Three former Hawaii high school football standouts from Pearl City stepped onto the University of Hawaii practice field on Thursday to begin their careers as Warriors.
Two former Pearl City High School Chargers, Offensive Lineman, David Lefotu PCHS '2010 and Wide Receiver, Skye Kaapuni PCHS '2009 joined Defensive End, Beau Yap, 2010 Kamehameha, Kapalama as Warrior teammates.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
#77 David Lefotu, #92 Beau Yap, #83 Skye Kaapuni pose for a photo after their first day of Fall training camp on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at the University of Hawaii football practice field.
MyPearlCity.com asked the trio from Pearl City the following questions after their first day of Fall training camp as Warriors:
How did it feel to step out onto the University of Hawaii football practice field for the first time as a Warrior?
David Lefotu: "It felt great, it felt good to come out here and compete with all the other guys, all the other veterans. I wasn't nervous at all. I was ready to get out here and put in work. I learned a lot today so it was pretty exciting to get out here for the first time."
Beau Yap: "It's just a whole different level. You have to go full speed hundred percent of the time."
Skye Kaapuni: "Exciting, the first day. I was out here the beginning of summer and now we get to finally touch the ball and work on football stuff."
Anyone you would like to thank for helping you reach the Division I level?
David Lefotu: "I would like to thank God and thank everybody back in Pearl City. All the coaches that helped me get here to this point right now. Coach McMackin for recruiting me and his whole coaching staff and especially my parents and my family."
Beau Yap: "My family and coaches from Kamehameha and my teammates who are helping me out."
Skye Kaapuni: "Family and friends, teammates, high school coaches and the coaches here for helping me get out here."
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
#77 David Lefotu (second from left) running through offensive line drills on Thursday.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
#92 Beau Yap going "one on one" during defensive line technique drills under the watchful eye of assistant head coach Cal Lee.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Warrior Wide Receiver #83 Skye Kaapuni hauling in a pass after completing his route on Thursday.
MyPearlCity.com also asked the new Warriors their thoughts on playing for Warriors head coach Greg McMackin?
David Lefotu: "Coach McMackin is a very sincere guy. He always looks out for us. He's a good sincere guy."
Beau Yap: "Coach and the coaching staff know a lot about football. They help me in every way possible to get better."
Skye Kaapuni: "He's a great guy. I think he's a good head coach. He's very outspoken, he speaks his mind."
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Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Warrior head coach Greg McMackin heading back to his office after Thursday's practice.
Both Lefotu and Yap have the opportunity to make a big impact from the very beginning as Warriors.
"The reason I like David so much is that he committed to us because he wanted to play for his family and the State of Hawaii. He had so many coaches come in trying to get him to change his commitment and he stayed with us all the time," said head coach McMackin.
"He's a loyal guy, he's big size guy, he's a great guy with a great family. There's a possibility that he's going to fit in this year. He's got excellent size and feet and we really like him."
"Beau Yap is in the same situation. He's a guy that we're playing at Defensive End that has a chance to play right away. Obviously he was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the State of Hawaii and in watching him out there he's got the quickness we like, he's got the size, he's got the attitude and he's smart. He is also from a great family and Beau Yap is a player," said coach McMackin.
The Warriors total 105 players in Fall camp with 27 practices left before their opener with USC at home on September 2nd. Starting this Saturday, August 7, the Warriors will go with full pads.
MyPearlCity.com would like to wish the Warriors a great season and good luck to our guys, David, Beau and Skye!
Also thanks to University of Hawaii Athletics, Director of Media Relations, Derek Inouchi for arranging interview time with the Warriors.
Warrior Fall Camp Practice Schedule:Thursday, Aug. 5 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. 3:30 – 5:05 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 8:30 – 10:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13 8:30 – 10:45 a.m. 3:30 – 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14 8:30 – 10:45 a.m. Monday, Aug. 16 8:30 – 10:45 a.m. 3:30 – 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17 8:30 – 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 8:30 – 10:50 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 8:30 – 10:45 a.m. 3:30 – 5:05 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 8:30 – 10:35 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23 Fall Semester begins Single Practice: 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Congratulations to our former Pearl City Chargers, David Lefotu and Skye Kaapuni!
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Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Congratulations to Beau Yap, standout member of the 2009 HHSAA Division I State Football Champion Kamehameha (Kapalama) Warriors. Good luck in your career as a UH Warrior!