Blaze Soares is rekindling his football career.

Soares, a linebacker who did not play as a freshman last season, is among 105 players who will participate in the University of Hawai'i football team's training camp next month.

"Everything is good now," Soares said.

Soares, a three-time All-State selection from Castle High School, had said he did not fulfill the Algebra II requirement needed to play as an NCAA Division I-A freshman last season. That left him with two options: Attend a junior college or a four-year college that does not field a football team. If he attended a junior college as a partial qualifier, he would need to earn an associate degree before transferring to a Division I-A school. If he attended a four-year college that does not offer football, he could transfer after earning 24 credits.

Soares chose to attend Hawai'i Pacific University, where he earned more than 24 transferrable credits.

"It was kind of expensive," said Soares, who could not receive scholarship money from UH while attending HPU. He said his high school graduation money, parents' assistance and a part-time job helped pay for his HPU tuition.

"My parents came through for me," Soares said. "They're making my dreams come true."

Soares, who signed a letter of intent with UH in February 2005, will receive a football scholarship from the Warriors this season.

"It was a tough year," Soares said. "It was hard to sit on the sideline and watch everybody else play. It made me more hungry."

Soares said he kept fit working out with his high school coach, Harry Pa'aga. Soares, who is 6 feet 2, has gained at least 10 pounds and now weighs between 225 and 230.

As a Castle senior, Soares bench pressed a maximum 405 pounds, and 225 pounds 17 times. He said his current training focuses on repetitive lifting. He said he can bench press 315 pounds up to 10 times and 350 pounds five times.

Soares is projected to compete at inside linebacker in the Warriors' 3-4 defensive scheme.

MANEAFAIGA'S STATUS REMAINS UNANSWERED

Running back Bryan Maneafaiga is waiting for the NCAA to rule on his appeal for an exemption that would allow him to play as a sixth-year senior in 2006.

Maneafaiga said he submitted documents to UH assistant athletic director Bill Bryant, who is in charge of compliance and eligibility. Bryant is UH's liaison with the NCAA.

The NCAA allows a player five years to play four seasons. Maneafaiga played two seasons at a junior college, but was not enrolled in school in 2003 because he did not have enough money for tuition. Still, his eligibility clock kept ticking. He played for UH in 2004 , but was limited to one game last year because of an injury.

'LEAHEY AND LEAHEY' RETURNS TO AIRWAVES

Tonight's return of "Leahey and Leahey" — hosted by father-son sportscasters Jim Leahey of K5 and Kanoa Leahey of KHON-2 — proves television programming is cyclical.

The 30-minute show airs on KHET, beginning at 7:30 p.m. — the same public television station that aired the weekly "June Jones Show" in the fall of 2001. Jones, UH's head football coach since 1999, is tonight's featured guest on "Leahey and Leahey."

Last year, Kanoa Leahey was host of the "June Jones Show" on KHON-2. Scott Humber was executive producer.

Humber retains that role when the coach's show airs on KGMB-9 this season. Humber also is executive producer of "Leahey and Leahey."

And "Leahey and Leahey" is a resurrection of the popular radio show, which enjoyed two successful runs on KKEA-1420 AM (now known as ESPN 1420 AM). The Leaheys discontinued the radio show last year after a dispute with a KKEA manager over the program's format.

"It's going to be a good show," said Jones, who discusses the upcoming season and admits to a mistake he made in choosing the team's road uniforms. "The Leaheys do a good job. (Jim) Leahey is a good friend of mine. He has a big heart. That's why I like him."

FREE FOOTBALL CAMPS ON BIG ISLAND, KAUA'I

Former UH assistant coach Duane Akina, Texas' co-defensive coordinator, will be the featured instructor at football camps on the Big Island this weekend and on Kaua'i next week.

There is no admission charge for the camps.

The first camp will be held Saturday at Kea'au Elementary School Saturday and Sunday at Konawaena High School.

Sessions are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 9-13, and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for ages 14 and older.

For details, call Billy Kenoi at (808) 961-8508.

The second camp is July 17 to 19 at Vidinha Stadium.

Camp sessions are 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages 9 to 13, and 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. for ages 14 and older.

Also, clinics for coaches are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. each day at the Kaua'i Beach Hotel and Resort (formerly Raddison Hotel).

For information, call Edie Ignacio or Roy Nishida at (808) 241-6646 or (808) 241-6312.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.