OCVarsity is putting the spotlight on the players taking part in the O.C. All-Star Football Game on July 8 at Orange Coast College.
For this edition, we have selected … Mater Dei’s Kapono Laguisan.
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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: KAPONO LAGUISAN
Buena Park coach Anthony White and his staff didn’t have to think twice when considering Kapono Laguisan’s candidacy for the North roster for the Brea Lions Orange County All-Star Game.
The Mater Dei defensive-hybrid (defensive end/linebacker) comes with sparkling on-field credentials and a personality to match.
Laguisan paced the Monarchs with 20 tackles for a loss last season. He tied for second on the team with 10 sacks and was third for quarterback hurries (13).
Laguisan earned several honors, including Polynesian All-American and first-team All-Trinity League.
He plans to play for Orange Coast College in the fall.
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THE Q&A
Q: How many people can spell your name?
A: Not a lot. A lot of people know my first name, but my last name, no one even tries it. Everyone just goes straight to my first name. Not a lot of people can spell it right.
My girlfriend can.
Q: So what’s the substitution name? Lizard? Lasagna?
A: Lot of Lasagna, actually. A lot of people go straight to Lasagna. It’s a joke around the school.
Q: You had a lot of good teammates at Mater Dei. Who did you go to as a mentor?
A: At Mater Dei, I would have to say Coach (Bruce) Rollinson. He helped me through everything I went through in high school. He stayed by my side and helped me out through everything. He’s always had my back, and I couldn’t thank him enough. He’s a great guy.
Q: Rollinson strikes some people as kind of rough around the edges. Is he an acquired taste?
A: Yeah, it’s his way or the highway. There’s no way around it.
Q: With all the talent in the Trinity League, how did you manage to get around those offensive lines and get all those hurries on the quarterback?
A: It all comes from technique. My coach, Bubba (Gonzalez), … he was all about hand movements and our footwork. I think that really helped me out a lot. It helped me progress in my rushing game and to get to the quarterback more.
Q: I’m sure you’re hungry to continue your career. Where do you see that going from here?
A: Next year I’ll be attending Orange Coast College. I could have done a little bit better in school, which is why I’m going the JC route. (Coach Gonzalez) just got a job at OCC, so he’s going to be there and help me out even more.
Hopefully, I’ll get picked up by a four-year college or university, hopefully something like USC.
Q: I imagine it’s great to have that continuity with your coaching staff and knowing that Bubba Gonzalez will be joining you at OCC?
A: Yeah, definitely. He understands my game and how I work. He helped me out all throughout high school, and he’s going to be there even more to help me get to the next level.
Q: Who works harder, the O.C. All-Stars, or the NFL’s Pro Bowl players?
A: O.C. All-Stars, man! These guys work hard every day. They’re all pushing me around. These guys are the best of the best in Orange County, so I definitely have to give it to the O.C. All-Stars here.
