honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 30, 2007

Their job's on line on each snap

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Colt Brennan's protectors this season were center John Estes, guards Hercules Satele and Larry Sauafea, and tackles Keith AhSoon and Keoni Steinhoff.

GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser

spacer spacer
Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Keoni Steinhoff, in his first year as a starting tackle, went up against a Washington Husky on Dec. 1.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

spacer spacer

When a team passes the ball seven of every 10 plays, it had better have some good offensive linemen.

The five up front for the No. 10 Hawai'i football team have experienced highs and lows this season, but managed to hold up, helping the Warriors become the nation's only 12-0 major-college football team.

Tuesday, the Warriors' O-line will face its toughest task to date, a tussle with Georgia, ranked No. 4 by The Associated Press and No. 5 in the Bowl Championship Series poll.

"We're expecting a dog fight. We know they'll be ready," said Hawai'i offensive line coach Dennis Mc-Knight. "They're really athletic and quick."

The Bulldogs are battle-tested after finishing the regular season at 10-2. Georgia came out of the brutal Southeastern Conference with a 6-2 record.

"They're very quick and explosive," said senior guard Hercules Satele. "They've got great motors all around. They've had a lot of sacks in the past few games and we know they can attack the quarterback whenever they want to, so we have to do our best to keep them off Colt (Brennan)."

The 6-foot-2, 293-pound Satele, a first-team All-WAC selection, starts at left guard.

"Herc's done a great job all year," said McKnight. "He's on the quiet side, but he lets his play speak for him."

Juniors Keith AhSoon (6-1, 315) and Keoni Steinhoff (6-3, 269) start at left and right tackle, respectively.

"There's been questions about them about them since they started, but they handled it well and they've been working their butts off every day, trying to prove people wrong," said Satele.

AhSoon and Steinhoff are first-year starters. Last year's tackles, Dane Uperesa and Tala Esera, were both signed by NFL teams.

Senior Larry Sauafea (6-2, 294) starts at right guard. He is also a first-year starter.

"He's improved a lot since the first game," said Satele. "With every snap, every game, he's been getting better and better."

Hawai'i's offensive line was a question mark coming into the season and center was the biggest concern.

Three-time All-WAC selection Samson Satele completed his eligibility last December and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of April's NFL Draft with the 60th overall pick.

Sophomore John Estes (6-2, 292), who played at right guard last season, has filled the void left by Samson Satele's departure.

"We can't ask more of John," said Hercules Satele. "He goes all out on the field and he's a person I trust, playing side-by-side with him for three years now."

Estes was also named first team All-WAC.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.