By Ray Brewer , Las Vegas SUN 

 Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

Desert Pines High senior football player Eric Tuiloma is a star. It’s just nobody knows about this hidden jewel, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound wide receiver and defensive back who is arguably one of the Las Vegas Valley’s top players.

He never comes off the field for the Jaguars — a team, like their star player, that also flies under the radar.

 Tuiloma had four touchdowns Aug. 28 in a season-opening victory against Cheyenne, including one grab where he leaped over a pair of defenders to haul in a long pass from quarterback Dalton Leilua. He finished with just under 150 yards receiving and three touchdowns and returned an interception 15 yards for another score.

He was so dominant that he scored all four times he touched the ball. While that type of performance is a career for some, or something others can’t accomplish on their PlayStation, it was just another day at the office for Tuiloma.

With that in mind, it’s mind-boggling that his only scholarship offer is from Northern Arizona.

“If that happened in Pittsburgh, where I am from, JoePa (Penn State coach Joe Paterno) would be ringing your phone the next day,” Desert Pines coach Paul Bennett said.

Tuiloma, who will more than likely play defensive back or safety in college, has been clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash and is a sure-thing qualifier academically.

Simply put, he’s waiting for those letters of interest from the likes of Fresno State, Nebraska and Colorado to turn into scholarship offers.

Meanwhile, Bennett said, the coaches at Northern Arizona are keeping their fingers crossed that other schools don’t figure out what they already know — Tuiloma is the real deal.

“Eric had a field day (against Cheyenne),” Bennett said. “It was just incredible. Those people at Northern Arizona tell me they hope people at other schools don’t realize what’s going on with Eric. He’s a hidden jewel. They tell me to keep him under the radar.”

Tuiloma, a three-year starter, had a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown last year against Valley and was an all-Sunrise Region selection. But his less than 500 receiving yards as Desert Pines struggled offensively partially explains why there is only one offer.

Tuiloma isn’t all too concerned with the lack of attention. He understands that personal accolades will come after his team accomplishes its primary goal — dethroning perennial power Las Vegas High as the Northeast Division’s top team.

Tuiloma and Leilua, both of Polynesian decent, have been teammates together since their days of youth football with the Island Warriors — the New York Yankees of Las Vegas youth programs.

“It felt like we were playing in our homecoming game, even though it was just the first game of the year,” Tuiloma said of the excitement from his performance.

Desert Pines hosts Basic this week in arguably the biggest game of the recruiting process for Tuiloma. A bad performance means he had a field day against a down Cheyenne squad, while a good performance will cement what Bennett and Northern Arizona coaches already know — Eric Tuiloma is a star

The Island Warriors won the Championship game Saturday afternoon against the defending Champs, the Yelm, WA. Tornados. The Warriors were in their usual championship form as the weather cooperated and provided drier conditions than Thursday night's game. The hits were relentless and the rushing unstoppable as the Warriors cruised to a 34-10 victory. The defense held the Tornado offense to only one Td and one Safety that was a result of a muffed snap. The defense was led by Junior Monterde who was in the backfield pressuring the Tornado QB most of the game. Anu Solomon and Albert Tai both had interceptions that put the Warriors in scoring position. Offensively, Niko Kapeli and Kai Nacua both combined with QB Anu Solomon for the Warriors air and ground attack that was too much for the Tornados. Jared Tuilagi scored on 2 Td passes of 50 and 45 yards and was named the MVP of the game.

The Tournament was a great experience for the kids. Thanks to everyone who helped organize the kids travel. Special thanks to Lou Tuilagi for helping with travel arrangements and getting our paperwork in order, Keala Enomoto for transporting the kids equipment, Simi Strickland and Family for hosting our postgame meal and to all the Washington Poly Families that came out to support us.

Four Youth Island Warriors have earned national recognition and have been invited to San Antonio, Texas to participate in the Youth All American Bowl and All American Underclassmen Combine.  The Youth games will be played on January 4, 2009 the day after the US Army All American Bowl in the Alamodome and will be broadcast live via webcast. The All Ameirican Underclassmen combine will take place on January 3rd.

Albert Tai, Niko Kapeli and Anu Solomon have been selected to play in the First Youth All-American Bowl that is made up of the top 8th grade players from around the country. It is a very prestigious honor to be selected for this game and it is by invitation only. Out of the 3 million youth football players in the nation, Albert, Niko and Anu were nominated by Coach Nua and selected by the bowl committee as 3 of the top 8th grade players in the nation.

Long time IW Club member, Dalton Leilua (c/o 2010) of Desert Pines HS has been invited to participate in the All-American Underclassmen combine. The combine selects and invites the top 500 prospective D1 recruits in the nation for the class of 2010 to participate.

Congratulations to these boys for their accomplishments, and we know that the best is yet to come for these young men. We are very proud that you are Island Warriors!!!!

The IW Jr Patriots defeated Bishop Gorman 40-39 in a very tight game to advance to the SNYSA championship.  It was a back and forth game with both teams scoring on nearly every possesion. The game was tied going into the fourth quarter. The Gaels scored and missed the extra point. Then Javen Nihipali returned the kickoff for a TD. Anu Solomon's extra point put the Warriors ahead by one. The Warriors recovered the onside kick, but turned the ball over with less than 2 minutes left in the game. The Gaels began to drive the ball down field but Javen Nihipali caused them to fumble and recovered the ball to seal the victory.

Great Job Boys!!!!

The IW JR Patrots will face Silverado On December 6th at 6 pm at Ed Fountain Park. The E. Division Warriors will also play on December 6th at Ed fountain Park against the USFLL runner up champs at 2 pm.

The Youth Island Warrior Team of players 14 & under participated in the Annual National Pigskin Tournament Held in Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving Holiday. The team, who normally plays in the spring league,  got together just a few weeks prior to the tournament and had only a handful of practices. The team went undefeated winning over teams from Colorado and California.  This is the second straight year Island Warriors teams have gone Undefeated in this tournament.

Congratulations players and coaches!

Island Warriors youth teams added 2 more Championships to their resume this spring as they won the USFLL Championship in both the Reggie White and Sam Mills Divisions. Congratulations to the players, Coach Johnny Alapai, Coach Conrad Waialae and their coaching staffs. 

Special thanks to the team managers Cindy Tauanuu, Penina Nacua, Chris Waialae and all the parent volunteers!!

We look forward to continuing our winning tradition as we move forward with our plans to begin fall football.