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Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 23 East
Zack Poff breaks down why the Leopards are one of the nation's best teams.
Head coach: Brandon Matich
Last season: 14-0, 4A state champion, No. 23 national ranking
Last decade: 87-34-1, two state titles
Famous alumni/players: Comedian Roseanne Barr, NFL fullback William T. Tukuafu, astronaut James Irwin
Head coach Brandon Matich has a wealth of talent that returns from last season's state championship team.
Photo by Steve Carnahan
The state's No. 4 recruit has 13 offers, but most think he's going to Washington. He changed his last name of Vakalahi during the offseason to honor his grandparents, who raised him.
OT Junior Angilau (6-6, 297, Sr.) — Utah's No. 6 recruit has 20 offers, but most see him going to Texas. He also goes by Sione.
DT Paul Maile (6-3, 250, Sr.) — The state's No. 10 recruit has 17 offers, but he seems a lock to end up at Utah.
LB Johnson Hansen (6-2, 247, Sr.) — Nebraska, Utah and Fresno State are among his college suitors.
DT Moa Heimuli (6-1, 280, Sr.) — Oregon State is in hot pursuit of him.
Offensive tackle Sam Taki Taimani
Photo by Steve Carnahan
Aug. 25 — at Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)
Sept. 1 — at Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Oct. 20 — vs. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
East has several top returning linemen including (left to right) Seni Tuiaki, Sam Taki Taimani, Junior Angilau, Paul Maile and Moa Heimuli.
Photo by Steve Carnahan
* Riding a 23-game win streak, Matich and Leopards are out to prove last year's unbeaten season, a second straight state title, its win over De La Salle and national ranking were no fluke.
* With four returning offensive linemen toting major FBS offers, Matich said: "We may never have an offensive line as big, talented or cohesive as this one." They may just be the best in the country.
* Replacing All-American running back Jaylen Warren (3,099 yards, 38 touchdowns) won't be easy, but Matich likes what he sees out of
Lame Feletoa (5-11, 225),
Charlie Vincent (5-11, 160) and
Sione Molisi (5-9, 170). East has nine of 11 starters returning on offense overall.
* Scheduling the most talented the team in the country— IMG Academy — right before playoffs might not have been the smartest move, Matich admitted. "But our guys are definitely not scared of IMG. Nobody, for that matter."
* With so much talent and experience returning, could complacency be a concern? "Absolutely not," Matich said. "As far as character goes, this group is second to none."
Running back Sione Molisi and quarterback Ben Ford.
Photos by Steve Carnahan
Linebacker Johnson Hansen
