Skyhawks get ground master De La Rosa

By Ramon Scott
Updated: July 31, 2017

De La Rosa / photo Top_Dawg Network

2017 EAST COUNTY FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE FOOTBALL STANDOUTS

By Ramon Scott

EastCountySports.com

LA MESA – Helix High grad BLAYKE TAEATAFA DE LA ROSA is a prototypical defensive tackle, which makes it either easy to notice him or difficult to notice him, depending on your perspective.

An immovable 6-foot, 285-pound object in the middle of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, De La Rosa was an All-San Diego CIF first team offensive lineman each of the last two seasons, as well as, an All-East County first team offensive selection in those years.

BLAYKE DE LA ROSA / photo Top_Dawg Network

He has played a critical role in the Highlanders’ illustrious success during his prep career, both on and off the field.

Lining up on the defensive front, De La Rosa rushes while anticipating. His study of the game and preparation is what has set him apart from most of his opponents.

Those responsible for his whereabouts certainly know where he is going to be even if fans don’t notice the big man until his work has been completed in the form of a tackle or sack.

Meanwhile, on the offensive front, he could appear to continue to be a natural at center, though he smashed defensive ends last year from left tackle.

De La Rosa had made it his young man’s passion to turn his love of the game into a collegiate football opportunity.

But as the start of school approached, the man who would seem to be a natural add to most any mid-level program wasn’t sure where he would cast his football future, something that has meant so much to him and that he has worked so hard for.

But that’s where another Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference program stepped in and likely gained another stellar recruit from the East County after Fort Lewis State got the word that De La Rosa had committed to playing more football and possibly follow his sports medicine aspirations as a student at the Division II school in Durango, Colo.