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“The Hitman.” 

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Soares a big hit for the Warriors

Staff Reporter

Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009

Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009

New Folder/WEB Soares-3.png

Brian Tseng

Senior linebacker Blaze Soares has started all 10 games this season for the Warrior football team. He has 35 solo tackles, 38 assisted tackles, and three interceptions. The 2005 Castle High School graduate began playing football at the age of seven with the ʻEwa Beach Cardinals.

“The Hitman.” 

The two words printed on Blaze Soares’ senior shirt symbolizes everything he loves about football. 

“I just love the fact that you get to hit each other – you get to fly around at full speed and just kill each other,” said Soares, a linebacker on the Warrior football team. “The best thing about it is while you’re doing it, you’re not getting arrested for it.”

Soares’ football career began at the age of seven. 

“I played for the ‘Ewa Beach Cardinals,” he said. “I’ve been playing football ever since.”

He graduated from Castle High School in 2005, where he twice earned division Defensive Player of the Year. He joined the Warriors in 2006, where he appeared in 12 games off the bench.

After two successful seasons with the Warriors, Soares was sidelined in 2008 after tearing a ligament in his left calf on the second day of training camp.

“Last season, sitting out was probably one of the crappiest feelings I’ve ever experienced, but that’s life,” Soares said. “(But) what that injury has taught me is that the game that you love to play can be easily taken away; it taught me to appreciate things and just enjoy every day that I’m out (there) standing on the field.”

Last spring, Soares began rehabilitation to prepare for his return to the field. To prevent further injury, he rehabbed twice a day and worked to strengthen his entire body.

This season, Soares has started all 10 games, amassing 35 solo tackles and 38 assists. He also has three interceptions, including one against New Mexico State last weekend when he gained 21 yards.

“He has done wonders even though he didn’t play last year,” defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Cal Lee said. “His experience, his athletic ability, his passion for the game ... he just is an inspiration to the rest of the team.”

Throughout his four years, Soares has made two trips to the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl and one trip to the BCS Allstate Sugar Bowl, but he enjoys being with his teammates the most.

“The camaraderie of the boys, going on the road trips, and hanging out with the ‘braddahs’ ... just getting to know this coaching staff and how these coaches are like my uncles – they’re family,” Soares said. “That’s what I love about this place.”

Regardless of the Warriors’ current 4-6 record, Soares vows that the team will not give up and will continue to work for a postseason bowl game.

“We’ve been struggling, but now we’re starting to come back together as a team,” he said. “The thing that I’m so proud of this team is they never gave up on each other; they all stuck together, and we keep pushing each other as a team and we keep pushing forward.”

According to Lee, Soares’ outlook is what has made him such an influential member of the team. 

“He’s not as vocal as most people, but he leads by his performance,” Lee said. “People respect the way he plays, and he leads by example.”

Soares is set to graduate at the end of this semester with a degree in sociology. Following graduation, he plans to take a vacation and “just enjoy life for a little while.” 

“Being here the past couple years, I don’t have much of a life, and I just want to enjoy the true beauty of Hawai‘i,” Soares said.

Soares also plans to continue his training in anticipation of Pro Day, when he hopes to make an impression on NFL scouts.

“Football is my dream,” he said. “That was always my dream to get to the next level, and I’m going to try and give myself the opportunity to get there – train my best, and whatever happens, happens.”

If making it to the next level doesn’t work out, Soares plans to put his sociology degree to use. 

“I want to be a social adviser or a counselor and help kids get by and help put their life back (together),” Soares said. “I just want to try and help out as much as I can.”

 

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