In four previous opening days, Matagisila Lefiti watched other centers lead the Hawaii offense to the line of scrimmage to begin fall camp.
On Thursday, Lefiti’s turn finally arrived.
For the first time in his career, Lefiti entered camp as the Warriors’ top center, eager to take his spot as the hub of the offensive line as a fifth-year senior.
"Coming into camp as the No. 1 center I feel responsible for my actions and also for the entire line," Lefiti said. "I just want to be a leader and help anybody out who needs help."
Lefiti was redshirt during the Warriors’ 2007 run to the Sugar Bowl, then backed up All-WAC mainstay John Estes the next two years. He was expected to earn to the starting job last year, but a foot injury suffered at the end of spring practice sidetracked those plans.
His recovery limited him to watching last year’s camp and he sat out the early portion of the 2010 campaign.
"It was tough feeling like that was my shot and it was just gone," Lefiti recalled. "But everything is good now."
When Lefiti was declared fit for action, senior Bronson Tiwanak had entrenched himself as the starter, holding the spot for all 14 games.
Lefiti rotated with Tiwanak in 11 appearances, but wasn’t quite back to full strength. Lefiti said the time spent allowing his foot to heal affected his knees and hips as well. Then there was getting back up to game speed.
"I was rusty, after five months off, I was lost at first," Lefiti said of his first significant game action since his senior year at Mater Dei (Calif.) High School. "We were changing up some blocking schemes here and there."
But any lingering concerns were swept away by the time the Warriors entered this summer.
"He played a fair amount (last year), but he was still protective of (his foot) with his running and his planting and everything," UH offensive line coach Gordy Shaw said. "But spring answered all those questions. He’s back to the old Sila again."
Listed at 6 feet and 285 pounds, Lefiti strides to the ball shaded by guard 6-5 Brett Leonard on one side and 6-4 Chauncy Winchester-Makainai on the other. Then there’s 6-6 Sean Shigematsu and 6-2 Clayton Laurel at the tackle spots.
"Not the tallest guy on the team, but plays big," Shaw said of Lefiti. "He’s a technician, that’s why he can play. He doesn’t goof up with his feet and puts his body in the right spot on the defender to keep him blocked."
Then there’s his accumen with the schemes and line calls honed over four years in the program.
"He knows the offense inside and out," Shaw said, "sometimes too good."
Lefiti is a senior member of a line that replaces the five who started the final two games of last season. Like Lefiti, Leonard was in line to start last year until he suffered an injury late in fall camp, heightening their anticipation and motivation.
"We have a good cohesive group, so we’re just going to fight our way through whatever we have to do together," Lefiti said.
"We know this is our shot to go out there and show people we’re going to be good this year. I’m just looking forward to getting it done."
