THE NEWS TRIBUNE 2008 ALL-AREA FOOTBALL TEAM

Auburn's Jeff Gouveia and Danny Sai'ili Shelton, Lakes' Sione Potoa'e, and Federal Way's Andru Pulu were named to the News Tribune (Tacoma, WA) 2008 First Team All Area Football Team.











Gouveia (#5 in green jersey), Potoa'e (back row in orange)

JEFF GOUVEIA, Auburn
Linebacker, 5-11, 220, Senior
Bio: In the Trojans' 3-3 defense, everything funnels to the middle linebacker – and Gouveia, who was the team's leading tackler (96 tackles, one sack) for a second consecutive season. Combine great instincts with a physical specimen, and you've got the co-SPSL linebacker of the year. Also was the league's offensive back MVP (1,253 yards, 31 TDs). Could walk on at Washington.
More about Gouveia: He is also the defensive stopper on the basketball team at guard.
***Named First Team All League at RB and LB***

SIONE POTOA'E, Lakes
Defensive lineman, 6-3, 285, Junior
Bio: Paired with senior Tuiasosopo Niusulu, this is the best tandem of defensive tackles Lakes has had under coach Dave Miller. Potoa'e (40 tackles, three sacks, four fumble recoveries) has the three things that make a great interior run-stopper – nimble feet, active hands and strength (415-pound bench press). He also plays offensive tackle, and was named the SPSL 3A's top lineman.
More about Potoa'e: The big man loves to croon and write poetry.
***Named SPSL 3A Offensive Lineman of the Year***












Shelton (#71 in green), Pulu (second row next to #71)

ANDRU PULU, Federal Way
Offensive lineman, 6-3, 250, Senior
Bio: Pulu’s season was cut short with a knee injury, but he did return to play in the team’s playoff game at Skyline. A two-time All-Area selection, Pulu was a cornerstone for Federal Way the last two seasons. This fall he earned first-team all-SPSL North offensive lineman honors and also was named the league’s co-defensive player of the year at linebacker. He has given a verbal commitment to the University of Washington.
More about Pulu: He also throws the shot put.

DANNY SHELTON, Auburn
Offensive lineman, 6-3, 305, Sophomore
Bio: The only sophomore on the All-Area squad, Shelton was a two-way starter for third-ranked Auburn, helping the Trojans rush for more than 400 yards per game. SPSL North coaches recognized that the youngster could play with the older boys, voting him to the league’s first-team on the offensive and defensive lines.
More about Shelton: He will turn 16 in August.

Also named to the second team were defensive lineman Tuiasosopo Niusulu (Lakes) who was SPSL 3A's defensive line player of the year.