Redington junior named conference’s top lineman

WASILLA — Prior to the start of the prep football season, TJ Laumatia made his way toward the Redington coaches. Tony Brooke, head coach of the second-year program, had yet to meet the high school junior. But when Brooke caught sight of the Laumatia, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing north of 300 pounds, Brooke said he turned to Huskies line coach Will Reeder, and said, “looks like he’s yours.”

“He came to us at the beginning of the season. We had no idea until the first day of practice we were getting TJ,” Brooke said.

It didn’t take long before Laumatia made his presence known, not only within the program, but throughout the Peninsula Conference. Now Laumatia is regarded as one of the best in the league. Laumatia was recently named the Peninsula Conference Lineman of the Year.

“It’s pretty awesome. We’re super stoked,” Brooke said of Laumatia’s honor. “As a program, we couldn’t be more excited for one of our young men who brought everything to the table.”

During the conference awards meeting, Brooke said there was little debate about who the conference’s top lineman was in 2016.

“When it came to lineman of the year, before I could say TJ’s name, two or three other coaches said TJ’s name,” Brooke said of Laumatia, who also earned first-team honors as both an offensive and defensive lineman.

Brooke said Laumatia was not only new to Redington, but also organized football. Despite his inexperience, Brooke said Laumatia possesses a raw talent and a great attitude that allowed him to attain quick success. In addition to his skill, Brooke said Laumatia didn’t hesitate to step up and become a leader.

“He’s kind of like an extra coach on the field,” Brooke said.

Brooke said regardless of experience, Laumatia has the confidence to succeed on the field, and that was contagious among his teammates.

“He’s always in a good mood, always encouraging everyone,” Brooke said.

Brooke said Laumatia spent most of his time on offense at left tackle, but can also slide over to left guard. On the other side of the ball, Brooke said the defensive coaches were able to use Laumatia in both a three- and four-man front. Brooke said Laumatia has also been eager to learn.

“He knows he’s not perfect. He always asks questions how he can get better,” Brooke said.

Now that the football season is complete, Laumatia has joined the Redington wrestling team, Brooke said, which the coach expects to help the junior continue to develop skills that translate from the mat to the turf.

With the lineman of the year honor, Laumatia boasts the first major individual award earned by a varsity athlete for the second-year school, Redington Jr./Sr. High School, located of Knik-Goose Bay Road.

Laumatia was also one of two Huskies to garner first-team honors. Tommy Lonh was named first-team utility player.

“He was our swiss army knife,” Brooke said of Lonh, who played all over the field for the Huskies.

Lonh started the year as a lineman. After also playing at linebacker and running back, Lonh capped the season as Redington’s starting quarterback. He was also the team’s kicker and punter.

Kyler Rumfelt, a team leader who suffered a season-ending injury against Nikiski, earned second-team honors at both running back and return specialist. Isaac Carlson-Hammo was named second-team along the defensive line.

Redington’s recognition has Brooke excited about what is yet to come.

“The future is bright for our boys,” Brooke said.

For a complete All-Peninsula Conference list, see frontiersman.com/sports. For more information about the All-Northern Lights Conference and All-Aurora Conference teams, see upcoming editions of the Frontiersman.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.,com.

Peninsula Conference All-Conference

Offensive player of the year — Mike Wilps, Seward.

Defensive player of the year — David Sanarov, Voznesenka.

Lineman of the year — TJ Laumatia, Redington.

Coach of the year — Kelly Cinereski, Seward.

OFFENSE

First team

Quarterback — Ian Johnson, Nikiski.

Halfbacks — Patrick Perry, Nikiski; Michael Wilps, Seward.

Return specialist — Patrick Perry, Nikiski.

Fullback — Matthew Minium, Nikiski.

Wide receivers — Joe Ravin, Homer; Dawson Felde, Homer.

Long snapper — Dalton Mullins, Nikiski.

Tight end — Rhett Sieverts, Seward.

Tackle — Jadin Mann, Homer; TJ Laumatia, Redington.

Guards — Dustin Mullins, Nikiski; David Sanarov, Voznesenka.

Center — Kjell Nilson, Seward.

Kicker — Kyle Wells, Homer.

Second team

Quarterback — Teddy Croft, Homer.

Halfbacks — Noah Fisk, Homer; Kyler Rumfelt, Redington.

Return specialist — Kyler Rumfelt, Redington.

Fullback — Nick Woodard, Seward.

Long snapper — Jadin Mann, Homer.

Tackle — Michael Kusnetsov, Voznesenka; Ethan Schrock, Seward.

Guards — Seth Classen, Homer; Trent Freiberg, Seward.

Honorable mention

Quarterback — Nik Pahno, Seward.

Halfbacks — Zasima Martushev, Voznesenka; Beau Freiberg, Seward.

Fullback — Sean Love, Homer.

Long snapper — Trent Freiberg, Seward.

Tackle — Cole Sallee, Homer.

Guards — Nikit Anufriev, Voznesenka; Kris Hettick, Seward.

DEFENSE

First team

Outside linebacker — Matthew Minium, Nikiski; Rhett Sieverts, Seward.

Inside linebacker — Ian Johnson, Nikiski; David Sanarov, Voznesenka.

Defensive backs — Avnam Salzmann, Homer; Teddy Croft, Homer; Nik Pahno, Seward.

Interior linemen — Tim Woo, Homer; TJ Lamatia, Redington; Nikit Anufriev, Voznesenka; Trent Freiberg, Seward.

Punter — Dai Martishev, Voznesenka.

Utility player — Tommy Lonh, Redington.

Second team

Outside linebackers — Chris Cudabeck, Homer; Azary Reutov, Voznesenka; Nick Woodard, Seward.

Inside linebackers — Sean Love, Homer; Michael Wilps, Homer.

Defensive backs — Beau Freiberg, Seward; Ethan Schrock, Seward.

Interior linemen — Jadin Mann, Homer; Isaac Carlson-Hammo, Redington; Clayton Larson, Nikiski; Michael Kusnetsov, Voznesenka.

Punters — Teddy Croft, Homer; Mike Wilps, Seward.

Utility player — Jack Heimbold, Homer; Brandon Lynch, Seward.

Honorable mention

Outside linebacker — Cody Handley, Nikiski.

Inside linebacker — Jaime Rios, Homer; Kris Hettick, Seward.

Interior linemen — Cole Sallee, Homer.

Punter — Patrick Perry, Nikiski.