Area All-Stars ready to shine

Rick Devereux

The Orange County All-Star football game, played tonight at 7:15 at

the Santa Ana Bowl, does many things for the participants.

It pits them against the best competition in the area.

It gives them one last shot to play with high school teammates

before heading off to the college ranks.

And, it brings former adversaries together.

For Costa Mesa High’s Luke Sapolu, the former rival was Alfred Tua

from Golden West League opponent Westminster. But more than an

ordinary friendship was realized. The two are second cousins.

“I didn’t know we were related until our parents met on the field

when we played against each other when we were juniors,” Sapolu said

about a game the Mustangs won, 11-10. “It’s been a lot of fun because

this is the first time I’ve played with him.”

Sapolu said that he enjoyed playing with the eight Samoan

all-stars and has forged friendships with all of them, but his time

with Tua, who will play linebacker, is what he has cherished the

most.

“I’ve grown close to a lot of the Polynesians,” he said. “But I’m

going to stay in touch with Alfred longer than the other guys.”

Sapolu will play at offensive guard instead of center, his

position with the Mustangs, and will handle all long-snapping duties.

“It’s a little bit different than playing center, but I like it,”

he said. “Guard is more fun because you get to pull.”

South Coach Rick Curtis, from Northwood, said he likes Sapolu’s

commitment to the team..

“He never misses practices,” Curtis said. “His dedication and

determination has impressed me the most. He is the type of player any

coach would like to have on their team.”

Sapolu’s punctuality to practice will result in added playing

time, according to Curtis.

“I want everyone to play and have a good time because half of

their summer is gone for this one game,” Curtis said, referring to

the 12 practices in 17 days. “I am setting up a playing rotation

based on ability and the amount of dedication that player showed in

the last three weeks.”

Joining Sapolu on the South squad are Newport Harbor products Matt

Encinias and Mark Temple.

Encinias, a defensive back and tailback for the Sailors, will be

used as a running back and kick returner on special teams. Encinias

racked up 1,308 rushing yards as a senior with nine touchdowns.

Curtis said he will also use Encinias as a receiver even though the

5-foot-10, 175-pound back only caught seven passes for 28 yards in

the fall.

“He has been catching the ball well for us in practice,” Curtis

said. “I know he didn’t do it that much at Newport, but he was used

only as a tailback.”

Temple, who played on the offensive and defensive lines for the

Tars, will play on the interior of the Bear defensive front, which

employs five linemen, the South will utilize.

“He might rotate in at guard on offense,” Curtis said. “But he

will mostly be on defense for us at the nose guard or tackle

positions as one of the three inside guys.”

Temple doesn’t mind shedding blocks instead of making blocks.

“I like playing defense because you get to go a little bit crazy

out there,” he said.