Search in IFAF selects its first 12 players to roster - 2 of American Samoa's own named

David Katina graduated from Kanana Fou High School in 2009, but played football for Fa’asao Marist High school, as Kanana Fou did not have a football team at that time. He received a full ride football scholarship to the University of Hawaii. [photo: SN file photo]

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has recently announced its first 12 players named to the IFAF World Team roster that will face Team USA, in USA Football's International Bowl on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in Austin, Texas, with two of its players, David Katina DE, 6-3 250 lbs University of Hawaii and Sonny Sanitoa DE 6-4 235lbs UNLV this according to www.usafootball.com.

The state capital will host the third annual game-formerly know as USA vs The World, when an IFAF World Team of teenage football players led by Canadian head coach Greg Marshall takes on American's under-19 national team, composed of current high school seniors (class of 2012). Both teams will field a 50-player roster for the game at the Palace Round Rock ISD Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Earning a third selection is American Samoa's very own David Katina, a 2009 Fa'asao Marist High School graduate, who lined up for the IFAF World Team in both 2010 and 2011. The other American Samoa graduate named to the IFAF World Team is 2011 Samoana high school graduate Sonny Sanitoa.

In the first annual IFAF World Team versus the USA, the three American Samoans on the roster were 2009 Leone high school graduate Beck Coulter, 2010 Tafuna high school graduate Aiulua Fanene and Katina.

Samoa News spoke with the father of Sonny Sanitoa, House Representative Larry Sanitoa, who said, "Football is certainly a sport which our people have been very successful with at all levels and American Samoa's high school football program has vastly improved over the years," said Sanitoa. "Each year, I have witnessed some of our local athletes receive scholarship opportunities from prominent mainland universities and colleges. This recognition is attributed to the hard work and commitment of the school coaches, administrators and the support of the students and parents alike in all schools. Sonny's full football scholarship from UNLV is a true testament of our territory's successful football program as well as his personal commitment and hard work."

"To be selected to the IFAF World Team is a wonderful achievement and again this speaks highly of American Samoa's successful football program. This certainly would be a great opportunity for selected individuals to work with other professionals coaches and players from around the world and a chance to improve one's competency to affront their professional and individual life. I am very pleased of Sonny's selection to the IFAF World Team and proud of his achievements," said Sanitoa.

Also according to usafootball.com, in order to be eligible for the IFAF World Team program, players must be nominated by their national federation and are evaluated by the coaching staff based on film review and weekly training log results collected through the IFAF World Team portal.

The selection and announcement of players to both the final roster and Development Team will continue on an ongoing basis until all positions are filled.

A limited number of roster spots will be available for players promoted from the Development Team during training camp.

Here is the list of the first 12 players to be selected to the IFAF World Team:

David Katina               DE               6-3            250lbs            American Samoa           

Sonny Sanitoa            DE               6-4            325lbs            American Samoa

Adam Gotsis               OL               6-5            262lbs            Australia

Andreas Hofbauer       RB               5-11          206lbs            Austria

Laurinho Walch          WR               5-11          148lbs            Austria

Tevaun Smith            WR               6-1            187lbs            Canada

Matthias Goossen      OL                6-3            290lbs            Canada

Eli Ankou                  DE               6-3            245lbs            Canada

Faith Ekakitie            DE               6-3            285lbs            Canada

Marcus Grandison     DB               6-0            215lbs            Canada

Kalvin Johnson         DB               5-9            180lbs            Canada

Shingo Maeda          RB               5-10          191lbs            Japan