By Nic Sgaggi
Stampeders.com

Stampeders quarterback Bryant Moniz is set to reunite with Argonauts slotback Chad Owens when Calgary visits Toronto in regular season fashion on Saturday.

Though they’ll be opponents this weekend, Moniz credited his fellow Hawaiian for a lot of his success.

“He’s older than I am – I think I was in high school, or maybe even younger, when he was playing ball at (the University of Hawaii),” said Moniz. “But he’s definitely been a help to me getting up here. I’ve trained with him the past two off-seasons and helped him get ready, too. I was just trying to get ready to play anywhere at that time. We’ve built a good friendship over time and he’s definitely a hard worker.”

Moniz indicated that Owens’ influence was a factor in his decision to try out for a Canadian Football League team.

“He’s definitely motivated me,” said Moniz. “As I said, we worked out in the past off-season and he motivated me to try and make a run at making a team in the CFL. He thought that I had enough talent and skill to play in this league. He’s helped me sharpen those tools and, luckily enough, I was able to try out for the Stamps and make the roster.”

The Hawaiians have more than a home state in common — they both were born on the island of Oahu, both attended the University of Hawaii and they even have similar college nicknames, Moniz’s being “Mighty Mo” and Owens’ being “Mighty Mouse.”

“That was my nickname from when I was a little kid,” said Moniz. “It’s just coincidence. I didn’t really even think about (how similar the nicknames were) until now. It’s something about the mightiness, I guess.”

It’s no secret that Owens was a star at the University of Hawaii — he owns the school record for all-purpose yards. Moniz explains how his Week 3 opponent brought that local stardom with him to the CFL.

“There is definitely awareness (in Hawaii) about what Chad Owens has done in the CFL and what he does in the community,” said Moniz. “I think that is because the Hawaiian Islands, and Hawaii fans, are so loyal. Being that we don’t have any pro teams out in Hawaii for any sport, college football is kind of the biggest thing on the island. When you have a little bit of success there, you definitely have some loyal fans that follow you all over the world and I know that there are a lot of people back home tuning in to watch him play in the CFL.”

Moniz and Owens will have to turn the friendship off for a few hours this week but no matter what happens in Saturday’s game, the two will always share a special bond.

“When you’re from Hawaii, you just automatically have a mutual respect for each other,” said Moniz. “It’s a feeling of Ohana. You know, Lilo and Stitch — that family feeling. That stuff is really true. It’s just our culture.”

Making it to the professional level has undoubtedly been a special accomplishment for both Moniz and Owens, but it has meant just as much to the Hawaiian people as it has to them.

“Football is king in Hawaii,” said Moniz. “As small as our island is, the local people there just love football. We live for Friday night lights and for Hawaii football. When guys make it out of there, there’s always a big following.”