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The 2011 Tanoa Bowl Classic is in full swing and teams from Utah and Alaska came down to Auburn, Washington early in the week and began to set up camp. Now Oregon and Washington have joined them and things are in full swing.

Tomorrow will bring an end to 3 furious days of practices and Media Day and the Tanoa Bowl Banquet before the big games. What we know so far is that all of the teams are loaded. And we have a pretty good fix on the teams although team Alaska remains a fairly elusive squad to pin down just yet. But that will all change soon enough.

The teams battle in two great games on Saturday January 31st with Oregon and Alaska playing at 12:30 PM and Utah and Washington playing at 4:30 PM. Both games feature many of the top players in the States that they represent and these games appear to be extremely well matched with rosters you would be lucky to find in any All Star Game. Here a few notes so far.

Team Utah

If big fast and strong wins football games then this team was built to win a National Championship. Rolling in on their custom bus Team Utah is no joke. They are HUGE and have a roster of stars.

One of those guys is BYU Commit Rhett Sandlin who is a 6'3", 225 pound Line backer who can flat out fly. He showcased those skills today in a scrimmage that left opposing players in awe.

Austin Lee, also of Alta High, is a Utah commit who also made the trip and who as a DB had just a terrific day.

Alta also sent Shad Ennis (below right) who at 6'3" and 275 pounds in a highly recruited guard but was overwhelmingly tough today as a DT with a non-stop motor. He is among the very best DT we have seen all year and is a gem just waiting for his shot.

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Tavita Hafoka (6'2", 280 DT), Sione Makoni (East HS 6'0", 200 pound safety), Mason Gauske (RB and 10.9 10 M), Brian Engstrom (Alta RB), and Martavius Redmond (6'1", 185 Pound WR of West Jordan HS) are some other All State kids that are going to show what they have to collegiate scouts.

The team is explosive and looking to make a statement on this trip and boy are they a fired up rowdy bunch with a Haka that is going to be tough to beat. They are Coached by Pala Vaitu'u, Stuart Tua, Coach Eric Kjar of Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah They face Team Washington at 4:30 PM on New Years Eve Day ---------------

Team Washington

Now there was no way that the host State and defending Champs from the 2010 Tanoa Bowl are going to let up or roll over for Utah. No sir.

They are led by former Seattle Seahawk Manu Tuiasosopo and an All Star Staff and they went right to work this week. They will give Utah all they can handle and then some.

Team Washington is led by a dynamic duo from Clark County in SW Washington in Skyview Qb Kieran McDonagh and Union HS Running Back / Safety Brandon Brody Heim. Both have D-1 Offers and they are a potent pair.

Click Lakes High School has sent outstanding WR/SS JJ Njoku and D-1 recruit Zaheer Webb to the party as well as OL/DL Jevon Adams. Here to view this Link. Up front they feature one of the most intriguing kids we have seen in a long time in Center/GuardRob Fulilangi (right). Remember that name because at 6'5" and 335 pounds this New Zealand native and rugby player already fits the bill of a big time player. As the teams center he is not only a solid snapper but a road grader.

Other notables are Timothy Ah Hee (6'4", 265 Pounds from Lincoln HS DL), Andrew Toala (6'4"-295 Pounds Highline HS), Josh Schreffler (Cascade Christian LB), Anthony Segi (6', 240 Pound LB Ranier Beach), Rokko Gucake (6'3", 240 DE Kings), Perry Pimkin (6'3", 215 pound Wr Inglemoor HS), and West Seattle HS stud Nathan Ve'e.

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More to Follow on Oregon and Alaska

Team Utah's Almost complete Roster is here

Team Washington is here

More info and pics etc is at http://www.Tanoabowl.com