EVERETT — Cynics say all-star games don’t matter and that the players never give their all. Don’t tell that to Sione Potoa’e.
Potoa’e is the most high-profile athlete participating in the 2010 East-West All-Star Football Game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Everett Memorial Stadium. One of the top recruits in the nation, the recent graduate of Lakes High School (Lakewood, Pierce Co.) signed with the University of Washington and has a chance to play right away for the Huskies as a defensive lineman.
Ranked No. 2 in the state among Class of 2010 recruits and fourth in the nation among defensive tackles, according to Scout.com, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Potoa’e has obviously proven himself and has a seemingly bright future awaiting him at the UW.
So what motivated him to accept an invitation to play for the East squad in the East-West Game? Besides getting a chance to compete with and against many of the state’s elite Class 3A and 4A players, Potoa’e has an even bigger reason: his dad.
Last week Aleki Potoa’e returned from a year-long tour of duty in the Army. It was the first sergeant’s third military tour. He didn’t get to watch any of his son’s games this past fall, when Sione helped Lakes advance to the 3A state semifinals. In fact, due to overseas Army service Aleki attended just a handful of Lakes football games during Sione’s four varsity seasons.
“He missed almost my whole high school football career,” Sione Potoa’e said on Wednesday after practicing with the East team, “so just to play this game for him.”
Needless to say, the East-West Game is a special opportunity for the burly teenager, who got a bit choked up thinking about having his dad in the stands for Saturday’s game.
Potoa’e missed the East team’s first two practices this week. His absences were completely understandable: he attended his high school graduation ceremony Monday afternoon. By the time he joined the East squad a day later, with his dad observing proudly, Potoa’e quickly made a strong impression.
“He’s just amazing to watch. He’s a big, strong kid,” East team assistant coach Mark Keel (Central Kitsap High) said of Potoa’e, who bench presses 425 pounds. “But I think the biggest thing is his quickness. You don’t expect a big guy to move like he moves. He’s quick for any size.”
Although he weighs nearly 300 pounds, Potoa’e has been clocked at 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
“Some linemen in high school are strong but they’re not athletic. He’s strong and athletic,” said East team head coach Dave Miller, who coached Potoa’e at Lakes. “You see his feet. You see his agility. That’s what sets him apart.”
At Lakes, Potoa’e played on the varsity team as a freshman. By his sophomore season he showed signs of greatness, Miller said, and during his last two seasons — when Lakes made back-to-back state semifinal appearances — he was essentially unstoppable.
“He’s been as dominating a defensive lineman as I’ve seen in our state (the past) 26 years,” Miller said of Potoa’e, who will play nose guard in the East-West Game.
“He can run stuff down and he can blow stuff up,” Miller added. “He draws a lot of double teams and is still physically able to handle that. He’s ready to play right now at the next level.”
How about after college?
“Obviously, he’s got to keep working,” said Miller, “but, yeah, I think there’s no question he’s got the physical potential to be an NFL defensive lineman.”
All the accolades and recruiting attention haven’t gone to Potoa’e’s head. He still strives to improve. Following his first practice with the East team on Tuesday, he walked up to Keel and asked with total sincerity: “Coach, what do I need to work on?”
“Wow. For a guy of his stature — you want all the guys to be respectful and have good character,” Keel said, “but that was way more than I expected.”
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
