Three Warriors chosen for All-American Bowl

By Sean Ammerman

Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008 | midnight

Local middle school football players Jarrett Solomon, Niko Kapeli and Albert Tai have already proven themselves among the best in the valley.

Now the athletes will see how they stand up to the top eighth graders in the nation at the inaugural Football University Youth All-American Bowl on Jan. 4 in San Antonio.

The three, who play for Liberty's middle school feeder team, were selected in early December to play in the game, which will feature 60 top eighth graders from across the country. Henderson's Cody Mucino, who will attend Coronado next year, was also selected.

Nua Agatonu, who coaches the feeder program, nominated the boys by sending in footage from their 10-1 season. Their lone loss came in the finals Dec. 6 against Silverado's affiliate.

"I think they stand out because of their ability and their knowledge of the game," said Agatonu, who also coaches the boys in the Island Warriors youth football program. "These kids are not just running and tackling. They understand football strategy."

Tai, a linebacker, said the selection helped remove the bitter taste from the loss.

"It was a real humbling experience to go that far and lose," Tai said. "At least we don't have to end our last game before high school with a loss."

Kapeli, a running back, averaged four touchdowns a game, but he missed the championship game with a leg injury. He has since recovered and hopes to make an impression on coaches and other states at the game.

"It's a huge honor to be playing with the best players from other states," Kapeli said.

Solomon, the quarterback who led an offense that out-scored opponents 394-169, said he did not expect to be chosen for the game. He said the biggest honor was making the field of 60 players out of the thousands of applicants.

"I was surprised because this is only my second year playing quarterback," Solomon said. "I have improved a lot at my fundamentals and accuracy throwing the ball."

The players will arrive in San Antonio on Dec. 29 and spend the beginning of the week practicing and participating in a football camp.

The game will be held in conjunction with the U.S. Army All-American Bowl for high school players.

"It will be interesting to see how they stand up to kids from other states," Agatonu said.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].