Starting C Brett Leonard will miss the first 3 games, Meatoga, Salas, and Paredes elected team captains

HSA Note: "Brett Leonard, who was projected to start at center, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and miss the University of Hawaii's first three football games. Bronson Tiwanak, a senior walk-on from Damien Memorial School, will start in Thursday's season opener against Southern California."


HSA Note: "The Warriors have lost two centers to injuries in the past three months. In the final quarter of the Warrior Bowl, a scrimmage marking the end of spring training, junior Matagisila Lefiti suffered an injury to his right foot."


About why they were going to select Brett Leonard as their starting center instead of Bronson Tiwanak, Gordy Shaw said:
"Brett is larger (than Tiwanak) and is able to handle some of the opponents we're going to be seeing early in the season. That's why it was always a tight race." (HSA)


About how Tiwanak was Bryant Moniz's center when they both played at Fresno City College in 2007, Mack said:
"That's a positive thing." (HSA)


About being voted to be one of their captains, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"The last election I won was for May Day in the third grade. I was picked to represent Molokai, I think." (HSA)


HSA Note: "In voting by the players, Meatoga, slotback Greg Salas and linebacker Corey Paredes were selected as captains for the 2010 season. Salas is a senior, and Meatoga and Paredes are juniors. McMackin said 20 players received votes, and some of them will serve as the fourth captain during games this season."


About why Meatoga was a good selection to be one of their captains, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"Vaughn is a hard worker. He never complains. He leads by example. He's the first one out here and the last to leave. He's always working hard, and pushing others." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Salas has served a leadership role since the end of the 2009 season. He was one of the organizers of the Warriors' unsupervised workouts this summer."


About going from a walk-on to being one of their captains, Corey Paredes said:
"I'm living proof the walk-on program at UH is the best. If you want to play for UH, come out. The coaches will give you a chance." (HSA)


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