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Friday, August 30, 2013

Preseason FB: All-San Gabriel Valley

First Team
TE Tyler Luatua (La Mirada) 6-4, 230, Sr.
Our No. 1 TE prospect in the state he has been invited to play in the Under Armour All-American game at the end of the season. The elite TE has offers from all the big-time schools, including Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

OL Kammy Delp (Diamond Ranch, Pomona) 6-4, 305, Sr.
At the Laney College Nike camp back in May, Delp was outstanding in every drill and had that drive to get as many reps as possible in the 1-on-1 duels. He ended up being named Offensive Line MVP at the camp, which has given him a boost in all of the various prospect rankings.

OL Nofo Ti’i (La Mirada) 6-3, 305, Sr.
On a team loaded with D1 talent, he is one of several that have yet to decide on a school and will be a key part of opening up big holes for the running game along with fellow first-team honoree Michael Trani.

QB/RB Koa Haynes (Bishop Amat, La Puente) 6-2, 175, Sr.
He was pushed into playing a game or two as a sophomore but he shined last season after taking over for the graduated Rio Ruiz. Haynes passed for 2,413 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 300 yards and six scores. He was named at the 2012 Tribune All-Area Offensive Player of the Year.

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Thursday, August 29, 2013

Sacramento area preps players to watch

Top Linemen
• Nifae Lealao, Capital Christian, 6-5, 285: Quick on his feet, the strong defensive end has the sort of grades that has Stanford blowing up his phone.
• Ngalu Tapa, Burbank, 6-3, 295: A defensive tackle with size and strength, Tapa aims to improve on the 23 1/2 sacks he recorded in 2012 despite double teams.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/29/5689910/preps-players-to-watch.html#storylink=cpy
 
 

UT Preps: Week 1: Five players to watch

NOAH TAELE
El Camino
Sr. | OL-DL | 6-0, 300
Storyline: El Camino coach Pulu Poumele, an All-San Diego Section offensive lineman at Oceanside who went on to play at Arizona and for the Browns, Ravens and Chargers in the NFL, calls Taele “the best guard in the county.” Despite his massive size, Taele — a three-year varsity starter — has the ability to pull from his left guard slot, leading sweeps and hammering defensive backs on screens. Taele hasn’t played defense since his freshman year, but he’ll go both ways this season, playing on the defensive line. “This is my senior season, and I asked the coaches if I could be on the field as much as possible,” Taele said. “We have a new offense. And I think we have a chance to move the ball. I want to help get the ball back to the offense.”
Key stat: The Wildcats went 7-5 last season and scored 312 points, topping 30 six times. Fullback Justin Williams had an all-section year running behind Taele, who was honored as a first-team all-league selection. El Camino, which has seven home games this season, including the first four, opens the season hosting Granite Hills.
Quotable: “The backs get the credit on the field for the yards they gain, and I’m OK with that,” Taele said. “The linemen get credit in the film room, in front of the team, and that’s fine with me.”

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Preseason FB: All-Northern Section

Second Team
OL/DL Johnny Kealiinohomoku (Shasta, Redding) 6-4, 250, Sr.

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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

LA Daily News: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Top players by position

Running Back
6. Okalani Langi, Alemany, Jr.

Offensive Linemen
9. Sione Taufahema, Alemany, Sr.

Defensive Linemen
5. Tyrone Fa’anono, Oaks Christian, Sr.

7. Alex Manu, Birmingham, Sr.
10. Charlie Koka, Birmingham, Sr. 

Defensive Back
4. Koa Farmer, Notre Dame, Sr.

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DAILY NEWS PRESEASON ALL-AREA FOOTBALL TEAM

DL – Vaimoe Sekona, Crespi, Jr.: Already has an early offer from Hawaii. A 6-3, 280-pound four-star recruit, Sekona should get better and better, according to coach Troy Thomas.

DB – Koa Farmer, Notre Dame, Sr.: Also a productive receiver with 28 catches, Farmer, an All-Serra League returnee, has commited to Cal over UCLA and Utah.

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East Bay high school football preview: 25 players to watch


DL Mahe Fifta          California          Sr.          6-6/290
Monstrous force on Grizzlies' robust D-line


RB/LB Dasmond Tautalatasi           De La Salle          Sr.          6-0/190
Top back may be just as valuable to a young defense

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Preseason FB: All-East Bay

First Team
LB Noah Palega (Pittsburg) 5-8, 190, Jr.
The All State Sophomore selection has a nose for the football and proved it last season after finishing second on the team with 60 tackles.

WR/DB Atu Ohuafi (Kennedy, Fremont) 6-4, 175, Sr.
This two-way player was one of the best in the Mission Valley Athletic League. As a wideout, he had 31 catches for 771 yards and nine TDs, statistically second best among NCS 11-man team wide receivers. Because of his speed and size, he plays strong safety on defense.

RB/DB Dasmond Tuatalatasi (De La Salle, Concord) 6-1, 190, Sr.
In order to get one position player and very deserving Harris Ross of Pittsburg on the first team at running back, we put Das on as multi-purpose despite his 1,034 yards (six TDs) in 15 games being 123 yards greater than Ross’s yards rushing in nine games. As a defensive back, Das had 40 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

 Second Team
OL/DL Boss Tagaloa (De La Salle, Concord) 6-2, 286, So.

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LA Times: High school offensive linemen to watch

Toa Lobendahn; La Habra; 6-5; 285; Sr.; USC commit has size and strength

Kammy Delp; Diamond Ranch; 6-5; 305; Sr.; Has more than 10 offers

Damien Mama; St. John Bosco; 6-5; 345; Sr.; Massive, powerful blocking guard

Viane Talamaivao; Corona Centennial; 6-3; 300; Sr.; Alabama commit is finally healthy

Others
Sam Akoteu; Gardena Serra; 6-2; 285; Sr.; Powerful blocker for Cavaliers

Tico Fuga; Edison; 6-2; 300; Sr.; Committed to Brigham Young

Southland high school football standouts at tight end

Tyler Luatua; La Mirada; 6-4, 240; Sr.; A national recruit

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

East Ascension RB Sione Palelei commits to LSU

Taking the ball and running with it is an obvious forte for East Ascension High School running back Sione Palelei. So when the EAHS senior-to-be got a scholarship offer from LSU on the final day of the Tigers’ football camp, Palelei did what he normally does — he ran with it.
Palelei committed to the Tigers early Wednesday afternoon after meeting with LSU coach Les Miles and running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson.
“It’s a great feeling,” Palelei said. “(The LSU offer) was the offer I was waiting for. First, we (Palelei and his parents, Matthew and Ilaisaane) met with (Wilson) and then we went in to meet with coach Miles.
“This takes a lot of the pressure off. Now I feel like I can go out and enjoy my senior year.”
The Tigers are one of 14 schools who have offered Palelei. He is the 13th 2014 commitment for LSU. As a junior, the 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back tallied 828 rushing yards on 111 carries with 13 touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 283 yards and three TDs for the Spartans.
Palelei turned heads by running the 40-yard dash in less than 4.5 seconds at the LSU camp. Other schools that previously offered Palelei included Arkansas, Brigham Young, Utah, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Southern Mississippi and Washington State. Palelei is listed as Louisiana’s No. 27 prospect for 2013, according to rivals.com.
It briefly looked like two local players had committed to LSU in Palelei and Plaquemine High defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, who was offered a scholarship last month.
Some media outlets reported the 6-4, 265-pound Godchaux also had committed, but Godchaux refuted those reports. Godchaux also said he is set to leave Thursday for a West Coast trip that will give him the chance to visit USC and UCLA.
“No, I didn’t commit (Wednesday,” said Godchaux, who said he remains in communication with the LSU coaches. “As of now, I’m still planning to wait until Dec. 28 to commit. That could change, but as of now that’s the plan.”
East Ascension coach Paul Bourgeois said he was elated by the news of Palelei’s commitment. Former All-American lineman Glenn Dorsey, now of the San Francisco 49ers, was the last EAHS player to achieve star status at LSU.
“It couldn’t happen to a nicer young man,” Bourgeois said. “I think every kid who grows up in this area wants to go to LSU. He’s a guy who has worked hard every day and to see him get this kind of opportunity means a lot for him and certainly our program.”

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Rancho Cucamonga standout Unga comes from a long line of D1 players

Older brother Metuisela (Fresno State) played in the 2012 Polynesian All American Bowl.


RANCHO CUCAMONGA >> Chris Unga didn’t have a choice but to excel in football. He comes from a long line of brothers who have starred in the sport. Being the youngest means he took the brunt of the punishment growing up when the siblings would play football or wrestle around in the backyard. It has paid off.
Unga, a 6-foot, 265-pound senior defensive tackle. is expected to star for the Rancho Cucamonga Cougars who will be attempting to dethrone defending champion Upland for Baseline League supremacy. The Cougars open the regular season with a nonleague game on Friday at Redlands High School.
Like his brothers before him, Chris is drawing considerable interest from Division I schools.
“It was kind of a tough love thing. It was kind of exciting being the youngest,” Unga said, before an afternoon practice. “My brothers were tough on me but it got me to the stage I am at today. They toughened me up.”
Not only have Unga’s brothers excelled, they have done so at the highest collegiate level. Oldest brother Paul, currently an assistant football coach at Chaffey College, played at Mt. SAC and went on to Arizona State. Then there are twins Feti and Uani who are at Oregon State and Brigham Young respectively, And there’s Tui at Fresno State.
Joe, a 6-foot-8, 320-pound tackle, played at Division II Midwestern State and is in training camp with the Baltimore Ravens.

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Diamond Ranch’s Kammy Delp lining up his future

Posted: |

POMONA >> Roddy Layton fondly recalls his conversation with Charles Brown.
The Diamond Ranch High School football coach advised one of his prized prospects not to base his college decision on who was promising him he could play tight end instead of offensive line. Nine years later Brown has won the New Orleans Saints starting left tackle job in training camp. It’s probably safe to say he’s playing the right position.
Kammy Delp, a senior this season at Diamond Ranch, has accepted his role in similar fashion. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman will play on both sides of the ball, but has submitted to the fact that offensive line is his future.

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Monday, August 26, 2013

Manase Palu sets sights on breaking Burlingame's single-season rushing record



Note: Older brother Benji played in 2013 Polynesian All American Bowl and is

Manase Palu has his eyes on a record — a big record.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior running back wants to break Burlingame High School's single-season rushing record of 2,798 yards set by Onan Reyes in 1997.
"It's always been a dream of mine to go down in history at a school," said Palu, who rushed for 998 yards on 120 carries for a hefty 8.3 yards per carry average last year in a breakout junior campaign. "No matter what happens, I'm going to do my best."

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CAL-HI SPORTS MR. FOOTBALL STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESEASON 2013 TOP 10 TRACKER

2. John “JuJu” Smith (Long Beach Poly, Long Beach) WR/KR/DB Sr.
With 49 catches for 752 yards and nine touchdowns on offense plus six interceptions on defense and some other eye-opening plays on special teams, Smith fits right in with some of the top players that Poly has ever had. To top the race for Mr. Football, he’ll likely need to shine from the first week on and Poly also may need to win or at least get to the final of the loaded CIFSS Pac-5 Division.

5. Damien Mama (St. John Bosco, Bellflower) OL Sr.
Dominating lineman have won Mr. Football before and there’s a scenario that could vault the massive 370-pound Mama that high. As managing editor Ronnie Flores points out, “How about if Bosco goes 16-0 and he dominates the open game and is clearly the best player on the team?” Damien could be that good and he definitely will be the one player on the field that may be most noticeable in just about every game the Braves will play.

9. Das Tautalatasi (De La Salle, Concord) RB/DB Sr.
Since the Spartans have won four straight CIF Open Division titles and have had a strong candidate for Mr. Football in each of those seasons (including 2012 winner Michael Hutchings), it looks like Tautalatasi could be that player coming up. He’ll likely be the No. 1 running back on offense where he’ll score a lot of touchdowns, but he also figures to be a feature player in the secondary as a safety. He’s the type of player who could score three times and come up with two picks in a CIF Open Division final and that type of outing could go far in determining post-season honors.

Other possible Mr. Football candidates
Ainuu Taua (Lompoc): The state’s No. 1 defensive lineman according to our own top 25 position rankings, Taua was sensational at The Opening in July. Also one of the top interior tackles in the nation.

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LA Times Receivers to Watch

John Smith; LB Poly; 6-2; 195; Sr.; One of most versatile players in SoCal.

Neil Pau'u; Servite; 6-4; 190; Sr.; BYU commit is terrific athlete.

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Saturday, August 24, 2013

San Diego Section: North players to watch

David Faatuiese / Vista / LB / Jr. / 6-3, 220 / Team’s top tackler
Alijah Holder / Oceanside / DB / Sr. / 6-1, 165 / Stanford commitment
Micah Holder / Oceanside / WR / Sr. / 6-0, 160 / SDSU commitment
Ricky Liuchan / Mission Hills / LB / Sr. / 6-2, 210 / Pac-12 offers
Noah Taele / El Camino / OL / Sr. / 6-2, 275 / Best guard in county
Xavier Ulutu / Cathedral / LB / Sr. / 6-0, 215 / Several Division I offers

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San Diego Section: City players to watch

David Moa / Kearny / OL / Sr. / 6-3, 265 / Recruited by many colleges

Friday, August 23, 2013

LA Times QB's to Watch

Koa Haynes; Bishop Amat; 6-2; 180; Sr.; Runs 4.5-second 40 and is true leader.

Link

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Preseason All-South Bay/Long Beach

CalHiSports

First Team
OL Damien Mama (St. John Bosco, Bellflower) 6-4, 370, Sr.
The consensus No. 1 lineman in the state, Mama holds multiple offers around the country, including USC, Alabama and Ohio State. Behind his strong blocking and imposing frame, Bosco rushed for over 2,500 yards last year. The All-State junior team selection also impressed at The Opening in July.

OL Sam Akoteu (Serra, Gardena) 6-2, 250, Sr.
Akoteu made the All-Mission League second team after helping pave the way for the Cavaliers to rush for 4,318 yards. He’s also made an impact as a defensive lineman who made key plays during the Cavaliers’ state title run.

DL Uriah Leiataua (Dominguez, Compton), 6-4, 265, Sr.
The Dons have always been solid in molding Division I talent on defense and Leiataua is next in line. Wisconsin and Utah lead among the offers he’s considering for the next level.

DL Jason Fao (Poly, Long Beach) 6-1, 250, Sr.
Fao has been a prime-time performer since his sophomore year and now he’s the front line leader of what should be another strong Poly defense. Eleven of his 38 tackles last year were for a loss and while he’s been offered by UTEP and New Mexico State, UCLA has also shown strong interest in him.

DL Olajuwon Tucker (Serra, Gardena) 6-3, 215, Sr.
Tucker was an All-Mission League second team selection after registering 68 tackles and five sacks for the Cavaliers. He’s currently got offers from Arizona State and Miami.

LB Chandler Leniu (St. John Bosco, Bellflower) 6-1, 225, Sr.
Another well-decorated member of our All-State Junior First Team, Leniu (157 tackles) was the defensive MVP in the tough Trinity League. He’s fielding more than 10 offers, including Washington State.

WR/DB John “Juju” Smith (Poly, Long Beach) 6-2, 200, Sr.
Speaking of playoff performances, our State Junior Player of the Year stood out prominently during the Jackrabbits’ playoff run. Smith had a team-high six interceptions and caught 49 passes for 752 yards and nine touchdowns and also has a slew of offers from the likes of Michigan, Alabama, UCLA and USC.

Second Team
LB Malachi Mageo (Serra, Gardena) Sr.

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