GPA Football Showcase: Day 2 update

The GPA Football College Showcase enters its second day on a sunny, picturesque morning in Manoa.

Saturday’s itinerary:
8:30 a.m. College coaches check in.
8:45 a.m. 2-minute drill on bleachers (Education First). Introduce local coaches.
9-9:25 a.m. Agility. Coach Ikei and DBs in auditorium (film study).
9:25-9:30 a.m. Water break. Divide fields up: QB/WR on Field 3 (UH football practice field); RB on Field 2 (soccer field), joined by DB; OL/DL on Field 1 (T.C. Ching Field); LB on Field 2, then auditorium (9:35 a.m.).
9:30-10 a.m. Individual
10-10:30 a.m. 1-on-1. RB/LB.
10:05 a.m. DL film study in auditorium.
10:40-11 a.m. Skills/install.
11-11:45 a.m. 7-on-7. Level 1/2/3/4.
11:45-noon Showcase on Field 1. OL vs. DL, RB vs. LB, WR vs. DB.
Noon College head coach talk.
12:15-2 p.m. Lunch.
2:20-2:45 p.m. Lions and Gazelles (six stations).
2:45-2:50 p.m. Water break, Speaker. Players return to same fields assigned in the morning.
2:45-3:15 p.m. WR in auditorium.
2:50-3:10 p.m. Individual.
3:10 p.m. Water break
3:15-3:45 p.m. RB in auditorium.
3:40-4:00 p.m. 1-on-1.
4:00-4:45 p.m. 7-on-7.
4:50-5:05 p.m. Showcase, Field 1. OL vs. DL. RB vs. LB.

Resume on Sunday morning.

UPDATE (Saturday)
8:40 a.m.
Education First, spearheaded by Asai Gilman, is conducting seminars this morning and Sunday morning for players and parents. The seminars began on Friday night.

“It’s about explaining the college recruiting game, helping everyone find their vision,” Gilman said. “Generally, we try to help them recognize their next steps, their fit to the (college football) division. The three components we discussed today: athletics, academics and leadership. Those three will get them through any division and make it real. What’s it really like for me to compete at each of the levels. There are 450 programs and 2 percent sign with Division I/FBS. What’s your plan and what can we do to support that.”

Also on hand to help his son, Alohi Gilman, and a former teammate of Alohi, John Farley.

The massive turnout — nearly 600 at last count — is nearly double what Chad Ikei and Rich Miano had at last year’s event. Can the volunteer staff, comprised of college and high school coaches, along with coordinators who help keep the schedule intact, handle the load? That remains to be seen, but during Friday’s introduction, Ikei talked about growing the event even more next year.

For the boys from Baldwin, it’s a can’t-miss situation. The four Bears — defensive back Damien DeFrancia Jr., running back Frank Galios, linebacker Kahoku Benavides and wide receiver/defensive back/returner Laakea Kahoohanohano-Davis — were sitting quietly in the shade as check-in began Saturday morning. DeFrancia not only made the trip from Maui with his teammates; he’s staying with relatives in Makaha during the Showcase.

DeFrancia and Kahoohanohano-Davis — who was inducted into the Enterprise Hawaii Hall of Honor last week — are attending their second GPA camp. They’ve already shared their thoughts with their teammates attending the Showcase for the first time.

“Just stay focused,” said Kahoohanohano-Davis, who broke hurdling records at the recent state track and field championships. “Show everybody what you can do, and keep hustling.”