CalHiSports First Team All State

First Team

OL Wade Yandell (Carson) 6-4, 300, Sr.

The two-time All-L.A. City pick enjoyed a strong fall season and also was the South Bay Daily Breeze's Lineman of the Year. Yandell, who helped Carson to a berth in the L.A. City Section semifinals, will play next season at UCLA.

DL Vei Moala (Grant, Sacramento) 6-3, 335, Jr.

With a defense unlike any seen in the Sacramento area for decades, this talented junior recorded 104 tackles and 15 sacks to earn our selection as the state's top junior, which hadn't been awarded to a lineman since 1962. The Pacers' defense opened the season with five straight shutouts, including an impressive one in Washington against perennial power Bellevue with Moala getting three sacks in that game. He now has the attention of every big-time Division I school nationwide.

DL Thomas Molesi (Oceanside) 6-2, 280, Sr.

He was named the San Diego Section Defensive Player of the Year after the Pirates captured their sixth straight section title and ended the season with a win up in Carson over Bellarmine Prep in the CIF D1 bowl game. Molesi played on both sides of the line, but it was on the defensive side where he was the most effective as the Pirates allowed just 116 points in 14 games to end the season with a 39-game unbeaten streak. A three-year starter for the Pirates, Molesi he will head to Oregon State next season.

DL Kirifi Leuta-Taula (Servite, Anaheim) 6-4, 270, Sr.

Despite missing several games this season due to a broken arm, there's no doubt when healthy he was one of the state's best defensive linemen. After waiting until after his senior season was finished before making his college choice, he committed to Arizona. He had to sit out the 2007 season after transferring from Lutheran of Orange to Servite and in 2008 was a first-team All-Trinity League selection.

DL Justin Utupo (Lakewood) 6-3, 250, Sr.

The Los Angeles Times' Lineman of the Year recorded two huge fumble recoveries against Poly of Long Beach as the Lancers defeated the Jackrabbits, 21-14, to end Poly's 80-game league winning streak and give the Lancers their first win over Poly since 1982. In his best game of the season, he recorded four sacks in a the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division quarterfinals against Bishop Amat. Utupo ended the year with 16 sacks and 29 tackles for loss and is going to Notre Dame.