SAN BERNARDINO >> Aquinas High School senior Malili Asiata was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia until landing at the San Bernardino-area school in 2023.

While Asiata had very little knowledge about American football, he still showed enough potential as a junior to earn a football scholarship to the University of Utah.

What the 6-foot-6, 360-pound Asiata said he likes most about football is the camaraderie with his teammates.

“Our first scrimmage was against Servite, and losing was the worst feeling,” he said. “It made me realize that this was a different atmosphere. I got hyped up and realized that this is a brotherhood. I wasn’t used to that.”

Asiata said he had no direct experience with American football, but he was familiar with rugby and a version of football called Gridiron.

“My cousin, Jermaine McGhee, played gridiron in Australia and got me involved,” Asiata said. “At first, I didn’t see the point of it.”

At that point Asiata may not have realized this U.S. version was a big deal in college and might be a career. He did catch the eye of former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu, who earned four Super Bowl rings during a 15-year NFL career.

Aquinas assistant coach Cesar DeMarco has a connection to Sapolu, and Asiata was introduced to head coach Jordan Brusig, who starts his 10th year as the Falcons’ leader.

Brusig’s eyes were impressed, but there was still some teaching required. Asiata didn’t know how to use his arms and hands well. His experience with basketball and gridiron made using footwork an easy transition.

Aquinas finished with a 7-4 record in 2023, winning the Ironwood League championship before losing a first-round CIF-SS Division Group 5 playoff game to Foothill.

The Falcons lost to two strong teams, Oak Hills and Serra Catholic, to begin 2023. Aquinas will face those two powers to start this year, opening on the road at Oak Hills on Aug. 23.

Asiata is optimistic about the 2024 season for Aquinas, which has won five CIF Southern Section titles in its history.

“We have many leaders, and I feel more confident than last year,” Asiata said. “It feels like we have more talented younger players. We are ready to play for one another and strive for a better season.”

The Falcons have quarterbacks Malachi James and Charlie Reyes, running backs Jusyis “Jojo” Solis and Champ Brown, and linemen T. J. Matatamua and Senita Kalavi.

Aquinas is big on tradition. Brusig said only one of the assistant coaches did not attend Aquinas. One of the traditions is the “Run Up Sterling,” where athletes and alumni run north on Sterling Avenue for two miles until they can see the stadium.

“We got up at 5:30 in the morning and there were already five alumni waiting for us and ready to go,” Brusig said.

Brusig and assistant coach George Agnostopoulos played for Aquinas during the 2000s and are an example of teammates who become lifelong friends. Brusig graduated Aquinas in 2005, and Agnostopoulos completed school three years earlier.

Asiata selected Utah because he saw some of the veteran players and thought he could see himself being in that position.

“I saw how everyone became better and thought ‘Maybe that could be me’,” Asiata said.

— George Alfano

OTHER INLAND OFFENSIVE LINEMEN TO WATCH THIS SEASON

Isaac Adams, Sr. Cajon: 6-foot-5, 280-pounder earned first-team all-Citrus Belt League honors last year.

Carson Bahruth, Jr., Bonita: 6-foot-2, 290-pounder was a CIF Southern Section Division 5 first-teamer.

Jose Beltran, Sr., Hillcrest: 6-foot, 275-pounder is a third-year starter and all-River Valley League pick.

Elisha Faamatuainu, Jr., Murrieta Valley: 6-foot-5, 300-pounder already getting looks from top colleges.

Cole Fuller, Sr., Chaparral: 6-foot-1, 290-pounder is a returning start who has committed to Cal Poly.

Drew Hill, Sr., Centennial: 6-foot-3, 265-pounder and SMU commit was an all-Big West Conference pick.

Giovani Jandres, Sr., Tahquitz: Returning center for the Titans is one part of a veteran group of linemen.

Aaron Montes, Sr., Roosevelt: 6-foot-3, 260-pounder heads into fourth year starting on the offensive line.

Joseph Murillo, Sr., Jurupa Hills: 6-foot, 245-pound center was an all-CIF selection for section champions.

Drew Nichols, Sr., Murrieta Valley: 6-foot-5, 270-pounder and all-CIF pick has committed to Michigan State.

Joel Nunez, Sr., Ramona: 6-foot-1, 320-pounder helped the Rams win section and state titles last season.

Roman Ponce, Sr., Upland: 6-foot-1, 250-pound tackle was selected to the all-Baseline League first team.

Liam Porter, Sr., Chaparral: 6-foot-3, 295-pounder is a returning starter who has committed to Davidson.

Ryan Rodriguez, Sr., Norte Vista: 6-foot-2, 290-pounder has been starting on the line since freshman year.

Caleb Rye, Jr., Ontario Christian: 6-foot-5, 305-pounder was chosen for the Ironwood League first team last year.

Sean Saavedra, Sr., Cajon: 6-foot-4, 300-pounder earned first-team all-CIF and Citrus Belt League honors.

Daniel Shipp, Sr., Centennial: 6-foot-6, 275-pound tackle had strong offseason and committed to Minnesota.

Jacob Stewart, Sr., Ayala: 5-foot-10, 245-pound tackle is a third-year starter on a veteran group of linemen.

Cooper Suess, Sr., Los Osos: 5-foot-11, 225-pounder was an all-CIF Southern Section first teamer last year.

CJ Tautolo, Sr., San Jacinto: 6-foot-1, 265-pounder also will make a significant impact on defensive side of the ball.

Jayden Veliz, Sr., Colony: 6-foot-4, 280-pounder returns at left tackle after earning all-league honors last year.

Malik White, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga: 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle is a rising prospect who is collecting offers.

— Eric-Paul Johnson