Ex-Warrior Sopoaga returns to find peace, strength

Isa'ako "Isaac" Sopoaga is focused on the big picture, which is why he was disturbed by a recent shot.

"That's a bad picture," said Sopoaga, holding up the reporter's camera. "Where's the shaka sign? I always have a shaka sign. When I make a tackle, I have the shaka sign. Take it again."

The image was clear: Sopoaga, who was raised in American Samoa and now plays defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers, has pledged his allegiance to Hawaii.

"Without this place," said Sopoaga, who gazed around the University of Hawaii athletic complex, "I wouldn't be where I am today. When I was here, I was a student-athlete. Now I'm a pro athlete."

Sopoaga lived full-time in Hawaii a little more than two years, playing for the Warriors in 2002 and 2003. But he said he draws his "spiritual strength" from the islands. So much so that he and his wife - they have four children - own a house in Hawaii Kai and are looking to purchase a second home here.

"I like it here," he said. "On the mainland, it's busy - too many businesses. I can relax here. It's peaceful."

Sopoaga is in town to train and participate in football-related functions. During a break from yesterday's workout at UH's Ching Athletic Complex, he reflected on a National Football League career that will enter a seventh season.

"To be part of the NFL is amazing," he said, noting that while growing up "I never thought it would happen, never dreamed of it. I give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all of his blessings."

Sopoaga always had the strength. At UH, he was one of the first to bench press 500 pounds. At the NFL Scouting Combine in 2004, he bench pressed 225 pounds 42 times, which, at the time, was the second-most reps in the event's history.

But power was not enough for Sopoaga, who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. As a defensive tackle and nose tackle, Sopoaga was asked not only to hold the point, but to track ball-carriers. Too often, Sopoaga was out of position.

"Football," he admitted, "is more than running and lifting."

He said he devoted extra time to studying playbooks and videos of opponents.

"That really helped a lot," he said.

He also found another learning tool: rugby.

The 49ers were initially concerned about his participation in a Bay Area rugby league. Rugby players do not wear pads.

Sopoaga recalled telling the 49er coaches: "You have to trust me. This is what I need in the offseason as an extra workout."

Sopoaga said rugby's non-stop action kept him fit and trained him to track ball-carriers.

"Everything is fast in rugby," Sopoaga said. "The ball doesn't even stop, not like football. I always tell people rugby was my first sport. I love it."

The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Sopoaga has developed into a versatile defensive lineman. He now plays defensive end in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme.

In 2008, he signed a five-year contract worth about $20 million.

The best thing about his healthy bank account, Sopoaga said, is it allows him to spend time each year in Hawaii.

"This is my second home," he said.

June Jones Goodwill Mission hosts clinic for coaches and refs

Five coaches and referees took part in yesterday’s free coaches and referees clinic held at the Veterans Memorial Stadium, offered as part of the Third Annual American Samoa June Jones Goodwill Mission. Southern Methodist University Head Football Coach June Jones arrived Thursday night with NFL stars Jessie Sapolu, Mel Purcell and Nate Ilaoa.

Also along for the trip is Gerald Austin, a retired NFL official and SMU Wide Receivers Coach Jeff Reinebold.

During yesterday’s clinic Austin spoke to participants about how officiating in the NFL is different from the college levels and high school levels while Reinebold shared techniques with coaches.

Attending the clinic were: Fagaitua High School Head Football coach Sua’ese Pooch Ta’ase, Fa’asao Marist High School Head Football Coach Filoiali’i Langkilde, Leone High School Head Football Coach Pati Pati, Tafuna High School football coach Antonio Tupuola, coach Vanu Moe, and high school official Ene Kapisi with the Department of Education.

Chairman of the Samoa Bowl Committee Peter Gurr and Vice Chair Melila Purcell were also in attendance.

Austin explained to attendees about the job of referees in a game, and went over Game Impact Calls.

“The referees are there to manage the rhythm of the game, and to keep the flow of the game going,” he said. “The officials have to develop a rhythm, in order the game to run smoothly, and safely.”

Austin says that high school level football utilizes only five officials to manage a game while at the college level and NFL level seven officials are assigned to manage a game. He pointed out that each official has an assigned zone to cover during a game, so that they can capture every penalty and play from different angles.

He emphasized that an official should not go looking to make penalty calls, but to let the plays make the calls for them, going into demonstrations on restrictions in a tough called play, which he referred to as running plays and holding on passing plays.

He told participants that the worst blockers in the world in a football game, and the most mouthiest players on the field, are wide receivers.

Austin also included a film session for the clinic, so that the coaches and officials could have a real understanding of what is being brought to them, and what he is explaining from his point of view, throughout his career as a NFL official.

He also discussed personal fouls and how to spot these types of fouls in the game during action on the field. Unsportsmanlike conduct and the relationship between officials and coaches were also discussed in his officiating session.

Austin noted that in order for them to have a great bonding on and out of the field, is that they have to have a firm relationship with each other. Coaches have to have a relationship with the officials in order for them not to argue and get into personal issues during a game, he said.

Reinebold covered several areas with coaches including the job of each player and explained to the coaches how to visualize the attack, and how to come out with great defensive schemes, without the offense reading it.

He said that each player on defense has a purpose and a meaning as to why they are on the field. Each player represents something and a threat against their opponent in every move they do, he added.

Defensive Linemen are players who are typically strong and able to demand double team blocks. They can win within  the scheme as a smaller and quicker player, however, the ideal situation is to have a big body, particularly in run down situations.

About defensive ends, Reinebold shared how these players must be techniqued and leveraged, sound players. He said they can also win inside the scheme with “less than elite talent,” but they must be “unselfish and willing to play within the scheme.”

The role of linebackers was also covered. For outside linebackers, he says they are typically bigger and more physical and must posses physical ability to play over a tight end, and rush a tackle and drop into coverage.

The buck position linebacker, says Reinebold, must be able to play in the space, and the best of your coverage linebackers. The buck should also posses good pass rush and blitzing skills.

Middle linebackers, leaders of the defense, also known as the “Mike”, can be the least athletic of the linebackers he said.

“Football intelligence is important, but they must be able to play well between tackles,” said Reinebold.

Jones and his contingent of NFL players and coaches will visit three high school campuses today and depart the island tomorrow.

Wyoming football signs two more

Kurt Taufa’asau will complete his schooling at New Mexico Military this spring before enrolling this summer at UW.

The 6-2, 289-pound Taufa’asau, a native of American Samoa, was a first-team All-Western States Football League pick this past season as a sophomore. He had 40 tackles, the most on the team for a defensive lineman, including seven for loss. He also forced three fumbles.

Taufa’asau had been recruited in high school (Samoana in Pago Pago) by UW linebackers coach Mike Fanoga when Fanoga was at New Mexico State. Taufa’asau eventually ended up at New Mexico Military Institute.

“I think I might have got his attention again with the stats that I had this season,” Taufa’asau said. “When I went up there (for my visit), it was great … I had fun.

“And my D-line coach (Jerry Montgomery) told me if I committed to Wyoming, I had a great chance to compete for a starting spot for next season,” Taufa’asau added.

Taufa’asau went on to say that he was offered scholarships by Troy and Western Kentucky, and had also been recruited by Utah State and Tarleton State.

Taufa’asau is the fourth defensive lineman to commit to UW this fall and winter. The other three are high school seniors — tackle Tyler Strong (Niwot, Colo.) and ends Sonny Puletasi (Lawton, Okla.) and Riley Lange (Parker, Colo.).

AIGA Foundation and Hawaiian Air donate to Leone HS JV program and American Youth Football

Aiga Foundation and Hawaiian Airlines have teamed up to provide the Leone High School Junior Varsity football team and the American Youth Football of Samoa with much appreciated football equipment.

Aiga Foundation President George Malau’ulu coordinated with Hawaiian Airlines Pago Station Manager Ryan Anoa’i a shipment of over 30 helmets and shoulder pads.

Aiga Foundation has been supporting high schools in the Department of Education with sports equipment, uniforms and football clinics since the early 1990s.

Hawaiian Air accommodated the shipment of 20 boxes of the equipment.

Leone High School expressed their gratitude to Hawaiian Air for continuously supporting the community.

“Thanks to Hawaiian Air and Aiga Foundation, we were very blessed to receive the equipment before the opening of school,” shared LHS VP Haili Ripley. “Shiloh Pritchard, one of our JV coaches, contacted the Aiga Foundation and Hawaiian Airlines. The results have actually equipped two programs; the LHS JV football program and the American Youth Football of Samoa (AYFS).”

American Youth Football of Samoa was equally grateful and excited to receive equipment that will help launch their new program.

Pritchard went on to explain, that the new program for youth (11-14 year-olds) is a feeder development program which starts in January.

Officers are: Shiloh Pritchard (President), Ethan Lake (Vice President), Andrew Autele (Secretary), Victor Avalos (Treasurer) and Junior Poasa (Coordinator).

Six teams from the following districts have already registered: The Saints (Amaluia — Fagamalo), the Raiders (Leone — Pavai’a’i), Steelers (Faleniu, Vaitogi to Nu’uuli), Chargers (Faleniu/Vaitogi — Nu’uuli), Cardinals (eastside) and 49ers (eastside).

“Safety and protection are priority for all sports programs.” Ripley stated. “The helmets and shoulder pads sent will surely benefit both programs. We again thank Aiga Foundation and Hawaiian Airlines for their community spirit. We want to send a huge fa’afetai tele to Ms. Daisy Taulua, Mrs. Alofagia Nomura and Mrs. Letuli for their support in the shipping process.”