Costa standout Tavai repeats with CIF honor
When the All-CIF football teams are announced each January, it’s not uncommon for players from the top four teams to comprise the majority of selections in each division. Yet Mira Costa, a team eliminated in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Northern Division playoffs, was acknowledged with four players earning All-CIF accolades.
Few teams were able to contain Mira Costa lineman J.R. Tavai who was selected as the CIF Defensive Player of the Year in his division for the second consecutive year. Photo
Heading the list of Mustang honorees was J.R. Tavai, a two-way starter as a defensive lineman and fullback who led Mira Costa to its third consecutive Bay League championship and later named MVP of the league.
Even though the Bay League moved from the Western Division into the tougher Northern Division — which included three of the top 15 team in the state — Tavai continued to dominate the line of scrimmage as a defensive lineman. His accomplishments earned him the division’s Defensive Player of the Year award for the second straight year.
Tavai plans to take his talents to USC in the fall after he recorded 95 tackles and 12 sacks for a Mira Costa defense that surrendered just less than 12 points per game during the 2010 campaign.
At 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, Tavai also played a vital role in Mustang running attack, gaining 278 yards and three touchdowns on 59 carries from the fullback position.
In only his second year playing organized football – and first as a starter – Derek Largent became an All-CIF Northern Division selection as a linebacker.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Largent made 44 tackles with an interception and was voted the Bay League’s Defensive Player of the Year.
He also played a key role for Mira Costa’s offense, averaging 24.5 yards per reception and recording a team high three touchdown catches as a tight end.
Also named to the All-CIF team were Mira Costa lineman Brett Darragh (6-2, 265) and kicker Brendan Sofen (5-10, 175).
Darragh helped pave the way for a Mira Costa offense that gained 2,985 total yards of total offense while Sofen was honored after connecting on 15 of 20 field goal attempts and 20 of 23 PAT tries. The senior kicker will attend Princeton in the fall.
Redondo lineman John Miller earned All-CIF honors after helping the Sea Hawk’s offense amass 2,309 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2010. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound senior was a two-time All-Bay League selection.
Other players from the Bay League named to the All-CIF Northern Division team were running back Marc Sasso and defensive lineman David Davis from Palos Verdes.
In the Northwest Division, Pioneer League champion South Torrance had seven players named to the All-CIF team led by linebacker Eric Capachione who was selected as the division’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Other Spartans making the team were running back Dylan Redondo, linemen Rheid Thill and Kurtis Heinemann, defensive back Ryan Dobie, defensive lineman Brent Malone and linebacker Cale Dester.
Also selected from the Pioneer League were North Torrance running back Ryan McDaniel and receiver Michael Thompson along with El Segundo tight end Nigel Nootbaar and quarterback/safety Grant Palmer who made the team as a utility player.
Del Rey champion Bishop Montgomery had five players honored including running back Nolan Plummer, lineman Alex Meza, receiver Pierre Wise, defensive back Kevin Parades and defensive lineman Christian Holloway.
Representing Chadwick in the Northeast Division were linebacker Chudi Iregulem and punter Hank Trumbull.
CIF champion Serra dominated the Western Division honors as receiver George Farmer was named Offensive Player of the Year, defensive back Marquis Lee was voted Defensive Player of the Year and Scott Altenberg earned Coach of the Year honors.
Joining their Serra teammates on the All-CIF team were running back Shaquille Richard, quarterback Conner Preston, offensive lineman Sione Veikoso, defensive back Raymond Ford, linebacker Woodson Greer and defensive lineman David Moala.
Inglewood receiver Patrick Onwuason represented the Ocean League. ER