All District (Texas) Polynesian Selections

The rest of the United States was exposed to the fact that there is a large Tongan population in Texas centered around the Euless area of Dallas-Fort Worth. This was due to the front page article in the Wall Street Journal on the haka performed by Tongans and non-Tongan football players at Trinity High School (Euless, TX). In addition to the Tongan population around the Dallas area there are also smaller populations of Samoans spread around the state, including around military bases in El Paso, Copperas Cove, and Kileen.

Trinity High School's Manaaki Vaitai (OL, 6'3, 299, Sr) was selected Second Team All American by MaxPreps.com and was a First Team All State Selection (5A) by the Dallas Morning News. In addition, the BYU bound offensive lineman was first team All District (7-5A) for the second year in a row. Trinity teammate Isaiah Yandall (DL, 6'3, 272, Sr) was an Honorable Mention All State selection by the Dallas Morning News and was a 1st Team All District (7-5A) selection. There are also a contingent of Trinity High School players who were first and second team All District and others from throughout the state.

First Team All District
1-4A Sofeni Laumea OL, 5'9, 265, Sr Andress HS (El Paso)
7-5A Will Finau OL, 5'11, 260 Sr LD Bell (Hurst)
9-4A Isaac Tauaefa DL, Jr Lake Dallas HS (Corinth)
16-5A Westlee Tonga TE, 6'4, 220, Sr Spring HS

7-5A Wayne Heimuli S, 5'10, 170, Jr Trinity HS (Euless)
7-5A Veilani Kautai T, 5'9, 249, Sr Trinity HS (Euless)
7-5A Alex Kautai DL, 6'0, 293, Sr Trinity HS (Euless)
7-5A Mao Leota DE, 6'0, 273, Jr Trinity HS (Euless)
7-5A Joe Likio LB, 6'1, 204, Sr Trinity HS (Euless)
7-5A Numi Lolohea LB, 5'10, 209, Sr Trinity HS (Euless)


Second Team All District
TJ Magalei Fossil Ridge HS
Kaili Tualau Trinity HS (Euless)

Honorable Mention All District
Matt Hola Trinity HS (Euless)
John Niutei Trinity HS (Euless)
William Paipa Trinity HS (Euless)

82nd Annual East-West Shrine Game

The 82nd Annual Shrine Game will be played tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 (HST) on ESPN and will feature Samoans Tala Esera and Paul Soliai on the West team which is coached by former NFL coach Dan Reeves. University of Hawai'i defensive lineman Ikaika Alama-Francis was slated to play in the game before injuring his pectoral muscle in Sunday's Hula Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Tala Esera helped lead the University of Hawai'i to a 11-3 record and a victory in the Hawai'i while protecting 2007 Heisman Candidate Quarterback Colt Brennan's blindside. Esera was also selected first team All WAC tackle this past season. Paul Soliai is a graduate of Nu'u'uli Voc Tech in American Samoa and came to the University of Utah via Coffeyville CC (Kansas) where he transferred from along with teammate Fano Tagovailoa. Soliai a defensive lineman was selected team All-Mountain West Conference in 2006.

St Louis DE Solomona Aigamaua verbals to Cal

Former Leone (American Samoa) and current St Louis HS (Honolulu) Defensive End Solomona Aigamaua has verballed to play football at Cal next season.

Saint Louis ends pick California

The bookends will stay together in college but may not play right away

By Paul Honda
phonda@starbulletin.com

Saint Louis defensive ends Solomona Aigamaua and Scott Smith will remain teammates after giving Cal their commitments to play football next season.

Now, the talented two-sport stars won't have any more trips -- Oregon had been on the schedule for Smith this week -- to distract from their other priorities.

"Oregon still wants me to take the trip," he said yesterday.

Aigamaua was a bit more relaxed. "Now, I can concentrate on school and basketball," he said.

Aigamaua and Smith were recruited near and far, with pronounced attention from Pac 10 programs. They took the past 24 hours to call coaches near and far to inform them of their decisions. They turned down offers from Hawaii and a bevy of schools, including several from the Pac 10.

By this morning, they could see light at the end of the tunnel.

"I feel like it's like a burden just dropped off my back right now," said Aigamaua, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior.

Smith, a 6-7, 240-pound senior, felt the same relief. The end is not quite here yet, though, especially since letter-of-intent signing day is not for another three weeks.

The two bookends came about their final decisions in separate ways. Aigamaua grew up in American Samoa dreaming of playing for Oregon, but his strength as a scholar athlete -- he carries a 3.7 grade-point average -- made Cal a clear favorite.

Smith was torn between Cal, Arizona and Washington, but heeded the advice of his parents regarding Cal's sterling reputation in academics.

"All the schools are good, but Cal is the best pick because my parents like the academic factor and they're also one of the top football teams," he said.

The only two schools the pair had visited so far were Oregon State and Cal. During their visit to Berkeley earlier in the month, Smith and Aigamaua were hosted by former local standouts Tyson Alualu (Saint Louis) and Mika Kane (Kamehameha).

When the two players conferred on Wednesday and learned that they both liked Cal, Smith's decision was solidified.

"It helps that my friend 'Mona committed, too. It's always easier when your teammate commits with you," said Smith, who stars on the Crusaders basketball team. Aigamaua is a key contributor for the team, which is ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10.

"I didn't really know Scott was gonna go to Cal. On the trip, he wasn't really leaning towards them. He was leaning toward Arizona a lot. We both had different opinions," Aigamaua said.

The two players aren't guaranteed to suit up next year.

"They said it depends on me," said Aigamaua, who plans to gain plenty of weight after basketball season. "If I think I'm ready to come out and compete, it just depends on how it goes. I probably might want to redshirt because I want to get used to college life."

That wait would not be a problem, he said. "They tell me it's way different from high school. Then by next year, I'll be better prepared," Aigamaua said.

Smith has more weight and is fairly optimistic about the fall. "They like the way my dad trains me. If I prepare the right way, I'll have a chance at playing. It doesn't matter to me if I redshirt or not," he said.

Tengan, who also coaches the Saint Louis basketball team, is proud of both youngsters.

"I think the toughest thing for the both of them has been, No. 1, the time management. They've had to balance school, school work, basketball practice and games, and the recruiting process. Trips, home visits, telephone calls at home, which interrupts rest and studying," the longtime coach said.

The combination of work ethic and maturity in academics and athletics is what Tengan, a teacher at the school, will remember well.

"Any time you have kids that work hard and do all the things you ask of them to help your program be a success, I'm just happy for both of them. It's a prime example of guys taking care of business in the classroom as well as on the athletic field, to see them choose a place they really want to go to, a lot of guys want to go to certain schools and never get that opportunity," Tengan said.

"Their parents did a great job preparing them."

Smith, one of the top basketball players in the state, is already putting the football stress behind himself.

"I can't wait until Wednesday," he said. "We play Punahou."

Sam Fehoko verbals to SDSU

As of today Sam Fehoko of Farrington HS (Honolulu) will attended SDSU and play alongside his brother Whitley Fehoko.

Farrington defensive end Fehoko to join brother at San Diego State

By Paul Honda
phonda@starbulletin.com

On paper, San Diego State and Hawaii were at the top of Sam Fehoko's list.

However, after being bombarded with constant attention from the SDSU staff, the Farrington defensive end gave the Aztecs potentially their best news coming out of the islands. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound All-State performer committed to SDSU on Sunday, with coach Chuck Long and some of his staff present at the Fehoko residence.

The decision brought Fehoko, who spurned offers from Arkansas and Oklahoma, some peace of mind.

For his mother, Linda, it was upsetting. She wanted her second-oldest son to take his visits -- he had gone only to SDSU and UH so far -- and weigh all of the options.

However, the tide turned during Sunday's 4-hour meeting at the Fehoko home with Long and some of his staff.

Long and his assistants left with smiles.

"Once I commit, I commit, you know. I thought out all the schools and talked to all the coaches. I chose the one I think is right for me," Fehoko said.

Playing for Hawaii, where his famous father, Vili, is an unofficial mascot, was a real consideration. Also, UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold had built a solid relationship with Sam.

Hawaii coach June Jones met with Fehoko, who visited UH over the weekend, and asked for a decision by the end of this week. Fehoko had 3 minutes of discussion with Jones. He wanted more.

"I was pretty surprised, I thought he'd be more open. He's a really good coach. He said if I leave for another school, he'll still keep the same relationship with me," Fehoko said yesterday.

For Linda Fehoko, Sunday night's surprise decision was trumped by chaos yesterday. Once Sam finished his classes, he had phone calls to make, visits to cancel. She wanted him to play in the SEC badly.

"He told me and Vili and everyone else (on Sunday) he'd wait until signing day," his mother said.

Two more factors, family and playing time, gave SDSU an edge.

Working out with his brother, Aztecs offensive lineman Whitley Fehoko, over the Christmas break, produced big results. Sam had 12 tackles and two sacks in the All-American Bowl.

"Whitley didn't need to recruit me. He always makes me better. It's a plus going there. I can train with him. Whitley owns his name, I own mine, but I'm glad he's there," Fehoko said.

The scholar-athlete had plenty of questions for both UH and SDSU. He found it easier to talk with Long.

"I asked them about playing time. They were straightforward with me. If I perform well in the summer, at defensive end and linebacker, I might play," Fehoko said. "They want me to rush in from different angles."

Fehoko had high praise for Reinebold, but expects little to change.

"I know some schools are going to come even harder. I just pray a lot that everything goes right," he said.

That slight chance of a change in his decision does exist.

"Colt is a big factor in my decision," Fehoko said of UH's record-breaking quarterback, Colt Brennan. As of last night, Brennan was still undecided about turning pro or returning to UH this fall.

"If he stays, anything can happen. I'm a solid commit to SDSU," Fehoko said, "right now."

South Florida's Siaosi Uhatafe to graduate early

Junior defensive lineman Siaosi Uhatafe of South Florida will graduate in May with a degree in communications and won't use his final year of eligiblity. Uhatafe had three tackles last season in occasional work on the d-line.

Mike Clausen (Riverside North) Selects UNLV

11:33 PM PST on Tuesday, January 16, 2007

By MICHAEL BECKER
The Press-Enterprise

Mike Clausen, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback who led Riverside North to a 14-0 season and CIF Eastern Division championship, said Tuesday he will play football at UNLV.

Clausen decided late Tuesday after meeting with UNLV head coach Mike Sanford and assistant coach Tony Dews. He can sign a national letter of intent Feb. 7.

"I like the coaching staff," Clausen said. "It's very family oriented. It's a homey environment."

Clausen chose UNLV over Utah State, which also offered him a scholarship. Clausen favored UNLV because Sanford is an offensive-minded coach and employs a spread offense. With starting quarterback Rocky Hinds recovering from knee surgery, Clausen said Sanford promised him a chance to compete for the quarterback position next year.

"Knowing the head coach was an offensive kind of guy, I know I would get my fair share in the offense," Clausen said.

CalHiSports.com All State Team

First Team All State
OL – Fred Koloto (Palo Alto) 6-4, 270, Sr.
An inspirational leader for a team that reached the CIF Div. II state championship game, Koloto is a two-time honors selection by the San Jose Mercury-News. He's been fast enough to get on the outside and lead sweeps and also was a strong defender for the Vikings. Koloto has taken at least one recruiting trip to Washington and appears to be Pac-10 bound.

DL – Christian Tupou (Grant, Sacramento) 6-3, 275, Sr.
This nose guard was a key factor in 13-0 Grant's defensive success this season. Besides a 3.8 GPA off the field, on the field Christian accounted for a total of 92 tackles to go along with five sacks on the season. His best single game outing came against Burbank of Sacramento as he accounted for 15 tackles along with a sack. In the 13-game season, Grant's defense only allowed 67 points and managed to tally six shutouts. Tupou has been named the Sacramento Bee's Defensive Player of the Year. His real strength was taking on two or three offensive linemen and plugging up the middle so that the rest of the team's defense could make plays.

Second Team All State
DL – Sean Enesi (Carson) 5-10, 275, Sr.

Third Team All State
Ronnie Fouch (Redlands East Valley) QB
Adam Tello (Norco) OL
Tyler Beck (Vista Murrieta, Murrieta) LB
Lei Talamaivo (Rancho Cucamonga) DL
Mike Clausen (J.W. North, Riverside) QB-RB

Polynesians at the Hula Bowl

I had the opportunity to be on the field for today's Hula Bowl. The 'Aina came back to defeat the Kai 18-10. The 'Aina's lone Polynesian was Samoan CJ Ah You of Oklahoma. Nate Ilaoa scored on the first score of the game to put the Kai up 6-0. Unfortunately NFL hopefuls Ikaika Alama-Francis, Nu'u Tafisi and Melila Purcell suffered injuries in the game that hopefully will not slow down their path to the NFL. Also it would be nice next year if the Hula Bowl does a better job of marketing the bowl game to get more people into the stands--the attendance for today's game was around 8000 people. The Kai team was loaded with Samoans, Tongans, and Hawaiians including:

Ikaika Alama-Francis: Hawai'i
Ross Dickerson: Hawai'i
Frank Fernandez: Harvard
Nate Ilaoa: Hawai'i
Jake Kuresa: BYU
Palauni Ma Sun: Oregon
Abu Ma'afala: Cal
Regan Mauia: Hawai'i
Leonard Peters: Hawai'i
Melila Purcell: Hawai'i
Caleb Spencer: Nevada (Did Not Play)
Nu'u Tafisi: Cal
Kelly Talavou: Utah
Tavo Tupola: Utah
Matt Toeaina: Oregon
Travis Tofi: USC
Dane Uperesa: Hawai'i

Among those listed above, three are American Samoa High School graduates and past AIGA Foundation Camp participants in the territory. Pictured clockwise are Mel Purcell (Leone/Hawai'i), Matt Toeaina (Samoana/Oregon) and Travis Tofi (Faga'itua/USC)











































Polynesian Defensive Line:

Pictured Left to Right: Nu'u Tafisi, Abu Ma'afala, Kelly Talavou, Mel Purcell and Matt Toeaina.

Devin Mahina commits to BYU

Touted tight end commits to Cougs

Brigham Young's football team hosted 20 recruits this weekend and got an oral commitment from a prized tight end.

Devin Mahina, a 6-foot-6 highly touted recruit from Upland, Calif., committed to play with the Cougars. The national signing date is Feb. 7.

Mahina is expected to serve an LDS Church mission before beginning his college career. BYU has a total of 25 commitments, including one from offensive coordinator Robert Anae's son, Famika, who is an offensive lineman at Timpview High.