Eastern Washington defensive end Albert Havili has embraced change

Albert Havili often gets asked about one remarkable play from his true freshman year at Eastern Washington.

Late in the fourth quarter of an FCS playoff game at Roos Field in 2013 against Jacksonville State, the outcome was still in doubt.

Down by four late in the fourth quarter, JSU quarterback Max Shortell dropped back and checked out his options. So did Havili, who had dropped into coverage from his spot at middle linebacker.

“I just looked at his eyes,” said Havili, who intercepted the ball and returned it 77 yards for a clinching touchdown. It was the biggest play in a 35-24 win that sent the Eagles to the semifinals.

None of the JSU players came close to catching Havili on that play, but something else was gaining on him.

His weight.

“My Polynesian genes, I knew they were going to kick in,” said Havili, a Tongan who was born in Hawaii and grew up in Federal Way, Washington.

Sure enough, by his sophomore year Havili had added another 10 pounds to his 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame, and former Eastern defensive line coach Ryan Sawyer “was checking me out,” recalled Havili.

Havili staved off the inevitable in 2014, starting twice and playing in 13 games as Eastern reached the quarterfinals.

A few pounds later, Havili moved somewhat reluctantly to the line, then sadly to the sideline with a knee injury that cost him not only that spring but the entire 2015 season.

“I just wanted to be there to support my teammates … It was hard, not suffering with then and going through all the hard work with them,” Havili said.

More hard work was ahead in the spring of 2016. Everything had changed; Havili was in a new position, with a new position coach and fighting for playing time in the Eagles’ new 4-2-5 scheme.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it – all the mental work … but now that we’re on the field, it’s all different,” Havili said at the time.

Looking back now, it still was difficult. “Going from playing in space to the front line and engaging blockers, it took awhile,” Havili said.

However, the transition was eased by new defensive front coordinator Eti Ena, another Polynesian who years earlier made the same move from linebacker to line.

Ena saw only the positives.

“I like football players who have position flexibility,” Ena said. “You have to be physical, but also you have to mentally embrace different concepts.”

Liking the football business to the business world, Ena said it’s important to “diversify your portfolio.”

Playing for the first time in 21 months, Havili’s stock rose quickly. His first start was the season opener at Washington State, a 45-42 win in which he made six tackles.

By year’s end, Havili had started all 14 games. He finished with 61 tackles, with two passes broken up and a team-high eight quarterback hurries.

“I just want to thank all the guys who supported me – the players and especially the coaches, I give it all up to them,” Havili said.

His teammates gave him another boost this spring, electing him a senior captain. The coaches moved him to Samson Ebukam’s old spot at buck end.

Then Eastern dropped its first two games, a sore subject despite five wins since then.

“We have to play every game like it’s a championship game,” said Havili, who has the chance to be a four-time Big Sky Conference champion.

“But we are getting better … I really believe this team has a chance to do something great,” Havili said.