Comments on: Blue Christmas

By: Stephen Tsai

Stephen Tsai — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:20:23 +0000

New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40729

By: A-House

A-House — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:17:39 +0000

Wayne Apuna was the only Hawaii HS football player to be listed as nation’s #1 at linebacker

believe Ulu Perry was #1 as a center and guard his senior year by different rating systems.

By: A-House

A-House — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:13:24 +0000

SteveM:

UMass trip up in the air right now as UMass has asked to move the date from 10/7

rumor has it moving into September and travel agencies want to solidify air and hotel, but must wait until a decision is made.

Panda Travel has already canceled all their hotel and air reservations

itinerary will be the major factor in selecting travel agency.

By: boolakanaka

boolakanaka — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:10:03 +0000

Steve M–If I recall correctly Wayne left his sophomore year, but then came back, which would have been his junior year. I think he had to make-up like 20-25 credits in the summer to be eligible for that fall, and well, by then they had a new coaching regime, that had basically given up on him as well….despite all that, he still remains one of the greatest HS football players in the state’s history.

By: A-House

A-House — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:06:43 +0000

UH played many very good teams the last game of each season during the 70s

USC with Charles White – Nebraska – Oklahoma – and many were close to the very end — remember the Selmon brothers? many opposing coaches left his 1st string in well into the 4th quarter.

yep, UH defense back then were just hard nose — no big names; just tough, hard hitting players who constantly ran to the ball carrier

By: boolakanaka

boolakanaka — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:05:59 +0000

Turf and H-man, I think like any person from a certain period, you feel that your era was the best–that said, that was certainly the golden era of football, both from a prep and college level, for Hawai’i. A rare combination of upper level talent and fan participation. Prep bowls near 30K, every Saturday night was a plus 45000 stadium.

As for Wayne Apuna, or what was, I think, the first Parade All-American, first teamer from Hawai’i, bruddha had a bad case of what I would call the “heads”. First of all, he could flat out play—period. But he went from big head, which went to stupid head, which went to head case, we all make bad decisions as young men, its too bad he could not have gotten on field more, as he did most of his playing time during his freshmen year. Had all the talent in world to have been a ten year player in the NFL.

As for Leroy, he actually might have been better suited to play D. Ironically, we were loaded at outside linebackers during that era; Alvis Satele, ML Johnson, Anthony Woodsen, John Taylor, Pete Noga, all played pro ball. So, the fun question to ask is whether he would have cracked the lineup?

By: SteveM

SteveM — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 21:58:27 +0000

A-House — I vaguely recall saying you were going to the UMass game. Going with Panda if true?

By: A-House

A-House — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 21:54:21 +0000

#26:

did Wayne Apuna finish at ASU? heard he dropped out after his sophmore year.

By: Maddog50

Maddog50 — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 21:12:20 +0000

Saw the press conference for HB. Good ol country boy schmoozin the audience (Coach Stockstill). Here is what I want for Christmas-a flesh eating, throat grabbin, foot stompin performance from our country boys!!! GoWarriors!!!!

By: turfwar

turfwar — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 21:12:00 +0000

boo, I remember the recruiting battle for Lutu took a lot out of Tomey. He even had the Governor involved. Coach felt that if Lutu made the switch to DE/OLB he would have been a 10 year NFL guy. But no regrets on getting Noga out of that crew. He proved to be everything you could want for a growing program that also proved beneficial for years with the addition of future Nogas. To this day I also still think Wayne Apuna was as gifted a athlete as has ever come out of this state. He should have been a long time NFL guy and maybe even a pro bowl caliber type. He ran and moved like a 6′ 180 pound athlete but carried 235 on a 6’3″ frame. Don’t ever recall what happened to him. Kinda disappeared without finishing his career at ASU. I remember him lighting up someone on a crossing pattern. Might have been Walter Murray?