Alphonzo Tuputala (11) and the University of Washington Huskies hope to snag a national title.
By Tim Clinton
Visions of a Sugar Bowl win dance in the heads of Federal Way graduate Alphonzo Tuputala and the University of Washington football team.
The Huskies carry a 13-0 overall record and No. 2 national ranking into the 5:45 p.m. New Year's Day clash with the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in New Orleans.
The winner advances to play whoever wins the No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama Rose Bowl matchup for the national championship at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8 in Houston.
"It's another good opportunity to play a team that has had a good season," Tuputala said of the Sugar Bowl against Texas. "Just everybody doing our job and communication."
Tuputala has definitely been doing his job as a starting linebacker for the Dawgs.
The 6-foot, 2-inch and 240-pound senior now in his fifth season has gotten in on 59 tackles this year, amassing 33 solo tackles and 26 assists through the Pac-12 championship victory over Oregon.
He also more than did his job in lettering three seasons at Federal Way under head coach John Meagher, being named to the Associated Press Class 4A state first team at linebacker as a senior.
That was one of many awards he earned with the Eagles, but what he remembers most fondly in his high school career is the well-attended games against Todd Beamer.
"Every Todd Beamer game was fun, particularly my sophomore year," Tuputala said. "It was the true Friday Night Lights game I've been in."
Tuputala was considered the No. 9 recruit in the state overall coming out of high school.
"I got offers from a lot of small schools," he said. "But once I got an offer from the UW it was a no brainer."
Now the Huskies are in the national playoffs in their second year under head coach Kalen DeBoer, this season's Associated Press Coach of the Year.
"Coach DeBoer is doing a good job coming in here with the culture," Tuputala said.
Tuputala is enjoying the opportunity to play for the national title.
"It's all on us at the end of the day," he said. "It's us doing our job. Hopefully God is on our side. Just do our job and let Him decide."
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