South includes three locals

Barry Faulkner

Newport Harbor High seniors Matt Encinias and Mark Temple, as well as

Costa Mesa High senior Luke Sapolu, have been chosen to represent the

South in the 45th edition of the Orange County All-Star football

game, scheduled July 16 at the Santa Ana Bowl.

The three locals are among a 36-player roster chosen by Orange

Couny sportswriters to play against the best from the North in the

annual charity game put on by Brea Lions Club.

Encinias, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound running back, who also played

cornerback for the Sailors last fall, is slated to contribute in the

offensive backfield for South Coach Rick Curtis of Northwood High.

Encinias, a three-year varsity starter on defense for the Tars,

took over the tailback duties for Coach Jeff Brinkley’s Sailors as a

senior. He amassed 1,308 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns to

help the Sailors reach the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs,

where they were eliminated by eventual champion Los Altos, 28-0, in

the first round.

Known for his toughness, Encinias, a first-team All-Sea View

selection, averaged nearly 23 carries per game. He had eight games of

at least 100 rushing yards, including a season-high 203 yards on 27

carries in a 22-20 Sea View League loss to Irvine in Week 8. He also

caught eight passes for 33 yards.

Leaning toward continuing his career at Orange Coast College,

Encinias joins a South backfield that includes Shayne Verhagen from

San Clemente High and Anthony Mitagi from Los Amigos.

Curtis said he plans to run primarily one-back sets, so Encinias

may get an opportunity to contribiute in the secondary, as well.

Temple, a 5-11, 225-pounder, stood out as a defensive tackle for

the Sailors, though he also filled in at guard on offense.

Sapolu, a 5-11, 260-pounder, played both ways for Coach Dave

Perkins’ Mustangs, who finished 5-5 and missed the CIF playoffs. The

son of former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu,

Luke was a consistent force at center on offense and played inside

linebacker on defense.

The younger Sapolu hopes to follow in his dad’s footsteps and play

collegiately at the University of Hawaii.

Quarterbacks Cole Berquist from San Clemente, Matt Brennan from

Marina and Maopu Tuato from Los Amigos will get the chance to trigger

the South offense. Berquist is bound for Montana, while Brennan is

set to continue his career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Idaho-bound Alex Toailoa from Los Amigos and Arizona State-bound

Leo Tavalou from Fountain Valley High, are expected to anchor the

defensive line for the Rebels. Toailoa (6-0, 275) impressed Curtis

with his dominance in the trenches last season, while Tavalou (6-4,

335), has been touted as the best in Orange County by former Barons

Coach Eric Johnson.

Other major-college recruits picked to play one last time as a

prep for the South are UNLV-bound linebacker James Bell from Tustin

High and UC Berkeley-bound offensive lineman Chad Smith from

University High.

In addition to Encinias, Matagi and tight end Tavita Tanielu

(Santa Ana Valley High) are expected to join the Orange Coast College

program next season.

The North is coached by former OCC defensive lineman Greg Gibson,

who guided Orange to the Golden West League title last fall.

2004 South roster

Quarterbacks -- Cole Bergquist (San Clemente), 6-3, 180; Matt

Brennan (Marina), 6-2, 200; Maopu Tuato (Los Amigos), 5-9, 225

Running backs -- Anthony Mitagi (Los Amigos), 5-9, 195; Matt

Encinias (Newport Harbor), 5-9, 170; Cheyne Verhagen (San Clemente),

6-0, 185.

Receivers -- Matt White (Edison), 5-10, 170; Brad Walker (Foothill), 6-3, 200; Kevin Gerard (Fountain Valley), 6-0, 180; Steve

Melton (San Clemente), 6-0, 165.

Tight ends -- Matt Kazyak (Northwood), 6-4, 225; Tavita Tanielu

(Santa Ana Valley), 6-0, 265.

Linemen (offensive and/or defensive) -- Alex Toailoa (Los Amigos),

6-0, 275; Leo Talavou (Fountain Valley), 6-4, 335; Chad Smith

(University), 6-1, 265; Lyndon Liti (Foothill), 5-10, 240; John

Vogelsang (El Toro), 6-3, 285; Logan Dose (Mission Viejo), 6-1, 240;

Luke Sapolu (Costa Mesa), 6-1, 260; Mark Temple (Newport Harbor),

5-10, 225; Chris Wilson (San Clemente), 6-6, 245; Hebron Fangupo

(Century), 6-3, 275; Jess Beets (Tesoro), 6-1, 235; Myles Horttor

(Northwood), 6-3, 245; Zach Clarke (Mission Viejo), 6-2, 235.

Linebackers -- Travis Bengard (Laguna Hills), 6-3, 225; Raymond

Andong (Mater Dei), 6-0, 215; Pat O’Neill (Mission Viejo), 5-11, 195;

Brad Rife (Northwood), 6-2, 220; James Bell (Tustin), 6-2, 220; Nate

Mitani (Edison), 6-0, 190.

Secondary -- Tyler Dugan (Irvine), 5-10, 155; Mark Restelli (Santa

Margarita), 6-2, 190; Marquis Malcom (Tustin), 5-8, 180; Matt

McCormick (Trabuco Hills), 6-1, 200.

Kicker-punter -- Chris Mercer (Aliso Niguel), 6-4, 220.