Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

2 from Las Vegas part of MaxPreps high school football All-American team

Liberty Dominates Green Valley

L.E. Baskow

Liberty’s Zyrus Fiaseu (30) finds a hole in the line over Green Valley during their high school football game on Thursday, September 28, 2017.

Updated Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018 | 9:14 a.m.

Not only were Faith Lutheran linebacker Ma’a Gaoteote and Liberty two-year standout Zyrus Fiaseu two of the best players in Las Vegas this past season, they’ve also made a splash nationally.

The duo were named to the 2017 MaxPreps Freshman All-American Football Team, the website announced late last week. The freshman team was selected by Stephen Spiewak, a MaxPreps contributor.

Gaoteote, who finished with 56 tackles, two sacks and an interception, was a first-team defensive selection.

Fiaseu was a second-team selection at defensive back. He had 15 tackles and an interception at defensive back, and rushed for 562 yards and four touchdowns at running back.

Both already have multiple scholarship offers, including hometown UNLV offering Fiaseu before he entered the ninth grade.

Additionally, three from nine-time defending state champion Bishop Gorman were named All-Americans by the site in early January. Palaie Gaoteote, Ma’a's brother, was a first-team selection at linebacker.

"The nation's top rated linebacker had another huge season for the Las Vegas power," MaxPreps wrote.

Gorman quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and tight end Brevin Jordan were picked for the All-American second-team. Thompson-Robinson, a UCLA verbal commit, passed for 38 touchdowns with just three interceptions. Jordan, who signed in December with Miami, caught 63 passes for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21