Injury may end season for three-star
Three-star linebacker/fullback Ina Liaina (6-0, 211, 4.66) from Oxnard (Calif.) Rio Mesa was off to a solid senior season, but was sidelined two weeks ago with an injured foot.
Unfortunately for Liaina, he could miss the rest of the season.
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"It was really unfortunate for us because Ina was playing well on both sides of the ball for us," Rio Mesa coach Bob Gregorchuk said. "An opposing player landed awkwardly on the foot and we don't know when he will be back.
"On defense Ina was really coming into his own," Gregorchuk said. "He was making his reads much better and was much improved from last season.
"Over the first two weeks of the season, Ina was averaging 15 tackles a game. Since then teams were game planning to stay away from him.
"As a fullback, Ina has been outstanding," Gregorchuk said. "In one game he scored three touchdowns and ran for 91 yards on only nine carries. He was leading our team in rushing before he was hurt.
On the recruiting front Liaina has offers on the table from Oregon State, San Diego State and Oregon State.
Liaina would like to hear from Hawai'i and they are his first choice at this time, but he's still very open to all schools.
"Ina lived in Hawai'i before he came to the mainland," Gregorchuk said. "He is very comfortable there.
"Ina wants to take his visits before making his decision," Gregorchuk said. "He hasn't been that many places so I think he wants to check some places out.
"Ina hasn't set up any visits because he was concentrating on his senior season and he just took his ACT. He just received his score back and he passed with a 23 ACT.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he starts setting up his visits.
Liaina earned first-team all-league and second team all-county honors from his linebacker position as a junior after racking up 86 tackles and two sacks.
From his H-back position he had 457 yards rushing and two touchdowns while averaging 8.7 yards per carry. As a receiver Liaina had 18 receptions for 337 yards and four receiving touchdowns while averaging 18.7 yards per catch.