A familiar face was present during the Los Angeles Chargers’ Nike 11-On event at their El Segundo Facility. Jesse Sapolu, a four-time Super Bowl champion and co-founder of the Polynesian Pro Football Hall of Fame, graced the event. Not only did he watch the new generation of football players, but he also shared his knowledge about the game.

As he shared on his Instagram account, the former NFL center and guard worked with California high school linemen. His caption read, “They’re not just the future of football, they’re the future leaders in life.”

Jesse Sapolu is a warrior on and off the field. After attending Farrington and staying in-state (Hawaii) for college football, the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the 11^th round of the 1983 NFL Draft.

In 15 seasons with the 49ers, Sapolu won Super Bowls 19, 23, 24, and 29. He is one of the few Niners players who won with Joe Montana and Steve Young at quarterback. The Samoa-born offensive lineman also earned Pro Bowl honors in 1993 and 1994.

Upon his retirement in 1997, Jesse Sapolu started in 154 out of 182 career games. After his playing days, he became a Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame inductee and now runs Men in the Trenches (MITT). According to MITT’s official website, “Under Jesse Sapolu’s tutelage, athletes who want to learn the position of offensive line (OL) and defensive line (DL) will gain knowledge and understanding of OL & DL fundamentals. MITT Academy is designed for young aspiring linemen looking to learn the game of football from former NFL and college players and coaches.”

Meanwhile, Sapolu achieved these successes and played in the NFL despite contracting rheumatic fever at a young age. That condition developed a hole in his aortic valve, causing his heart to enlarge and grow weaker. However, he survived after undergoing two artificial cadaver valve replacement operations. Therefore, his experiences in football and life make him a perfect mentor to high school athletes.

RICHMOND, Va. – The Spokane Velocity continued their dominant run in the USL League One with a 1-0 win over the Richmond Kickers. Neco Brett scored in the 46th minute in what would be the game winning goal on an assist from Lucky Opara. 

Collins Onyejiaka
C, 6’10” (270)
ESPN 100 (94), 4-Star No. 19 C

Nate Oats has taken a shine to Northern big men of late. And, that’s fair — the Big 10 and Big East consistently produce the nation’s best front courts: Physical, skilled, bruising. When you play a team from the North, pack a lunch and some ice packs. It’s going to be tough sledding inside the lane.

Meet the next one, as the Tide hauled in 4-star Collins Onyejiaka last night out of the Massachusetts Newman School. Originally on-track for NSD ‘26, Collins will be reclassifying and entering this year, bolstering what is suddenly a very deep ‘Bama post presence.

If you’re looking for a fluid smooth offense, Onyejiaka isn’t your guy. If you want a step-out big who can shoot a respectable bit from the perimeter, look elsewhere. If you need a long athlete who can play 15-feet away from the basket, then Collins isn’t him.

If you want a massive post presence who is a punishing rebounder, finishes plays around the rim, and generally makes life hell on the blocks, then congratulations: You found your man. And that’s what Collins brings to the floor.

After years of getting pushed around in the paint, and perhaps looking ahead to the SEC’s existential threat in Gainesville, the Tide have gone shopping for the Florida Solution. In Onyejiaka ‘Bama has perhaps finally found a true specialist who can give the Tide steady interior minutes, clean up misses for easy baskets, and absolutely hammer the glass…and opposing players.

Coming in at 6’10 and a mammoth 270 pounds, he does all the things you’d expect at that size. He’s a great rebounder with tremendously strong hands. He swats balls. He’s great on the boards on both ends. But, he does have some athleticism too — Onyejiaka has a sweet hook from either hand within six feet of the rim, and he uses surprising body control to go after rebounds in traffic and finish at the hoop. That body control is especially evident in that he is able to be an adroit defender without drawing many fouls — he’s a position player with size.

Collins isn’t the sort of player that is ever going to be a star. He won’t light up the scoreboard or flirt with triple-doubles. He’s not destined for the NBA Lottery. He is a specialist, but it is a specialty Alabama has been lacking. And with his intimidating presence, thunder dunks, and the ability to make short work of penetrating defenders, you can see how he will become a fan favorite. He will almost certainly be an analytical darling despite the box scores — just as Cliff was. What he can do to make everyone better around him is the point, not mere numbers at the scorers table.

Welcome to Tuscaloosa, Collins

Roll Tide

By:

Josh Rizzo


Saturday, June 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Shady Side Academy girls basketball team took a crushing loss in the WPIAL Class 3A championship game. The Bulldogs also lost their 6-foot-2 forward Cassie Sauer for their run through the state playoffs.

But Shady Side Academy was able to pull itself together and move on to the PIAA Class 3A title game for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs lost 55-43 in the final to Loyalsock Township.

Shady Side Academy made it to the final in part to the brilliance of Karis Thomas.

Thomas, who went over 1,000 points for her career during the season, scored 21 points in the PIAA semifinal to propel the Bulldogs past OLSH.

A memorable season for the girls basketball team was one of multiple highlights in Shady Side Academy sports in the 2024-25 school year. Here is a look at some others:

Relay team cruises

The Bulldogs girls track team put together a distance relay squad that racked up wins nearly everywhere it went this spring. At the WPIAL Class 2A championships, the Bulldogs were able to set a school record and bring home a gold medal.

Rhyley Bendel, Charlotte Barker, Sarah Kushnir and Ella Van Norman finished with a time of 9:34.10.

“The training prepared us well for the quadruple that Rhyley Bendel and I did at WPIALs,” Van Norman. “The way the events are structured, it’s perfect for the order we prioritize the events. We go all out in the relay, that’s our No. 1 priority because we do that for each other.”

The group finished fifth at states.

Jochims wins WPIAL crowns

Shady Side Academy sophomore swimmer Ava Jochims won the WPIAL Class 2A title in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:00.09. She also finished first in the 500 free with a time of 4:54.22.

Strong first impression

Bulldogs freshman Javon Johnston placed third in the WPIAL in Class 2A in the triple jump with a leap of 21-11 and second in the triple jump with a distance of 44-1 to punch his ticket to states in two events.

Johnston finished fifth in the long jump at states with a leap of 22-2 ¼. He placed ninth in the triple jump with a distance of 43-9 ¾.

Boys soccer scares Avonworth

The Bulldogs reached the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. Shady Side Academy lost 1-0 in overtime to eventual WPIAL runner-up Avonworth. TheBulldogs were 12-5-1 on the season, including 10-3-1 in Section 1-2A.

Shady Side beat Mt. Pleasant 2-0 in the first round.

Football brings back Geisler

The Shady Side Academy football team had a rough fall, finishing 2-8. The Bulldogs were able to lock up a commitment from a former great, Andrew Geisler, to take over as coach for next season.

Geisler graduated from Shady Side Academy in 2012 and played at Saint Vincent.

Tags: Shady Side Academy