Future Warriors Update

The Varsity Times Insider, an LA Times blog, has a nice write-up of UH commit Corey Nielsen.

Nielsen, who committed to Hawaii before the start of the season, is 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds with an NFL-quality arm. He has led Gahr’s no-huddle spread offense since his freshman season and has helped guide the Gladiators to a 2-1 start this season.

In Gahr’s 63-0 victory over crosstown rival Cerritos last Friday, Nielsen excited a near-full house at Rants Stadium with a six-touchdown effort, all in the first half.

Nielsen, the reigning state passing leader, finished 12 of 15 passing for 375 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for 18 yards and a score. For the season, Nielsen has completed 43 of 79 passes for 886 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

"The biggest drawback on Nielsen is his lack of height,” said Robert Brazille, a former personal quarterback coach who scouts for a national high school recruiting service. “But if you watch him play, he doesn’t play small. Nielsen has a great command of what’s happening on the field and shows great leadership skills.”

Corey's teammate and fellow UH commit Deondre Powell is also mentioned in the post.

And receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann is featured in a Star-Bulletin article about first-year Saint Louis head coach John Hao and the Crusaders' 4-0 start.

Mindful of Stutzmann's speed, opposing defenses have keyed on stopping him this season.

"Everybody knows about Billy, and that opens up everything else," said Hao. "A lot of times, (defenses) take him away and when they finally go 1-on-1 with him, it's 'See ya.' "

Stutzmann put his breakaway ability on display with an 85-yard touchdown reception against Punahou, the highlight of a five-catch, 139-yard effort.

On Friday, he came up big again with the two clutch second-half scoring catches against Kamehameha.

Still, it can't be easy being Billy Ray Stutzmann.

After all, the eyes of the Crusader nation have been upon him since he was playing youth football for the Kapahulu Raiders, and he grew up watching his brother Craig star at Saint Louis and UH.

"There's a little pressure, but it's mainly motivation, because you want to do good for (the fans and alumni)," Stutzmann said. "It motivates you to be your best."