Feature on Greg Salas

HSB Note: “Greg Salas searched frantically. It was the second half of Hawaii’s tight contest with Nevada in Reno last year, and Jason Rivers, the starter at “X” receiver (left wideout) got hurt and needed to come out of the game. Salas, Rivers’ backup, was in disbelief – he couldn’t find his helmet, when at last an opportunity had arisen. Hawaii was forced to call a timeout to get the harried second-year freshman in the game.”

About costing them a timeout during their 28-26 win at Nevada, Salas said:
“I got yelled at and everything. I was pretty bummed out, I thought it might have cost us the game.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “He swears to this day that one of the linemen must have knocked his helmet back onto the track around the Mackay Stadium field. Meanwhile, during the game, backup quarterback Inoke Funaki couldn’t stop laughing. He and Salas shared a bond as reserves as part of the “sideline crew,” as the QB put it, and the two also connected for their first career touchdowns on a 24-yarder against Northern Colorado earlier that year.”

About how he and Salas joke during games about how they would be going in, Inoke said:
“We would always fake-call like he was going to go in. It was like the boy who cried wolf.” (HSB)

About wanting to avoid the Nevada situation again, Salas said:
“Hopefully this year I won’t have to do that again.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Salas went home to Chino, Calif., over the summer and trained with his old Chino High School quarterback, AJ Gracia, focusing on improving his speed and strength.”

About the change in Salas’ work ethic, Ron Lee said:
“I think he was a little too laid-back (last year), which is kinda his personality. I think he’s beginning to understand what it’s all about as far as practice, preparation. As far as understanding, the route-running, he’s so far along. He’s gonna have a huge year – I really feel this will be a breakout year for him.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “The results have been laid bare for all to see during the Warriors’ first week of fall camp in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Salas handled a low grab in stride for a would-be touchdown on Friday, then managed extra efforts for two more possible scores Saturday.”

About how he’s still preparing as if he doesn’t have a starting spot locked up, Salas said:
“I’m still approaching it as everybody still has the same shot, which everybody does. I’m just trying to act like I’m second, still. I’m just trying to push myself. Definitely I knew I’d have an opportunity this year, and knew I’d have to work for it.” (HSB)

About how Salas’ personality helped him adjust to Hawaii, Inoke said:
“He has kind of a, I’d say, local-boy mentality. That’s how I kind of see him being. If I didn’t know he was from California I could easily mistake him for being one of the boys from around here.” (HSB)

Agreeing with what Inoke said:
“I’m just a fun guy who likes being friendly with everybody. “It doesn’t surprise me much (for him to say that).” (HSB)

About how the Nevada incident will not happen this year to Salas, Inoke said:
“This year he’ll have his helmet on his head, not under the bench.” (HSB)

Veni Manu commits to the Warriors!

About giving his commitment to the Warriors, Mililani DE Veni Manu said:
“I’m very happy to be a Warrior. I think coach (Greg McMackin) is a great coach, and I want to play for him.” (HA)

HA Note: “Manu is 6 feet 4 and 227 pounds. At this year’s Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance combine, Manu bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times. He has been rated as a 3-star prospect. His father, Tika Manu, was a defensive end at Utah who went on to play for the Miami Dolphins.”

About Veni, Mililani coach Darnell Arceneaux said:
“He’s a great kid. He’s always got a smile on his face. You love to coach a kid like him because he always wants to get better. He’s constantly asking questions. When his position coach speaks, his eyes and ears are on his coach. You can see he wants to become a good football player.” (HA)

About Ma’a Tanuvasa (former DL at UH and in the NFL who is his position coach), Veni said:
“He’s a really good coach. He helps me out a lot.” (HA)

About how Veni has a good motor, Arceneaux said:
“He’s got one of those drives. He loves to play the game, and play it as hard as he can. He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop. He doesn’t like coming out of the game. He loves to compete. He’s one of those guys who makes the guys around him better. When you make people around you better, you know you’re dealing with someone special. He’s a gifted athlete.” (HA)

About how Veni is one of a few Mililani players who should transition easily to D I-A football, Arceneaux said:
“He’s a man already. I’m blessed to have a couple of kids like that. They could be playing college football right now, at least competing with those type of student-athletes. (Manu has) the build and he’s learning the game. That’s the part you like to see. He doesn’t just use his size, he uses his techniques. He’s very fundamental. He’s only going to get better when he gets around the UH coaches. Coach McMackin has worked with former NFL stars like Warren Sapp and different guys like that. D-line coaches like (UH’s) Dave Aranda and Ikaika Malloe are only going to help further grow his process of being a complete lineman.” (HA)

About how Veni will be one of Mililani’s team captains this season, Arceneaux said:
“He’s not a guy of many words, but when he says something, everybody listens. He makes his point. He’s not an ‘I’ guy. He’s not flashy. He just wants to go out there and play football. He wants to do his job to the fullest, and make his defense a better defense by his play.” (HA)

About how he knew that he would choose UH after attending their camp last month, Veni said:
“UH is all I wanted. The biggest thing is I like Coach Mack as a coach and as a person. He’s super cool. And staying home was another big thing.” (HA)

HA Note: “UH already has received 2009 commitments from wideout Billy Ray Stutzmann of Saint Louis School, slotback Deondre Powell and quarterback Corey Nielsen of Gahr High School in California, defensive end Kimo Makaula of Punahou School, and linebacker T.J. Alofipo of Silverado High School in Las Vegas.”

Praising Veni, Arceneaux said:
“He’s a player you love to coach.” (HSB)

“He’s not very flashy in what he does, he doesn’t need all the glamour, he’s an old-school throwback. He just puts his pads on and goes out and plays football. He’s a very coachable kid, always looking to learn more about the game. He’s a leader by example, and when he speaks all the kids listen. He’s just a great kid and I’m glad things are working out for him.” (HSB)