Fall Camp: Day 13

All the best to former UH defensive back Kent Kafentzis.

Today, Kafentzis undergoes a procedure to remove an 8-centimeter cancerous tumor that is located in his left kidney and affecting a major artery. It is a perfect storm that will require cardiovascular and heart surgeries.

"They told me I'm the unluckiest guy they've met," Kafentzis said. "It's rare. It's one of those dealt-a-bad-hand kind of things. I have to pray to get through this, bigger and better, like the 2009 UH football team."

Stephen Tsai also writes about Royce Pollard and Jovonte Taylor returning kicks, Inoke Funaki practicing on three separate special teams, and Alex Green taking his turn in the Noke formation.

During spring training, the Warriors installed their version of the Wildcat Offense, in which the lone running back takes the direct snap and either runs or throws off a rollout. The Warriors named their version after Inoke Funaki, a converted quarterback.

Now they have expanded to allow running back Alex Green to also serve as the wildcat.

"It's the Noke-AG package," Green said, proudly.

Jason Kaneshiro profiles Kealoha Pilares.

A relatively slight 175 pounds when he graduated from Damien, Pilares checked in for fall camp this month at around 200 pounds, having developed an appreciation for lifting since joining the Hawaii football program.

"I just like working out; it kind of gets your mind off of everything else," the junior slotback said. "It's kind of a natural high. Just working out in the morning, starting your day off right.

"It's been helping me a lot in my game, just being stronger. I've increased my speed and just being able to withstand some of the hits."

Kaneshiro also notes that there's a scrimmage today, Kenny Estes is back at practice after missing three days with a strained shoulder, and parking gates at Aloha Stadium opening an hour earlier than last year.