Some things are not fair.

David Blaine playing hide-and-seek. Reporters in a Mr. Geek contest. And the University of Hawai'i football team using a shovel-pass play.

"That's been a good play for us through the years," UH quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich said after a 2-hour workout at the grass practice field yesterday.

The Warriors worked it to perfection on the first of a 35-play controlled scrimmage, with running back Leon Wright-Jackson breaking away for a long gain. While the defense continues to be ahead entering the final week of spring training, the improving offense is showing that, if nothing else, it has a play that is a great equalizer.

To be precise, it is a "shuffle" play, although the pass is called a "shovel." It is a play that is a counter-attack to a blitzing defense.

The offense waits for the pass-rushers to storm into the backfield. Then the quarterback pitches forward the ball to an on-the-move running back, who follows a wall of blockers into the open field. Last year, the Warriors had a yards-after-catch average of 14.52 on shovel passes.

A strong opening in the scrimmage, which was attended by more than 400 high school and youth coaches, was key for an offense under the new direction of offensive coordinator Ron Lee. The previous nine seasons, the Warriors were in a shot-gun formation. This spring, Lee has implemented a scheme in which the quarterback takes snaps from under center, a strategy that will improve the running game, create opportunities for play-action passes and bootlegs, and keep defenses guessing.

The defense, which returned many top-rotation players, runs the same scheme as last season, which helped it dominate last week's scrimmage.

None of the first-team defenders participated in the scrimmage. Still, Wright-Jackson observed, "I knew our defense was coming at full speed. That's how our defense is. It's a defense that is very hungry."

Quarterback Inoke Funaki started behind the center, then stepped back to take the shotgun snap. Funaki rolled to his left and pitched ahead to Wright-Jackson, who was set free by left tackle Aaron Kia's block.

"I was really excited about that first play," Funaki said. "It works better when you're in the shotgun, and (the defense is) shooting upfield. We executed it really well, from the blocking to Leon's position. Sometimes it's difficult to get the ball right on the money. (The pass) hit (Wright-Jackson) right on the inside shoulder so he could turn and get up field. It was nice. Hopefully, we can get to that level where we can execute every play that good."

After that, it was an even battle. The defense still made big plays — safety Kenny Estes intercepted a Tyler Graunke pass and broke up what should have been a sure completion to Jon Medeiros — and fueled the pressure, blitzing on every down.

The constant blitzing "is a little tough on the quarterback," Rolovich said, "but they have to handle it. They did a good job."

The co-No. 1 quarterbacks, Funaki and Graunke, shared about a fourth of the snaps. Jake Santos, the No. 3 quarterback, Shane Austin, Bryce Kalauokaaea and Kiran Kepo'o also played. It was the first significant appearance for Kepo'o, who spent most of last season recovering from head injuries suffered in an accident. Kepo'o completed one of two passes for 21 yards.

Greg Salas, who is the No. 1 left wideout, and right slotback Kealoha Pilares, who moved from running back, also played well.

Salas had a 30-yard play in which he bounced off three would-be tacklers. Salas has gained more than a dozen pounds since the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl, and at 205 pounds, he has the strength — and confidence — to run slant patterns into the teeth of the defense.

"If you're afraid to go across the middle," Salas said, "you're not going to catch too many balls. You can't be scared out there."

Rolovich said: "I'm impressed with Salas. People look up to him. He's doing the right things. He's not a real vocal guy, but people look up to him and learn from him. He's tough. He's strong. He has strong hands. He's tough to bring down."

In the past week, Pilares has made a noticeable improvement in reading defensive coverages. In this version of the four-wide offense, receivers are required to do more on-the-move reads.

But Pilares said he still has a way to go.

"I feel I didn't make the right moves after the catch," he said. "I have standards. I could have had bigger plays. I'll get better as the days go by."

Pilares said he was troubled by his post-catch decision on an out route. "I was heading upfield," he said. "I had the (defender) stopped, and I tried to cut back in. I have to trust in my little speed that I've got to try and out-run him. I could have done it."

Pilares has bulked up to 193, a weight he wishes to maintain entering the season.

"It's a good weight," he said. "I'm building up my legs more than anything. I go into the weight room, and all I'll do is legs. I'm trying to emphasize getting my legs stronger so I can break more tackles."

After the scrimmage, head coach Greg McMackin praised the development of the offense. Except for the opening shovel pass, the quarterback was under center for all but two of the remaining plays.

"The offense made a lot of good plays," McMackin said. "The receivers ran good routes. (The quarterbacks) are throwing it so much better. We were blitzing the whole time. I'm really pleased. I have a lot of faith in Ron Lee and the offensive staff. There's a lot of coaching going on, and you can see the progression.

"It's a matter of getting more and more reps," McMackin added. " I can see in the last week we made a giant leap on offense. Defensively, we've continued to improve. We're making plays on both sides of the ball."

NO QUIT IN PURCELL

Last year, defensive end Elliott Purcell considered quitting the sport because of family concerns. He had confided in a handful of coaches, including McMackin, who was the defensive coordinator.

"I didn't want it to be an open thing," Purcell said. "Coach (June) Jones didn't know what was going on with me. He thought I was slacking. I was having family problems."

But everything became better when his son Taimane, now 6 months, was born.

"(The birth) helped me become more focused," he said. "I'm more dedicated. I don't go out anymore. It's strictly family, school and football."

The former Saint Louis School standout has emerged as the No. 2 defensive right end. He has developed into a skilled pass-rusher. What's more, he is playing with more emotion, as evidenced by his scuffle with Kia yesterday.

"I got upset," he said. "I let my emotions take over. I'm sorry about that. We're good friends. We're best friends off the field. Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field."