Aztecs’ Offense Will Pack a ‘Hawaiian Punch’

A new strategy called “Hawaiian Punch” is adding flavor to San Diego State’s offense this season.

Levi Esene, a Hawaiian-born starter at defensive tackle, will also be used as a blocking fullback in short-yardage and goal-line situations, much the way the Chicago Bears use William (The Refrigerator) Perry.

“This has been going on as long as football has been around,” Aztec Coach Denny Stolz said. “If you watched the Super Bowl two years ago, you saw Bill Walsh (coach of the San Francisco 49ers) put an offensive guard in there. When you put the 320-pound Refrigerator in there on a world championship team and he gets a couple of touchdowns on TV, all of a sudden somebody created something. In the Bears’ situation and our situation, it’s good strategy.”

Esene (5-feet 11-inches, 260 pounds) was a fullback in high school. However, he was switched to the defensive line as a freshman at Merced College.

Though the Aztecs plan to use Esene primarily as a blocker, they did throw a pass to him in practice two days ago.

“Let’s face it,” Esene said, “I never thought I’d play fullback in Division I. I love it--a defensive lineman playing fullback.”

Harold Hicks, a free safety from Pasadena City College, apparently will start ahead of Bryan Hailey. Hicks originally planned to attend Georgia, but he joined the Aztecs before practice began this month.

“That appears to be the direction it’s going,” said Stolz, who cautioned that he has not yet made a final decision.

The two starting wide receiver spots are still being contested by Brett Blanchard, Anthony Conyers, Alfred Jackson and Kenny Moore.

“I don’t think we’ll decide (on the starters) until game time,” Stolz said. “Those four kids will all play.”

Freshman Tom Wurth of Monte Vista High School was considered SDSU’s top kicker before practice began. However, sophomore walk-on John Palatella has been battling evenly with Wurth.

Said Stolz about Wurth: “He hasn’t come to the top like I had hoped he would.”

Quarterback Todd Santos completed 12 of 17 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown in Saturday morning’s scrimmage. He was intercepted once. Reserve Jim Plum was 3 of 7 for 31 yards.

The defensive starters did not participate because coaches wanted to evaluate younger players. Offensive regulars were used on a limited basis.

Reserve halfback Ron Slack sprained his ankle on the fifth play, but he is expected to be ready for next Saturday’s season opener against Cal State Long Beach.