Tomuhini Tupui & Semi Taulanga of this year’s Mater Dei team (left) are shown after first game vs St. John Bosco. On the right is QB Pat Haden & WR John McKay Jr. shown during their careers at Bishop Amat (1968-1970). Photos: Mark Tennis & Angelus News.
After seeing Mater Dei’s inside defensive tackles duo of Tomuhini Tupui and Semi Taulanga in the team’s first game vs St. John Bosco this season, it was tweeted out and they were told that they were the best pair of defensive tackles that we’d ever seen in 45 years of covering California high school football. We haven’t seen them all in person, but here’s a rundown of what might be a bunch of other top duos who played on the same team.
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We’ll begin this feature with the two players who inspired it. Tomuhini Tupui and Semi Taulanga aren’t just typical run-stuffing nose guards who can take on double teams. They both were very disruptive getting into the backfield and making a difference on every play. As was stated earlier this season, it was like the Monarchs’ defense had two Vita Veas in the middle of its defensive line.
