Everyone already knew Su'a-Filo was a dominant offensive lineman. That much was obvious when he received scholarship offers from LSU, Notre Dame and USC.

But what his opponents in the state playoffs realized last month is that Su'a-Filo can also play some defense. As injuries decimated Timpview's defensive linemen, Su'a-Filo stepped up in their absence. He first took some snaps on the D-line in the semifinals against Mountain Crest, then played both ways against Cottonwood in the 4A title game.

"In the first half (against Cottonwood), he came to me and said, 'Coach, I don't want to come out,"' said Timpview coach Louis Wong. "I said OK. You got your wish."

The T-Birds might not have won their third consecutive state title and 36th straight game without Su'a-Filo's unselfishness. He delivered the biggest play of the game when he blocked a Cottonwood punt in the third quarter. Timpview was trailing the Colts 28-21 at the time, and the block turned the game's momentum for good.

"That was the game-changer," Wong said. "You could feel the momentum shift. He wasn't supposed to be in there, but no one came in to take him out. That was just sheer determination and will on his part."

Su'a-Filo's help on defense and special teams were keys to Timpview's winning another state title. But it's on the offensive line where Su'a-Filo will play on Saturdays, and possibly Sundays. He was among the state's best blockers, and his future in football is bright.

3AMVP

Jamie Markosian, Juan Diego
While winning its first football championship in 3A, Juan Diego was one of the state's most balanced teams. One example of this was lineman Jamie Markosian, who dominated on both sides of the ball.

Markosian anchored a defensive unit that blanked five opponents and didn't allow an opponent to score more than seven points until the state playoffs. He was the run-stuffer in the middle of the Soaring Eagle's defense, and he was also a standout pass rusher, as he recorded 11 sacks.

"He was our catalyst the whole year," said Juan Diego coach John Colosimo. "Every game plan we made revolved around him. What were we going to do with him to disrupt the opposing offense? He just had the presence to shut down running games."

Markosian was still Juan Diego's second-leading tackler despite facing constant double- and triple-teams. While attracting so many blockers, he opened things up for his linebackers to make plays, which they did.

He also played intelligently, as he made a big play on a screen pass against Judge early in a game that set the tone for a Soaring Eagle blowout victory. He rushed the quarterback but stopped when he realized it was a screen, backpedaled and batted the pass attempt down to end a Judge possession.