things he would be looking for in a program.

"The crucial factor for me is my position coach," he said. "That's key because I will be building a relationship with him and he will be the one developing me for the next 4-5 years. I also would like to have a good relationship with the head coach for that same reason. I want to be in a good environment, too. Not some place where I can get in trouble and I can just focus on football and academics."

Continue at ESPN.com

Bountiful Poly camp grows in prestige

Bountiful » Organized chaos broke out at Bountiful High School's football and baseball fields late Thursday afternoon. Young football players hustled through an assortment of drills. Balls flew through the air. Parents and other onlookers eagerly watched from the stands.

Coaches relentlessly barked out orders.

"Bend those knees!"

"Shuffle those feet!"

"Let's go, let's go!"

The All-Poly Camp was in full swing.

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All-Poly Camp more than just football

By JC Shurburtt
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It's been nearly a decade in operation for Alema Te'o and the All-Poly Camp, and the event has become one of the premier annual showcases of talent and athlete enrichment experiences in the country.

The full-contact, football camp features instruction from top college coaches, and gets started this year on June 18 at Bountiful High School near Salt Lake City. It started primarily as a lineman camp, and featured prospects of Polynesian ethnicity (it's never been limited to that, though) but now includes all positions and a variety of nationalities.

The camp also features mandatory sessions that put emphasis on academics and life skills.

"The most key component of our camp is to take kids and show them that football is a brighter path to provide a better life," Te'o, the camp director, said. "We are a one-stop shop. Three days in June you get the chance to show what you can do for college coaches, and you also get the academics and life-coaching that you need."

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UNLV football assistant Uperesa undergoing treatment for cancer

UNLV interior offensive line coach Keith Uperesa underwent surgery for thyroid cancer last month, but there is hope the disease was discovered early enough.

"The prognosis is good, but you never know with something like that," coach Mike Sanford said Wednesday. "The effect on his future and his status is unknown at this time, because he has more treatment coming up. We are understanding of his situation, and we're going to encourage him to do what he needs to do from a treatment standpoint."

Sanford said he expected Uperesa to be able to resume his duties for the season.

"I think there are going to be times he will be gone and do his treatments," Sanford said.

An attempt to reach Uperesa, who turns 54 next month, was unsuccessful.

Sanford said Uperesa's cancer diagnosis was made recently, and he underwent surgery in May at UCLA to remove cancerous nodules and lymph nodes.

His treatments will take place in Salt Lake City.

According to WebMD.com, thyroid cancer is not common but is highly treatable and often caught early.

A benefit golf tournament is planned for Wednesday in American Fork, Utah, by the Polynesian Coaches Association.

Uperesa was an All-Western Athletic Conference offensive lineman at Brigham Young from 1974 to 1977. He graduated from BYU in 1984 and received a master's degree there in 1986.

He has been at UNLV since 2005, following Sanford from Utah.

Isle football prospects bigger, faster, stronger

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

There was a time not long ago when many Hawai'i college football prospects were content to "talk with their pads," leaving the gaudy stats (40-yard dash time, bench press, vertical jump, etc.) to Mainland players who often posted better numbers.

But times have changed, and with college recruiting as competitive and sophisticated as ever, the local talent has learned how to market themselves in every possible way.

That is why 277 of them showed up to the Eighth Annual Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance Football Combine yesterday at Saint Louis School. Each player was measured for height and weight, timed in the 40, recorded repetitions in the 185-pound and 225-pound bench press, vertical and broad jumps.

They also had times recorded in so-called "L" and "T" quickness and agility drills, and some were filmed in one-on-one line drills.

All of the players' data were recorded and logged onto a spread sheet, which was posted on the internet last night for hundreds of college coaches to peruse.

"A lot of kids will be put on the map after today," said Mililani High School coach Darnell Arceneaux, who directed the combine along with former University of Hawai'i standout Eddie Klaneski. "The linemen are always our heart and soul, but today we also had a lot of skill guys show up. This was one of the best years we've had."

VJ Fehoko, a 2008 Advertiser All-State defensive lineman from Farrington who will transfer to Kahuku this summer, did an eye-popping 37 reps while bench-pressing 225 pounds. Fehoko is listed at 6 feet, 211 pounds.

By comparison, former Hawai'i Prep standout Max Unger, a 6-foot-4, 309-pound All-Pac-10 center for Oregon, did 22 reps of 225 at the NFL combine in February and ended up as the 49th overall pick in the April draft, going to the Seattle Seahawks in the second round.

Another stunning stat was Kailua receiver Corey Lau's 40-yard dash time of 4.44 seconds. Lau (5-8 1/2, 140) will be a senior next season.

"In the old days, Hawai'i kids weren't exposed to this kind of thing, but now they are able to test well," said Arceneaux, who played quarterback at Utah after a standout career at Saint Louis. "That's the best part. The kids came out and did well. And even kids from the small schools were able to showcase their talent."

Waialua had 14 players at the combine.

"Being from a smaller school, we have to work a little harder," said Waialua slotback Travis Deuz. "This helps us be more noticeable to the colleges and the scouts."

Waialua defensive end Graham Rowley (6-3, 269) ran the 40 in 4.82 seconds, did 19 reps of 225 and had a 32-inch vertical leap. He has already made a verbal commitment to play for Brigham Young.

Waialua offensive lineman Micah Hatchie (6-4 1/2, 291) did 19 reps of 225. Bulldogs coach Lincoln Barit said Hatchie is receiving offers from Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Washington State, Arizona, Stanford and Louisville, among others.

Sullivan hustles to help athletes get scholarships

By Dave Reardon

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 31, 2009

Doris Sullivan admits it began with her own kid and a few of his friends.

He and many of his Damien teammates were deserving of college athletic scholarships. But for every Manti Te'o who has Charlie Weis stalking him, 10,000 Billy Sullivans exist who must chase down the dream.

Thanks in large part to Doris' hustle as well as his own, Billy played football and lacrosse at the Air Force Academy and is now a fighter pilot. She also helped one of his pals, volleyball player David Woodward, get into St. Francis (Pa.). Now he's a doctor.

That could've been it. But, no -- we're talking about Doris Sullivan. It's still about her kids, but the family is bigger now, just by a thousand or so. "Aunty Doris" founded the Pacific Island Athletic Alliance, a grandiose name for a non-profit that doesn't make a dime for Sullivan but helps save thousands of dollars for families of Hawaii athletes.

Even in the Internet Age, potential scholarship recipients from here often went unnoticed. But events like PIAA's eighth annual football combine at Saint Louis yesterday have changed that. PIAA has facilitated college placement for around 900 athletes.

Sullivan uses marketing and public relations skills and contacts she began to develop as an employee of Washington's NBA team back when it was the Bullets.

"I figured if I can market prima donna pro basketball players I can help some deserving kids get scholarships," she said.

But it's much more than a match.com for jocks and coaches. In addition to documenting everything about prospects from GPAs to 40 times, PIAA educates students and families about the tricky process of choosing and getting into a college.

Private companies charge thousands for such services, but Sullivan does it at cost. The only way the former bank manager can balance the books is through donations and volunteers.

Coaches like Darnell Arceneaux and Eddie Klaneski and a wave of high-profile players of recent vintage like Brad Kalilimoku and Timmy Chang volunteer. Grateful parents of PIAA "clients" also sweat it out, registering participants and performing other tasks.

"Even kids who graduated this year came back to help, guys like Dalton Hilliard and Chauncey Makainai, Corey Nielsen," Sullivan said. "They called us and said they wanted to help. They're paying it forward to the next kids."

Her husband, Bill, is retired from the NCIS (yes, that of the Mark Harmon TV show) and is a freelance investigator. He contributes to Doris' 50-60 hours a week of volunteer work.

Some University of Hawaii football fans think this venture's success hurts the home team.

"I get that all the time," Sullivan said. "But ask the coaches, UH gets the dibs, gets the information first. Sometimes kids want to go away. If they want to go to UH, they'll go to UH. I don't get the kids scholarships, they get it themselves."

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and other sponsors help, but donations are hard to come by.

"If we were helping 100 ballerinas or 100 violin players, we'd probably get enormous amounts of grants," Sullivan said. "But because they're athletes, people assume they're getting full scholarships to go to college. That's not the case 90 percent of the time."