ST. GEORGE — On national signing day Wednesday, several Region 9 senior athletes announced and/or celebrated their acceptance of scholarships to play football at the collegiate level.
Recognized at Pine View High School during a lunchtime signing ceremony were quarterback Dallin Brown and linemen Solo Katoa and Brooks Maile. Brown signed with Southern Utah University, while Katoa committed to Dixie State University. Maile had previously signed his letter of intent in December to play for Brigham Young University.
Pine View head coach Ray Hosner praised all three players during the meeting for their dedicated work ethic, both on and off the field.
“One thing about our team this year that I thought that I saw a huge change in was how unselfish they became and how much they were just willing to help and serve each other,” Hosner said.
“I’m proud of these guys are proud of their accomplishments,” he continued, thanking the players’ parents and family members for their support.
“I promise you this, I need to thank you guys for sharing them with me because the journey that I’ve had with them is why I do what I do.”
The coach also admonished the players to make the most of their scholarships.
“Football’s great, but the education is what’s going to get you through the rest of your life,” Hosner told them. “Even if you make it to the NFL, that’s going to be a 10 to 15 year career, tops, and then you have to live the rest of your life. So take advantage of these educations that you’re going to get for free.”
Hosner said two additional Pine View football players are expected to sign soon, with safety Jeshan Allen intending to commit to Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and running back Tosh Wright still weighing possible offers from Snow College and a couple other institutions.
Welcome Solo Katoa to the Dixie State Trailblazers Family! @DixieState_FB #DixieBlazers #DixieNSD2019 pic.twitter.com/kxyx9ZvDSk
— Dixie St. Athletics (@DixieAthletics) February 6, 2019
Dixie High
Meanwhile, after school Wednesday at Dixie High School, two Flyers players signed letters of intent to play college football.
Offensive lineman Jaxon Reyos signed to play at Southern Virginia and defensive back Tyson Miller committed to play at Bemidji State University in Minnesota.
Desert Hills High
Mason Creager, an offensive tackle and defensive end for the Desert Hills Thunder, has committed to play for Southern Utah University.
A tweet posted on SUU’s TBirdNation account said Creager will be joining the team “after his mission,” referring to a two-year period of full-time service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
#TBirdNation Welcome Mason Creager to the T-Bird Family! Hard working young man right in the backyard, excited to get him back after his mission! #11UNITED pic.twitter.com/4NrUWztr4Q
— Demario Warren (@DemarioWarren) February 6, 2019
Cedar High
Running back Drake Fakahua signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play football for Southern Utah University.
Last fall, Fakahua led the Redmen in rushing with 689 yards on 91 carries and scoring eight touchdowns.
St. George News will update this story as needed, with any additional Region 9 athletes that sign letters of intent during the current signing period. Please send photos and information to jrichards@stgnews.com.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Pine View High School head football coach Ray Hosner (right) talks about seniors Brooks Maile, Solo Katoa and Dallin Brown on college football's national signing day, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News Nisi Maile and son Brooks Maile talk about his decision to play football for Brigham Young University, as Pine View head coach Ray Hosner looks on in background, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News L-R: Pine View High School seniors Brooks Maile, Solo Katoa and Dallin Brown on college football's national signing day, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News Pine View High School seniors Brooks Maile, Dallin Brown and Solo Katoa at a lunchtime signing ceremony on college football's national signing day, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News L-R: Pine View High School seniors Brooks Maile, Dallin Brown and Solo Katoa hold a celebratory cake on college football's national signing day, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News Drake Fakahua of Cedar High prepares to sign to play football for Southern Utah University on college football's national signing day, Cedar City, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Cedar High athletics, St. George News / Cedar City News L-R: Dixie High School seniors Tyson Miller and Jaxon Reyos signed letters of intent on college football's national signing day, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photos courtesy of Dixie Boosters via Twitter, St. George News Dixie High School senior Jaxon Reyos holds up his letter of intent to play at Southern Virginia University, on college football's national signing day, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Dixie High athletics, St. George News Dixie High School senior Tyson Miller holds up his letter of intent to play at Bemidji State University, on college football's national signing day, St. George, Utah, Feb. 6, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Dixie High athletics, St. George News
Email: jrichards@stgnews.com
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.