PHOENIX – After transferring from a top-10 Football high school in California, senior two-way lineman Sifita Kakau has wreaked havoc on both sides of the ball since coming to Camelback. 

Kakau transferred from Union Grove High School in 2024 because his Pastor grandfather was called to Phoenix to preach. Since he moved, Kakau has racked up big numbers - he had 86 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks through 14 games. Spartans coach Dante Foster calls him a “monster.”

“I can’t say enough about how thankful we are,” Foster said. “He’s been a really big game changer. Kakau’s honed in on our program and understands what our team needs. He’s a great kid.” 

When Kakau saw the team needed another offensive lineman, he stepped up to play both sides of the ball. Foster said he’s filled in the gaps and strengthened the lines, even with limited experience on the offensive side of the ball.

“I was a defensive player at Grant Union (high school), but I saw that my team didn’t have a great offensive line position,” Kakau said. “I had coaching for the offensive line and had limited experience, and I asked my brother if he could coach me. He was a great lineman who played here last year with me.”

In California, Kakau said the play style is more aggressive, and the players are bigger compared to Arizona. He credited his growth to practicing against Alani Noa, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound offensive lineman who now starts for the USC Trojans.

“I feel like both programs have contributed to my success,” Kakau said. “(Noa) definitely got me better every day, and I love to see more aggression, especially in practices.”

Kakau’s growth has been a big help for the team, but specifically with the younger linemen. Spartans line coach Johnathan Matthews called him a “technician,” whether it’s perfecting his craft or showing the underclassmen the ropes.

“If I’m giving somebody special attention, he’s on the side helping everybody else,” Matthews said. “He takes a lot of weight off me, and watches film like he’s a coach.” 

Kakau isn’t the most vocal leader, Matthews said, but Kakau leading by example is perfect because he’s a fierce, aggressive athlete.

“He can get these guys fired up during practice, which usually correlates to us working well as a group on Friday nights,” Matthews said. “On game time, he can set the edge; he gets a good pash rush off the edge. We can move him to the interior, and he’ll split double teams. You really can’t scheme against him, you've got to play away from him.” 

Teams have struggled scheming against Kakau this year. He is currently fifth in the 5A Metro Region in tackles and sacks, all coming in non-regional games. Foster said he’s become more disciplined as a player but also as a human.

“I can’t speak enough about his character because he’s become a high-disciplined kid with amazing integrity,” Foster said. “Last year, he had a lot of teams focusing on containing him, and he did things he didn’t have to. This year, he’s done a great job listening to the coaches and does a great job with pass-protection.” 

“Coach Foster has taught me how to be more mature,” Kakau said. “I got ejected from a game last year, and he toughened me up after that and taught me a lot about being a player and a man.” 

The senior offensive lineman has five offers to play College football at three NAIA schools and two Division 3 schools.