The Centurions: 61-65

The Star-Bulletin's countdown of UH football's "Centurions", the top 100 players in the University of Hawaii's 100 years of football, continues with numbers 61-65:

65. Kynan Forney, offensive lineman
64. Larry Khan-Smith, returner/receiver
63. Tony Morse, back
62. Jim Kalili, guard
61. Walter Briggs, safety

Dave Reardon profiles Tony Morse.

WHEN THINKING of Tony Morse, I remember a Skippa Diaz handshake. Thankfully, this was in the pre-manhug days because Morse looked like he could unintentionally squeeze the life out of me.

It was his induction to the UH Sports Circle of Honor, 1987. Morse, 72, fidgeted like a 4-year-old in church.

"He's just nervous," said Eddie Inouye, the UH sports information director. "He doesn't like to speak to groups."

We chatted a bit, he relaxed some and smiled. He crushed my hand again. I left thinking, yes, this big strong man could've played with today's players.

MORSE WAS a blocking back, playing with Buster Piltz, Jack Johnson. This 1934 backfield was so loaded, Morse started ahead of Tommy Kaulukukui (who was a year away from his run to fame).