Interview: Banning 2018 All-Around ATH Sultan Moala Ready to Impress again in 2016

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A very young but talented Banning team took the field in 2015 taking their lumps the hard way but came out the other side a grizzled veteran group. The Pilots (Wilmington) are young yet again in 2016 but have some standout returning talent ready to exact some revenge this year with Sultan Moala helping lead that charge.

Moala is that prototypical all-around athlete that every high school seems to have on the roster. That one guy the coaches can put just about anywhere and he will turn in plays while filling up the stat sheet. During his sophomore season, Moala lined up at strong safety and linebacker for the Pilots and got time on offense at running back. Moala showed out rushing for 322 yards off 56 totes with nine touchdowns adding a 39-yard touchdown reception to his reel. On defense the California talent dropped 78 ball carriers with 46 of those stops being of the solo nature.

The 5’11”, 191 pound, athlete enters his junior year ready to turn the Marine League upside down while giving college coaches another good reason to head to their yard on Fridays. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Moala getting the inside story on his junior season while receiving an update on his off-season workouts.

Interview

Sultan, were you prepared for all the work you put in heading into your sophomore season?

“I did. Our defensive coordinator, I’ve been playing for him since youth league, told me that I would have a big role this year and to be ready for it.”

How would you describe yourself as a running back?

“I’m more of a downhill runner. I can give defensive backs a shaky-shaky from time to time. I can receive the ball really well. I know our offensive coordinator (John Aponte) depends a lot on me. I get the job done either pounding it or breaking one. I can do both.”

What is your mentality on defense?

“At strong safety I have that linebacker mentality. At strong safety it is natural for me to come down on screens and runs to make plays.”

Which do you like better, playing offense or defense?

“I think I am more of a defensive player. I enjoy hitting people.”

Spoken like a true defensive player. Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last year?

“I as first team All-League at strong safety.”

Have you set any team or personal goals for the 2016 season?

“For my personal goals, I want to be the Defensive Player of the Year for the City and lead my team in tackles. My team goal, I want to take our team to Sacramento for state.”

How will you be utilized on offense this year?

“I will for sure get more carries this year. Our head coach who is our OC, has worked me in at quarterback in the Wildcat offense. He is working me in some at receiver too. I will get the ball more this year than last year.”

With all that you will be doing during your junior campaign, what have you been working on during the off-season to prepare?

“This off season I have been working on getting my speed up. My explosiveness is something I have been working on a lot this offseason.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you have posted this summer?

“I did not like my time at the Nike Opening in Los Angeles. That’s when I started working on improving my speed. After the Nike camp I posted a 4.6.”

Have you maxed out in any of the football lifts this summer?

“My power clean was 240, my bench was 245, and my squat was 415.”

Very nice. Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“I did. I went to a Washington State satellite camp at Cathedral High School.”

How did the camp go for you?

“It was really good. Before the camp their linebackers coach, Coach (Ken) Wilson, came by to the school to talk to me. I have a really nice relationship with him. They are looking at me for linebacker not as a safety.”

What did you do well at the camp?

“My times were pretty decent. I did well in the one-on-ones. I think I dominated in that.”

Other than Washington State, which other schools are showing interest in you right now?

“Nevada has come by the school a couple of times to talk to me. I have an offer from Kentucky Christian.”

How did your sophomore year in the classroom end up?

“Everything went well in the classroom. My first semester my GPA was around a 3.4. I think I finished at a 3.2.”

Have you started making plans to take the ACT or SAT yet?

“My coach has been getting on me to take it. I’m planning on taking it in December or sometime in the winter.”

How does the team look heading into fall camp?

“Our team looks really good. Last year we were building. We will surprise a lot of people this year.”

What are the strengths of this year’s football team?

“Our defense is looking really-really good. We have Jimmy Ma’Aele-Langford at outside linebacker (2017). He should have a great year. Our offense is coming along. Our coaches are great. We are putting all of that work together.”

Are there any games you are excited to play this year?

“San Pedro – for sure. We play them in the Coliseum. That game will allow us to showcase our talents and it will be televised. Narbonne is another one. We are always excited to play Narbonne. They have a lot of national recruits. Another opportunity to showcase what I can do.”

Sultan, thanks again for your time today and good luck with the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: youtube.com; No. 5 Sultan Moala receives a handoff.

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 5 Sultan Moala cuts down a ball carrier.