Sondheimer: Santa Margarita linebacker Dash Fifita is a forceful presence

""It comes with the territory being an undersized linebacker, you have to know the game inside and out," he said."

""Family is a huge part of their inspiration," Thomas said. "You can see how they play. They're playing for their teammates. They're playing for God. I don't see many linemen getting their hands on him very often. The brothers are very similar. They lay it on the line. He's going to put his body on the line to represent his family and team.""

""I have the best defensive line in the nation and it makes my job easy," Fifita said."

Dash Fifita is a 5-foot-9, 195-pound All-Southern Section linebacker for Santa Margarita High who consistently outmaneuvers 300-pound offensive linemen. His smaller size demands deep football knowledge and relentless effort to make tackles. A brother, Noah, proved at Arizona that a 5-10, 186-pound player can play quarterback at the college level. Family plays a central role in motivation and preparation, with an uncle serving as the school's defensive coordinator and a father involved in local youth football. More than fifty relatives are expected for the CIF Open Division state championship against unbeaten Concord De La Salle at Saddleback College. A dominant defensive line complements Fifita's play and eases his responsibilities.

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