This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
One major key to success on the offensive line is rapport and continuity. Often statistics revealing how many combined starts the five protectors up front have together are used to illustrate the amount of time spent to develop the unit into one.
That isn't the case for the defending Class 4A champion East Leopards (8-0, 3-0). The starting five consisting of Seni Tuiaki, Sam "Taki" Vakalahi, Pate Langi, Pale Salt and Paul Maile are the best the state of Utah has to offer — and it isn't close — but Junior Angilau, a guaranteed Division I prospect, Fusi Teisina and tight end Johnson Hansen rotate in freely without any drop-off in production. Almost assuredly, every player seeing time in the trenches for East will play at the next level.
"It's the best offensive line we've had," said East coach Brandon Matich. "We've had some great players, but [this] group as a whole is very talented, but it's not just their talent — they're smart. If you listen to them, the communication they have with one another, I mean the left tackle is talking to the right tackle."
An aspect of what makes this offensive line so special, too, is the variety of personalities that somehow mesh to form the bond on the field.
Matich described each player effortlessly:
Langi, he said, is the "most social one, but he's very focused."
Maile has "a real nasty side to him. His momma would tell you different, but he's got a nasty side."
Vakalahi is "the lovable one, but he is probably the most athletic one."
Angilau is the "quiet, cerebral one. He's exceptionally smart."
Teisina is "the wild one. Fusi is hard to control, but in terms of explosive talent, he's probably the best we've had."
Salt is a "natural leader. He's pretty serious most of the time."
Matich said the group is unique because, particularly in high school, many players avoid playing offensive line, but it was the preferred position for these kids.
"I think being [on the] offensive line is a privilege," Salt said. "Even though we don't get credit, like running backs or quarterbacks, I'm OK with it."
Added Langi: "I don't really like the credit. I like being a normal person. Just a person on East High's football team. Seeing [running back Jaylen Warren's] name or East football represents us. We don't have to get singled out to feel good about ourselves. We see the team doing good, then it's all of us."
Matich-coached programs are notoriously productive on the ground. Scour through the state records and you'll find many of the rushing records are associated with Park City and East during Matich's tenure, and that's no different this season.
In total, 14 players have rushed for 3,631 yards and 44 touchdowns on 317 carries, which equates to 11.5 yards per carry. The Leopards are averaging 48 points per game, and they've attempted only 27 passes. They're not one-dimensional, as quarterback Ben Ford has proved he has the ability to throw — he simply doesn't need to because of the offensive line.
"I can stand back and they call the shots. They help me script the first seven plays during the week," Matich said. "During the games, they're telling me what's good and what's not good. They're essentially calling the game. It's unbelievable. They're an incredible group."
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