The following are preseason selections (note North Coast and Southern sections were not selected yet).
Central Section
OL – Ioane Savai'i (Taft) 6-3, 310, Sr.
He's also known as Buddah and he's part of a Taft offensive line that reportedly averages nearly 260 pounds per player. Savai'i is the younger brother of recent Taft lineman Ben Savai'i and was one of the top linemen in the South Sequoia League as a junior.
Central Coast Section
DL – Finau Likio (Wilcox, Santa Clara) 6-1, 320, Sr.
We could have listed Likio on offense, but we were short on defensive linemen so we slotted him on defense. Likio was force on both sides of the ball for the Chargers as a junior. He was chosen all-league as an offensive linemen, but he's tough to move out of there on run defense, frequently drawing double teams.
DL – Derek Muaava (Independence, San Jose) 6-1, 215, Jr.
One of the most versatile players in the CCS, Maauva also fit in best on this team as a rush end. He had eight sacks and 91 tackles as a sophomore. The powerfully-built athlete also rushe
d for 1,100 yards and showed he could catch the ball coming out of the backfield as well.
DL – Mata Tagoai (Jefferson, Daly City) 5-10, 220, Jr.
He played as a freshman for the Indians and last year continued to improve with five sacks and 50 tackles. Tagoai did most of his damage to the opposition as a defensive player, but he also was impressive as a lead-blocking fullback on offense.
LB – Anthony Pohahau (Wilcox, Santa Clara) 5-10, 240, Sr.
Doing his best Shawn Merriman impersonation, he led the Chargers in tackles last season with 116 while also rushing for 605 yards and 11 touchdowns. Pohahou had a busy summer, going to more than a handful of camps, including those at USC and Cal. Impressive performances at both events have helped him get more notice.
LA City Section
OT -- Wade Yandall (Carson) 6-4, 280 Sr.
Last year, the line on this preseason team was smallish in size, but this season the beef is back. Not only do the hogs up front have size, they are also talented. This returning first team All-Marine League choice can dominate prep lineman on both sides of the ball and recruiters love his versatility along the offensive line. He was a second team all-state underclass pick by CalHiSports.com in 2008 and another plus is his grades in the classroom. Yandall could probably attend an Ivy League school if he chose to.
OG -- Mackenzie Falo (Carson) 6-2, 270 Sr.
A repeat selection, Falo made the team last year at nose guard, but he's also an effective left guard so that's the position he mans on this year's squad. Falo has grown at least an inch and gained 30 pounds in the last year and is already a two-time all-Marine League choice. He was a second team all-state underclass choice last season on the defensive side of the ball.
LA City Honorable Mention Selections: Maka Maka (DL, 6'0, 310, Sr) Arleta, Myan Tave (DB, 6'0, 170, Sr), Carson
Sac-Joaquin Section
OL – Nate Falo (Inderkum, Sacramento) 6-1, 255, Jr.
Promising prospect on both sides of the ball was an all-state sophomore selection after the 2008 season. Falo also was a second team All-Sacramento Bee choice and has the power, speed and strength to make his name known even more in 2009.
OL – Lefi Letuligasenoa (Elk Grove) 6-2, 270, Sr.
We may have to check his last name a few times to make sure it's spelled correctly but one thing we don't need to check a second time is his ability to be a factor on both sides of the line. In limited action on defense, he recorded 22 tackles but it was his play on the offensive line that had us name him to our all-state junior team last year. Besides having schools like Cal and USC after his football abilities, he also is a standout wrestler and has a GPA over 4.0.
DL – Viliami Moala (Grant, Sacramento) 6-3, 305, Jr.
Of all the players in the section, Moala may have the most upside. The way he dominated the interior of the Long Beach Poly offensive line in last year's CIF Open Division bowl game was obvious to many in press row and to the college coaches who were there. Moala was a first team EA SPORTS Sophomore All-American and could be one of the top recruits in the nation next year. Comparisons to Haloti Ngata of the Baltimore Ravens (who we also saw in high school) are legit.
Sac-Joaquin Second Team: Daryl Paulo (OL, Jr) Grant
San Diego Section
OL Brandon Falaniko (Mount Miguel, Spring Valley) 6-2, 288, Sr.
There are many in the San Diego area who think Mount Miguel will surprise a lot of people and one of the main reasons is Falaniko, a tough two-way player who likes contact. Still growing, he could hit 310 without a drop in quickness.
OL Thomas Molesi (Oceanside) 6-2, 280, Sr.
The Pirates open the season ranked No. 10 in the state and Molesi is one of the reasons. Sure, Oceanside has lots of talent, especially at wide receiver, but Molesi and his buddies up front must do their job and Oregon State, where he has verbally committed, certainly believes he's the real deal and anyone who has watched him would agree.
RB/LB Rene Siluano (Oceanside) 5-10, 195, Sr.
Some like him better at running back because he can take a hit but if you saw in that section title game, it was the hits he was giving that impressed everyone and convinced San Diego State to offer him a full ride. He accepted and now can focus on creating even more havoc as the leader of the defense.
No comments:
Post a Comment