Posted: Nov 27, 2024

Lindheim Earns Coach of the Year as 14 Players Selected to All-League Team

2024 National Northern All-League Team

TORRANCE, Calif. --- Head coach Gifford Lindheim was named the 2024 National Northern League Coach of the Year and 14 players were named to the All-National Northern League Team, it was announced Wednesday.

Lindheim earned his second SCFA Coach of the Year award at ECC and seventh overall. The Warriors went 7-3 during the regular season and 6-1 in league play to clinch the Warriors' first league title and SCFA Regionals berth since 2018.

Along with Lindheim, the Warriors had 14 players selected to the All-League team with seven players making the first team and seven appearing on the second team.

FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS (TWO OFFENSIVE, FIVE DEFENSIVE)

Joshua Long, Tight End: The freshman tight end had 22 catches for 253 yards on the season, averaging 11.5 yards per catch. He led the Warriors with five receiving touchdowns this season.
Leivi Semaia, Offensive Line: Semaia played and started in all 10 games during the regular season on the offensive line for the Warriors. It's the second straight season Semaia has played every game on the line for the Warriors.
Jaggar Tavai, Defensive Tackle: Tavai played in eight games for the Warriors during the year on the defensive line. He was tied for second on the team with four sacks and had 20 total tackles including eight tackles for a loss. In addition to the defense, Tavai was like a mack truck for the Warriors on offense in goal-line situations. He had 11 rushing attempts this year for just 14 yards but was tied for the team lead in total touchdowns with seven on the season.
Kaleb McCutcheon, Linebacker: In his first season at ECC, McCutcheon played in nine games during the regular season and was second on the team with 68 tackles (33 solo). He also added two sacks and five tackles for a loss on the year.
Ky'yin Arrington, Linebacker: For the second straight season, Arrington played in every regular season game for the Warriors. This season, he led the team with 72 total tackles and 43 solo tackles. He also added 5.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and an interception.
Elijah Brown, Cornerback: Brown had a solid freshman campaign for ECC during the regular season. He had five interceptions, which tied him for 10th on the ECC All-Time Single Season interceptions list. In addition, Brown recorded seven pass break-ups and was fifth on the team with 32 total tackles.
Damonte Bias, Kick Returner: Bias played in seven games this year and led the Warriors with 364 kick-return yards on 12 chances.

SECOND TEAM SELECTIONS (THREE OFFENSIVE, FOUR DEFENSIVE)

Aufaga Peapea, Center: The Warriors' center played in eight games this season to help anchor an offensive line that helped produce 1,692 rushing yards.
Charlie Adams, Offensive Line: Adams played in nine games this regular season for the Warriors. The Warriors offense put up 3,823 total yards during the regular season.
*Elijah Holmes, Wide Receiver: The freshman was second on the team with 26 receptions during the regular season. He racked up 366 receiving yards and was tied for second on the team with four receiving touchdowns.
Brett James, Safety: The freshman played in all 10 games for the Warriors during the regular season. He was third on the team with 46 total tackles and 32 solo tackles. He also recorded two interceptions on the season.
Cooper Dileva, Punter: The sophomore handled both the kicking and the punting for the Warriors this year after focusing solely on kicking as a freshman. During the regular season, Dileva had 44 punts for 1,730 yards, a 39.3 yards per punt average. He had 16 punts land inside the 20.
*Thomas Liava'a, Defensive End: Liava'a played in nine games during the regular season and led the team with 4.5 sacks. He finished the regular season with six tackles for a loss and 25 total tackles with one forced fumble.
Latrell Cannon, Utility: Cannon finished with 40 total tackles including 21 solo efforts. He had one interception, 3.5 tackles for a loss and five pass breakups on the season.

*-Indicates wild-card selection.