L.A. Daily News All-Area Football Team

First Team
Francis Owusu, all-purpose, Oaks Christian, Sr. - The numbers speak for themselves: 14 total TDs, 52 catches for 915 yards, 206 yards rushing including a 90-yard TD and two INTs with a 95-yard TD. 

LeRoy Tanoai, OL, Notre Dame, Sr. - The 6-4, 315-pound also played nose guard, and he was an immovable force on both sides of the football.  

Second Team
Koa Farmer, DB, Notre Dame, Jr. 

Honorable Mention
Tua Tuivai, DL, Highland, Sr.

DAILY BREEZE 2012 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR: Narbonne's Paulo Lepua

Forget a lunch pail. Narbonne defensive end Paulo Lepua brings his lunch in a sack.
Lepua was the sultan of sacks, leading an aggressive and lockdown defense that helped Narbonne reach new heights.
Overall, Lepua recorded 26 sacks, earning the 2012 Daily Breeze Defensive Player of the Year award. | VIDEO
That does not include the sack on a rainy field at the North-South All-Star game in Visalia or the three-sack effort in the Semper Fi All-American Bowl at Home Depot Center.
"To get 26 sacks against who we played - that's impressive," Narbonne coach Manuel Douglas said. "He has an ability to take a game over. He's just so disruptive."
It used to be that Lepua was disruptive - off the field.
Lepua has a goofball sense of humor and likes to keep it light. But Douglas said it was a distraction in the past. This year, Lepua was all business. And it showed.
"This is the year he grew up," Douglas said.
Lepua, a Washington State recruit, credited line coach Eddie Davis for setting him on the righteous path.
"It started with Coach Pooty," Lepua said. "Sophomore year, he was always in my face, and now I know he was trying to help me. My junior year, I did well. Then senior year, it was time to pay back all the time he put in with me."
Lepua's maturity came full circle in the week leading up to the Serra showdown.
Narbonne was doing its "Fuji Runs" where the No. 1 offensive player takes on the No. 1 defensive player, and so on.
Lepua had finally had enough.
"He called out the entire defense," Douglas said. "He even called out Keishawn (Bierria) and Redd (Marquis Lomax). I didn't have to do anything. For him to step up on his own, that was huge."
Lepua enjoyed a banner game against Banning. After a rough first quarter, Lepua recorded six sacks - all in the second quarter. Douglas took the starters out of the game at halftime.
Lepua also looks back fondly on the San Pedro game because he was given a chance to score his only high school touchdown.
And of course there was the 14-0 run to the CIF State Regional bowl.
"We all just bonded this season," Lepua said. "We saw each other as brothers, not just as teammates."

MaxPreps 2012 Sophomore All-American Football Team

Second Team
TE – Benning Potoa'e, DL, 6-3, 290, Lakes (Lakewood, Wash.)
A versatile athlete, Potoa'e recorded 43 tackles and five sacks to go along with eight catches for 163 yards and a touchdown on offense.


OL – Patrick Vahe, OL, 6-3, 273, Trinity (Euless, Texas)
Vahe was a second team All-District pick in 6-5A and fit in perfectly on Trinity's physical, aggressive offensive line.

DL – Canton Kaumatule, DL, 6-8, 250, Punahou (Honolulu)
As a sophomore, Kaumatule already has a reputation as one of the top players in Hawaii.

LB – T.J. Fehoko, LB, 6-1, 215, Cottonwood (Salt Lake City)
Fehoko compiled 13.5 sacks to go along with 30 tackles and a forced fumble.

Kansas City Star All Metro

First Team

LB Mamu Tauiautusa, Fort Osage, senior. The Indians shut out half the teams they played while finishing as the Missouri Class 5 runner-up, and Tauiautusa (5-11, 190) was at the center of it all. He tied for the team lead with 107 tackles and added five sacks while playing middle linebacker.

DB Joseph Tuimaseve, Fort Osage, senior. A playmaker in the Fort Osage secondary, Tuimaseve (5-11, 165) took part in forcing five turnovers. He tied for the team lead with 107 tackles and was a run-stopping safety for the Indians, who allowed only 8.1 points per game and recorded seven shutouts.

Honorable Mention
DB Samson Sia, Fort Osage, senior

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/29/3986056/the-stars-all-metro-football-team.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/29/3986056/the-stars-all-metro-football-team.html#storylink=cpy

Lee Central Coast Newspapers All Area: Ainu'u Taua Def POY

Lompoc’s standout defensive lineman Ainuu Taua, a junior, has been chosen as the All-Area Defensive Player of the Year.
Taua was an unstoppable force on the defensive line, recording seven sacks and a total of 49 tackles even though he had to fight through double and triple teams on almost every snap. Taua, listed at 6-foot-1, 285 pounds, proved his versatility and athleticism in a number of ways. Taua rushed for one touchdown, caught three more TDs out of the tight end position and even intercepted a pass and returned that for another score.
Cross said Taua can play linebacker, drop back in coverage and play all over the defensive line, at either tackle or nose guard.
“He’s a scary individual — I’m glad he’s on our team,” Cross said.
Taua, who’s already taken an official visit to UCLA, presents a carefree, non-chalant attitude. But Cross said there’s a whole lot more to Taua than meets the eye.
“He puts in the work, people don’t know it, he acts like he doesn’t, but he puts in a lot of time watching film and in the weight room,” Cross said. “He comes from a football family and he’s very football smart.”
Cross coached Ainuu’s older brother Vai Taua at Cabrillo. Taua went on to star at the University of Nevada, Reno and nearly made the Seahawks’ 53-man roster before suffering a knee injury in the final preseason game this year.
Ainuu Taua said he fought through a continuous stinger in his neck in the latter part of the season. Unlike Hayes and Arellano, Taua has a year left to take care of some unfinished business. Lompoc rolled through the regular season before it lost to eventual CIF State Champion Gardena Serra in the Western semis. The Cavaliers snapped Lompoc’s 32-game win streak.
“I didn’t finish (the season) how I wanted to, I got a little hurt at the end of the season, but I was all right with what happened,” Taua said. “It definitely hurt, what happened at the end.”

San Antonio Defensive Player of the Year: Grant Watanabe of Brennan

Brennan, linebacker
Size: 5-11, 216
Grade: Junior
Best performances: Had two interceptions, a sack and 11 total tackles in a 24-0 victory over East Central. ... Had 13 tackles and a fumble recovery in a 31-28 victory against Cedar Park Vista Ridge in the second round. ... Recorded 19 total tackles in 43 plays in a victory against Lanier.
Notable: Unanimous All-District 28-4A. ... Led Brennan with 167 tackles, including 29 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions. ... The Bears reached the state quarterfinals in a 13-1 season with a defense that allowed 12.2 points per game, 204 yards per game and had four shutouts.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_football/article/Defensive-Player-of-the-Year-Brennan-linebacker-4146224.php#ixzz2H5YTnirT

2012 SF Chronicle All-Metro Football Team

First Team

RB

Pepe Vitale

De La Salle

6-0

190

Sr.

Had a school-record 2,102 yards and 33 TDs

DL

Vita Vea

Milpitas

6-4

280

Sr.

SCVAL-De Anza defensive MVP

Second Team

LB

Fono Misi

Rancho Cotate

5-11

235

Sr.

153 tackles for a four-shutout team

Honorable Mention
QB Zach Masoli Riordan Jr
QB Dante Mayes Freedom Sr
RB Fisi Tavake Northgate Sr
WR Amalani Fukofuka Logan Sr
OL/DL Anthony Amerperosa South San Francisco Sr
OL/DL Mane Fale Mission Sr
OL/DL Terrance Leota San Leandro Sr
OL/DL Motekiai Maile Pittsburg Sr
OL/DL Hufangahau Moala Tennyson Sr
OL/DL Young Potasi Lincoln Sr
OL/DL John Tai Newark Memorial Sr
LB Sione Finefeuiki Wilcox Jr
LB Uaisele Manoa Concord Sr
LB Fia Malepeai Serra Sr
LB Peter Tuipulot Serra Sr
DB Keoni Keahi Burlingame Jr




Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/preps/article/2012-Chronicle-All-Metro-Teams-4150642.php#ixzz2GQNcpnXX

Daily Republic All Region

DB — Jacob Te’o, Vacaville: The senior had 87 total tackles, 69 solo, and 7.3 tackles per game, all team highs. He also had a sack, an interception, three forced fumbles and three recoveries.

All Tulare County

Chris Misaalefua

School: Lindsay
Position: Offensive Line
Class: Junior
Highlights: It looks like Lindsay could be the spot for one of Tulare County’s top college football recruits for the Class of 2014 with Misaalefua. The prototypical tackle was a primary reason why the Cardinals averaged over 174 yards rushing per game. He was named the East Sequoia League lineman of the year.
Comments: “I think Chris definitely stepped up this year. He did a great job playing both ways. As the year went on, he kept getting better. He’s definitely an impact player. If he gets a little bit stronger, I see him playing on Saturdays.” — Lindsay coach Jesse Lira.

ALL-VALLEY FOOTBALL: Cravens, Morrow in a class by themselves

Seniors from Vista Murrieta, Heritage are Offensive, Defensive players of the year

Vista Murrieta’s Su’a Cravens and Heritage’s Jamal Morrow were marked targets entering their senior seasons on the high school gridiron.
As juniors, the two garnered an esteemed reputation around the Valley by virtue of their highlight-reel-quality touchdowns, multiple postseason accolades and gaudy statistical lines.
Not only did Morrow and Cravens deal with being the focal point of their opponents’ game plans in 2012, but they were also playing with the added scrutiny of having verbal commitments to Pac-12 schools.
Neither player skipped a beat. Now they are in a class by themselves.
Morrow is a repeat recipient of The Californian’s All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year after compiling 2,092 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
Cravens, too, is a repeat honoree as he earned Defensive Player of the Year for his game-changing play as Broncos safety.
Since splitting into an offensive and defensive award in 1998, there has never been a repeat winner of either honor, which is voted on by local coaches and sportswriters.
Cravens, a blue-chip prospect, was highly sought-after on the college recruiting scene between his junior and senior seasons.
Cravens, the No. 5 overall senior prospect in the nation according to rivals.com, verbally committed to USC last June. The national attention made him a target of crazed college football fans on social networking sites.
“I have had people try to attack me on Facebook saying I was the worst player,” Cravens said. “I was a disgrace to mankind. I have had people on Twitter saying I (wasn’t good) because I didn’t commit here and there.”
Nothing could faze Cravens as he helped the Broncos achieve a 13-1 record and reach the CIF Southern Section Inland Division title game for the fourth straight season.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior excelled in a handful of different roles.
Cravens scored 18 touchdowns, which included six rushing scores, eight receiving TDs, two interception returns, a blocked punt returned for a TD and a punt return.
“He’s the type of kid who can play multiple positions because he is very, very football smart and savvy,” Broncos defensive backs coach Howie Nelson said. “If you put him at quarterback, I think he could do just fine there, too.”
Cravens was a handful for opposing defenses whenever the Broncos inserted him on offense, overpowering cornerbacks on the outside with his size and showing elusiveness while running in the open field as a tailback. But his full-time role was playing safety on a stingy defense that allowed an average of just 11.2 points per game.
Cravens recorded 96 total tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered and three blocked punts.
His play was universally recognized, too, as Gatorade named him the California player of the year and USA Today honored him with its national defensive player of the year award.
Cravens was also selected to participate in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio on Jan. 5. He may not play, though, because of a shoulder injury.
Now Cravens is preparing for living on his own even though he just turned a ripe 17 years old. Cravens graduated from Vista Murrieta last Friday and has enrolled at USC, where he begins classes Jan. 14.
“One thing with Su’a, he had a plan,” Broncos coach Coley Candaele said. “This was in his plan from probably when he was 8 years old. He had this mapped out. He was going to 3½ years (at high school) and go to ’SC.”
Cravens plans to major in business management with a possible minor in communications. Although he is often tagged with the safety label, it’s anyone’s guess how the Trojans will utilize the jack-of-all-trades.
“It’s my new life, my new beginning,” Cravens said. “I am just going there to work, not going in there to step on anybody’s toes or saying I am going to do this and that. If you talk, you just put more pressure on yourself. I am just going in there, learn from the older guys and hopefully they take me under their wing, get me in the flow of things.”

 

 

Californian All Valley 2012 Football Team

First Team
SU’A CRAVENS
Vista Murrieta
S, Senior, 6-1, 205
Had 97 total tackles, three blocked punts and three interceptions. Also had 14 touchdowns on offense and averaged more than 10 yards every time he touched the ball (reception or carry).

MARVIN HIFO
Heritage
LB, Senior, 5-10, 190
Had 58 solo tackles and earned Sunbelt League Defensive POY honors.

SIONE TAKITAKI
Heritage
LB, Junior, 6-3, 240
Had 12 total sacks and ran four times for more than 100 yards as RB.

Second Team
DL Junior Tau Sr. Chaparral 

Third Team

Ventura County Star 2012 All Star Football Team

First Team

WR Francis Owusu Oaks Christian Sr
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound was among the region's top playmaking targets, coupling sprinter's speed with the ability to catch the ball in traffic. The Marmonte League Receiver of the Year caught 52 passes for 915 yards and 11 TDs as a senior. He had 11 receptions for 168 yards and three TDs, plus a 95-yard interception return for a TD, in 35-17 win over Venice. He only had seven carries, but two were 90- and 88-yard TD runs in 55-7 win over Moorpark. The consensus four-star recruit has committed to Stanford.

Second Team
DL Hosea Faagogo Channel Islands Sr

Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/photos/galleries/2012/dec/22/ventura-county-star-first-team-all-offense/57870/#section_header#ixzz2FwV4AlRg
- vcstar.com

Monterey Herald 2012 All County Football Team

LB Shaunne Katoa, Monterey:
A three-time member of The Herald's All-County team, the hard-hitting linebacker shut down opponents trying to run to the inside or outside with his tenacious pursuit. Katoa led the team in tackles for the second straight year, compiling a half dozen sacks and nearly 20 tackles for losses. He also had two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown and forced three fumbles.

OL David Maposua, Seaside:
A starter on the line on both sides of the ball, the 285-pound Maposua became the cornerstone of the offensive line in the second half. He was athletic enough to get downfield to throw blocks for receivers. 


LB Samson Tonga, Seaside:
The co-Pacific Division Defensive Player of the Year, Tonga averaged 11 tackles a game for the league-champion Spartans. The senior had a nonstop motor on defense. Tonga made plays in crucial moments — recovering two fumbles while forcing three.
DL Jonathan Tuiolosega, Seaside:
A quiet leader, the 285-pound senior was a big reason the Spartans allowed just 62 points in 10 regular-season games. Simply put, you couldn't move Tuiolosega, a heavyweight all-state wrestler. The senior stuffed the run, averaging nearly eight tackles a game. He also rushed for two touchdowns. 

Cravens receives USA Today’s top defensive award

Adding to his growing list of honors, Vista Murrieta defensive back Su’a Cravens has been named the All-USA Football Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today. Corona Centennial offensive lineman Cameron Hunt is a second-team selection on the All-USA Team announced Thursday, Dec. 20.

Cravens was also announced Thursday as one of six finalists for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Defensive Player of the Year award, to be announced Jan.4 in San Antonio. Cravens will play in the All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio the next day.

Cravens, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior who has committed to play at USC, was a two-way impact player during the Bronco's 13-1 season. He had 97 tackles, 47 solo, with four interceptions, eight sacks and three blocked punts. On offense, he rushed for six touchdowns and had eight scoring receptions.
“I think it’s all his high school experience coming in, wrapping into one,” said Vista Murrieta coach Coley Candaele. “His overall play on offense, defense and special teams affected our success, our ability to take the football program to another level.”


Cravens was previously announced as a nominee for the U.S. Army Player of the Year award, also awarded by the All-American Bowl. And on Wednesday, he became one of the eight finalists for CalHiSports.com’s Mr. Football Award, for the best player in California. Corona Centennial quarterback Robert Webber is also a finalist for that award.

2012 Palo Alto All Daily News Football Team

First Team
OL Isaiah Lauti (Serra, Sr.) Center anchored Padres' line
LB Peter Tuipulotu (Serra, Sr.) 70 solo tackles
LB Fia Malepeai (Serra, Sr.) 56 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks
P Tevita Takitaki (Carlmont, Jr.) Big-footed Scot, estimated 46.0 yard per punt

Second Team
OL Kiola Mahoni (Woodside, Sr.)

Link

American Family Insurance ALL-USA Team

Su'a Cravens** | DB | 6-1, 205 | Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) | Southern California
Had 97 tackles (47 solo), four interceptions (three for touchdowns), eight sacks, and three blocked punts (two for touchdowns). Playing offense part-time, ran for six touchdowns and had 26 catches for eight touchdowns.

LA Times' high school football All-Star team

First Team
Receiver: John Smith, Long Beach Poly, 6-0, 170, Jr. The postseason brought out the best in Smith, who helped propel the Jackrabbits to the Pac-5 Division championship. He caught nine touchdown passes and had six interceptions.

Defensive Line: Ainuu Taua, Lompoc, 6-1, 285, Jr. Using strength, size and agility, Taua was an imposing figure in the middle for the 12-1 Braves while stamping himself as a top recruit for 2014. He had seven sacks.

Defensive Line: Paulo Lepua, Narbonne, 6-3, 255, Sr. The City Section defensive lineman of the year was dominant, recording 26 sacks. He had 40 sacks in two seasons.

Defensive Back: Su'a Cravens, Vista Murrieta, 6-1, 205, Sr. The USC-bound Cravens averaged nearly eight tackles per game at safety. He had five sacks, three interceptions and blocked two punts.

2012 All Orange County Team

First Team
JEREMIAH FROST
Edison
Offensive line
6-1, 340. Sr.
Edison had one of the biggest and most physical offensive lines in Southern California, and Frost was right there leading the charge. Frost's blocking helped the Chargers grind out drives and wear down teams during a run to the CIF-SS Southwest Division championship. The Sunset League coaches voted him the league's co-offensive lineman of the year.

MEKI TAFUNA
Villa Park
All-purpose
6-0, 220, Sr.
Tafuna played with passion, drive and willed his team to victory at times, including on the winning drive in Villa Park's 35-34 victory over Tustin in the CIF-SS Southwest Division semifinals. Tafuna was the Century League's player of the year after leading the Spartans to a league title. Tafuna contributed at running back and linebacker. He was among the county leaders with 1,429 yards and 28 TDs on 261 carries and he delivered ferocious hits on defense.

NATE TAGO
Tesoro
Running back
6-0, 210, Sr.
When the Titans needed to keep a drive going in crunch time, they turned to Tago and let him hammer away at an opponent. Tago proved he could get those tough yards inside the tackles and he could use his speed to break big runs. Tago, who was a first-team All-South Coast League selection, rushed for over 100 yards in 10 of 11 games, he had three games over 200 yards, including a 320-yard, four-TD effort against El Toro. He finished with 1,784 yards and 20 TDs on 248 carries.

Second Team
DL – David Maka, Tustin, Sr.

Third Team
RB – Tala Teaupa, Newport Harbor, Sr.

Link

Daily Herald All Valley

Elite 11

Pita Taumoepenu, 6-2 215 Sr. DL, Timpview (80 tackles and state-best 25 sacks)

All Valley Team
DL Levi Fiso, 6-4 310 Sr., Lone Peak
DL Riley Schwenke, 5-11 210 Sr., Timpanogos (43 t 11 sacks)

Link

All Arizona Football Team

First Team All Arizona

DL

R.J. Tui

Desert Edge

6-1

295

Senior

Division I
Second Team

DL

Kelepi Fifita

Central

6-1

275

Junior

Honorable Mention

DL

August Aiono

Gilbert

Senior

Division II
First Team

OL

Jon Sekona

Apollo

6-4

307

Junior

Division III
First Team

DL

R.J. Tui

Desert Edge

6-1

295

Senior

DL

Fa'asauga Tinoisamoa

Dysart

6-3

240

Senior

Honorable Mention

OL

Tevita Matu

Shadow Ridge

Junior

Link