AOTW: Deuce & Simeon Alailefaleula look to add to family legacy at Bartlett
“What got me into football was family. Our name is known around the state; [it is] all about football and everything. I got to keep the legacy going.”
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - In 2000, Tui Alailefaleula dominated on the Alaska gridiron as the state’s No. 1 recruit with 90 tackles and 18 sacks for the Bartlett Golden Bears. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year before going on to play four years at Division I’s University of Washington.
More than two decades later, his son, Niko, graduated from Bartlett in 2023 as Alaska’s top running back and currently plays for the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
Now enter one of this year’s most disruptive defensive players in the state, Niko’s younger brother and Golden Bears junior, Deuce Alailefaleula.
”I just want to go 100% and be like them,” Deuce said at a practice this week, speaking of his elder family members.
The 6-foot-1, 280-pound defensive lineman has bursts of speed not seen often with players his size. And college programs are beginning to take notice, with Deuce already receiving four college offers, including some from Division I programs.
On running plays, if Deuce isn’t initiating contact, he is often found in on the gang tackle. On passing plays, if he doesn’t sack the quarterback, he is often chasing him out of the pocket with the signal-caller running for his life.
And when Deuce isn’t shedding blocks, he’s making them on offense, often lining up as tight end, even catching a two-point conversion in Bartlett’s 32-13 win over South in Week 2.
Oh, and Deuce also lines up to boot the ball downfield as the team’s kickoff specialist.
As a sophomore, Deuce was among the best in two different sports. Last fall, he was named the Cook Inlet Conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. This spring, he was Alaska’s top shot-putter, ultimately winning the state shot put title. His throw of over 53 feet was nearly five feet further than the next competitor; he now has the state record in his sights.
His father, Tui, is on the Bartlett coaching staff, while his cousin plays alongside him.
”We’ve actually played all our high school years, middle school years and (Boys and Girls Club) years [together],” Simeon, a running back and safety for the Golden Bears, said.
When Simeon scored a rushing touchdown Friday to help propel Bartlett to victory, Deuce was the first player to celebrate with him in the end zone.
“What got me into football was family,” Simeon said. “Our last name is known all around the state; [it is] all about football and everything. I got to keep the legacy going.”
While both players provide different dynamics to Bartlett’s success on the field, Golden Bears head coach Traves Ramirez-Medeiros says they have similar traits off the field that separates them.
”They each have a work ethic that is unparalleled to most kids,” he said. “They elevate our program. What I mean by that is they sharpen the kids around them and make them elevate to play even more.”
Deuce and Simeon will have the remainder of this season, and all of their senior year to continue to cement their mark — and name — in Bartlett football history.
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