Lopeti Aisea (6-0, 260) 2011 Highlights – Class of 2015 (ATH)
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Lincoln High School in Portland, OR is home to one of the states top overall players and he is only a freshman! #55 Lopeti Aisea has played in every varisty game this year for the Cardinals and has caused nothing short of chaos. Aisea has come into high school as a 14 year old, (6ft, 260 pound) wrecking ball against opposing offenses. He has played multiple positions for the Cardinals this season such as DL, OL, and has recently been moved to his natural position, middle Llnebacker. During Week 7 Oregonlive.com named Aisea as a top performer for racking up 15 tackles vs. Bend from the DL spot.
His high football IQ is a result of growing up with 2 older brothers that play football and rugby, Sione and Usaia Aisea. Usaia is currently a Junior at Lincoln and starts both ways for the cardinals while also playing rugby and his older brother Sione played TE/DE for Lincoln last season and currently starts on the Western Oregon Rugby team. Growing up with two older brothers pushed Lopeti to be the best. He never wanted to feel like the weak link so he competed with his brothers at an early age. As a 2nd grader Lopeti played MLB for the 5th and 6th grade Alberta Park Panthers team. A story that I found very fascinating was that as a 5th grader he played on the 5th and 6th grade team that defeated Grant in the championship then 20 minutes later, Aisea suited up and started for the 7th and 8th grade team that also defeated Grant for the championship.
Lopeti explained that Rugby is the reason that as a freshman he can read, react, and attack the way he does with such power, “You are constantly running and staying fit while tackling with no pads, most rugby players will tell you that after playing Rugby, football is nothing. I guarantee that if my whole team played Rugby, we would be much better tacklers. ” Having played Rugby since 5th grade, it is just as important to him and his family as is football. His Father, Sione Aisea Sr., is currently the Head Coach for the Lincoln/Westside Rugby team that won the Oregon Ruby Division 3 Championship this Spring.
Born to Tongan parents that moved to America to raise their family and give the kids the best opportunity to succeed, family is big part of Lopeti’s life and he gets to enjoy it on the football field playing next to his brother Usaia. He knows that he can trust him on each and every down. There is even a younger brother, Pone Aisea, he currently plays for the Alberta Park Panthers 5th/6th grade team. Expect to hear the Aisea name a lot over the next few years. I predict that Lopeti will be one of the nations top players for the class of 2015. His upside is huge and he will only get faster and stronger. Also a move to FB/TE is certain in the near future which will allow us another glimpse at how good of a football player Lopeti is. Enjoy the highlights at the top.
