Provo Daily Herald Elite 11, All-Valley Football Team

Timpview (Provo) junior defensive end Bronson Kaufusi has been selected Defensive MVP by the Daily Herald. Kaufusi's coach, Louis Wong was named 4A Coach of the Year. Timpview's Xavier Su'a-Filo and Mountain View's (Orem) Anthony Heimuli were named to the Elite 11 Team.

DEFENSIVE MVP: BRONSON KAUFUSI, Junior Defensive End, Timpview
He led Timpview in defensive points in the team's scoring system and was often the attention of double-teams. He had 33 unassisted tackles and 23 assisted tackles. He also led the team with nine sacks.

4A COACH OF THE YEAR: LOUIS WONG, Timpview
Coached the T'Birds to a 13-0 record and their third straight 4A state title. Under Wong, Timpview now has the longest winning streak in the state, a 35 straight games, a state record.

ELITE 11
XAVIER SU'A-FILO, Senior Offensive Line, Timpview
He has been a dominant force on the offensive line and has emerged one of the top Division I prospects in the country. He was forced into action on defense in the state title game and blocked a punt that set up a Timpview touchdown that proved to be a pivotal play in Timpview's 4A title win.

ANTHONY HEIMULI, Senior Running Back, Mountain View
He rushed for 1,234 yards on 139 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. He also had eight catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. He had six games with over 100 yards and three games where he rushed over 200 yards. On defense, he had 40 tackles and six sacks.

ALL-VALLEY TEAM
RB: JoJo Pili, Sr., Timpanogos RB: Levi Te'o, Sr., Timpview
OL: Sam Katoa, Sr., American Fork
DL: Likio Pope, Jr., Provo

Honorable Mention:
Mountain View: TJ Mounga
Orem: Alihi Faalafua
Pleasant Grove: Sefa Tanoai, Armond Naoupu, Sebastian Naoupu
Salem Hills: Kolapa Wolfgramm
Spanish Fork: Tevita Vaitohi, Uili Makai
Timpview: Ofa Latu

Alaska Preseason All State Football Team

Alaska Preps.com has selected a handful of Polynesians to it's preseason All State Football Team (4A).

First Team selections include running back Silver Ma'ake (5'11, 220, Jr), offensive tackle Lawrence Fenumiai (6'4, 250, Jr), and defensive back Lincoln Maka (5'9, 165 Sr) of Juneau-Douglas. Ma'ake and Maka were first team all state selections in 2007. Anu Poleo (6'0, 280, Sr) of East Anchorage was selected first team guard and defensive tackle. Poleo was also a first team all state selection at both positions as a junior. Service (Anchorage) linebacker Leo Aukusitino (5'10, 200, Sr) and guard Brown Fa'aaliga (5'11, 210, Sr) were selected as well as West Anchorage defensive end Josh Kaiwi (6'3, 220, Sr ). Aukusitino was a first team all selection at linebacker as a junior and Kaiwi was a second team selection at tight end.

Press Enterprise All Area-Riverside

Richard Helepiko, Hamani Stevens, and Sol Sagiao have been named to the Press Enterprise's 2007 All Area Riverside Football Team. Riverside King runningback Jacey Naea was selected to the second team.

Richard Helepiko
Moreno Valley
Offensive Line
6-4, 290, Sr.

WHAT HE DID: Anchored the line for an offense that averaged 27.7 points and 363 yards ... Blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,300-yard passer ... Chosen first-team All-Inland Valley League ... Has said he will attend Fresno State.

WHAT THEY SAY: "His athleticism is fantastic, and he really moves well when he pulls across the line. This kid really knows how to get to a spot and create a hole for his backs to run through." -- Valley View coach Jack Fogarty

Sol Sagiao
Temecula Chaparral
Offensive Line
6-1, 315, Sr.

WHAT HE DID: Anchored the line for an offense that averaged 328 yards and 21.2 points per game ... Blocked for a 1,200-yard rusher and 1,600-yard passer ... Chosen first-team All-Southwestern League ... Receiving interest from some Division I colleges.

WHAT THEY SAY: "I think all of us would have loved to have had someone like him at center. I mean, just think of how many times they ran quarterback sneaks right behind him to get first downs." -- Great Oak coach Scott Strosnider

Hamani Stevens
Hemet
Defensive Line
6-4, 290, Sr.

WHAT HE DID: Led the team with 94 tackles and six sacks and 19 quarterback hurries ... Anchored the line for an offense that averaged 270 yards per game ... Rated the top collegiate center prospect by Rivals.com ... Chosen the Sunbelt League's MVP.

WHAT THEY SAY: "He's a big, strong kid and an absolute load to handle. He comes from a long line of Stevenses and probably felt pressure to live up to that tradition. He was able to do that." -- Paloma Valley coach Bert Esposito

Polynesian Collegiate Football Wrap Up-Thanksgiving Weekend (No Pac-10, WAC, MWC)

Kansas State finished their season 5-7 and bowl ineligible following a 45-29 loss at Fresno State. Junior College transfers Alesana Alesana (CCSF/Samoa) and Ben Liu (Sacramento CC/Burbank HS, Sacramento, CA) started all season at left and right tackle respectively. The Wildcats will return 4 starters on the offensive line next season and eight total starters on offense as a whole. Moses Manu (El Camino CC/Morningside, Inglewood, CA) finished the season with 34 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss from the defensive end position.

Butkus Award finalist Jordan Dizon (Waimea HS, Kaua’i, HI) led Colorado with 18 total tackles, 14 of which were solo in the 65-51 win over Nebraska. Baldwin High’s Kealakai Maiava (Wailuku, Maui, HI) started at left guard as a true freshman. In addition, freshman linebacker Nate Vaiomounga (Corona HS, CA) had 3 tackles in the win.

Nebraska true freshman running back Roy Helu of San Ramon Valley (Danville, CA) played in 7 games this season and finished with 209 yards on 49 carries. Helu will await athletic director Dr Tom Osborne’s decision on who will be the next coach at Lincoln. If the Cornhuskers return to a run oriented coach Helu may have more opportunities next season to run the ball.

Michael Ho’omanawanui (Central Catholic, Bloomington, IL) finished the regular season with 5 receptions and 2 touchdowns at starting tight end. Ho’omanawanui and his Illinois teammates will wait to see what post-season bowl they play.

Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (Kapolei HS, HI) leads Navy at option quarterback into their annual game versus Army in Baltimore. Kaheaku-Enhada leads in both rushing and passing. For the season he has 755 yards rushing and 11 TDs while passing for 823 yards and 6 TDs. Blockers for the Navy quarterback include starting right guard Ben Gabbard (Broadneck HS, Arnold, MD) and backup center Reyn Kaupiko (Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama, Honolulu, HI). Navy is bowl eligible and will play in a post-season game. The Army-Navy game will for the first time in the 108 years will have Samoan coaches on both sides of the ball—Navy Assistant Head Coach Kenny Niumatalolo and Army Offensive Line Coach Saga Tuitele. American Samoa will also be represented by Tafuna High and Army defensive end David Kava and South Pacific Academy and Navy nose guard Penetekoso Peau.

UTEP finished the season at 4-8 and 2-6 in conference. Defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe
will return starting defensive end Ja-Boy Leomiti (Fullerton CC/Boulder HS, CO) and backup defensive end Brandis Dew (Hemet HS, CA). Nu’uese Punimata (Mt SAC/Samoana HS, Pago Pago, AS) returns at linebacker and will contend for a starting position.

Defensive tackle JT Mapu (Kahuku HS, HI) and Tennessee head into the SEC Championship game versus LSU. For the season Mapu has 20 tackles and 1 sack.

Iowa starting tight end Tony Moeaki’s (Warrenville South, Wheaton, IL) season ended early due to medical reasons. In 4 games he had 14 receptions and 3 touchdowns. Moeaki was a preseason John Mackey Watch List, awarded to the nation’s top tight end. He will apply for a medical redshirt and have 2 seasons to play.

Louis Murphy (Lakewood HS, St. Petersburg, FL) caught two touchdowns for 32 and 14 yards from Heisman Trophy Candidate Tim Tebow in Florida’s rout of Florida State 45-12. The junior wide receiver finished the game with 4 receptions for 58 yards. For the season 36 receptions for 544 yards and 5 TDs.

Brendan Pahulu (Trinity HS, Euless, TX) and his Houston teammates finished the season 8-4 and will play in the Texas Bowl against an unnamed opponent. Starting at outside linebacker, Pahulu has 41 tackles for the season, with 10 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions.

Alabama-Birmingham starting linebacker Jacob Tauanu’u (Helix HS, San Diego, CA) finished his first season with 48 sacks, 30 of which were solo. The Grossmont JC (CA) transfer will have 2 more seasons to play at UAB.

Duke linebacker Michael Tau’ili’ili (Taylor HS, Houston, TX) had 7 tackles in a 20-14 overtime loss to arch rival North Carolina. Tau’ili’ili was second on the team with 108 tackles, including 53 solo, and also had 12 tackles for loss including 4 sacks. He was also tied for the team lead with 3 interceptions. Tau’ili’ili will likely be named to the ACC post season team after finishing fourth in the conference in tackles per game with 9.8.

Sophomore right guard Nedward Tavale (Cretin-Derham Hall, St Paul, MN) of Minnesota will return for his junior year with the Gophers. Junior college transfer Logan U’u (Laney College/Skyline, Oakland, CA) will also have two seasons to play after sitting out this past season due to injury.

Texas A&M linebacker Misi Tupe (Dixie State/Bonneville HS, Ogden, UT) had 5 tackles in A&M’s 38-30 upset win over Texas. Tupe is second on the team with 89 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.

Hidden gems: Euless Trinity's Mao Leota

11:24 PM CST on Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Mao Leota

EULESS TRINITY DEFENSIVE END

Playoff opener: Trinity (9-1) vs. Arlington Martin (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Birdville Fine Arts Complex

What to look for: Leota, a 6-1, 270-pound senior, is one of the leaders of a defense that has allowed more than 10 points only once this season. Leota will be in the backfield on most plays because his size and strength make him tough to block, and he'll sometimes pancake a running back who is trying to protect a quarterback setting up to pass. He also carries the ball occasionally as a fullback.

Leota says: "I still get butterflies in my stomach during that first playoff game, hearing the crowd and being out there with my teammates."

Coach Steve Lineweaver says: "He's just been around so long, he understands the game. He started as a sophomore during our state championship season, so he's had a lot of big games under his belt."

Matt Wixon