CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Two members of the Northeast football team have been selected to the TnFCA Coaches Class 5A All-State Team.
Eagle seniors Elijah Leaupepe and Gage Robinson each earned defensive honors for their exceptional on-the-field performances this season.
“Gage and Elijah are very deserving of being named to the TnFCA All-State Team,” said Northeast football coach Brandon Clark. “We were a very strong defensive team this year and those guys anchored it down. We will greatly miss both of these guys next year.”
Leaupepe finished the year with a team-high 58 total tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ because without him nothing would be possible,” Leaupepe said. “I’m very thankful and blessed for making the 5A All-State Team. I wouldn’t have done it without the help from my teammates and coaches.”
Leaupepe was also recently invited to play in the Blue-Grey Football All-American Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event helps prospects showcase their skills while increasing their chances of securing collegiate scholarships.
“As I look back on my senior season, I was motivated to play every game like it was my last,” Leaupepe said. “The season was unpredictable due to the challenges of the pandemic because there was always a possibility our season would end. After high school, I plan on playing football in college, but at the end of the day it’s all up to God. I’m just riding on faith and praying on what’s in store for me.”
Robinson was a disruptive force in many opposing backfields in 2020, leading the Eagles with nine sacks, 56 tackles and a fumble recovery.
“I feel honored that they selected me,” Robinson said. “I’m also happy Elijah made it. He definitely deserves the recognition. I’m glad my hard work and dedication didn’t go unseen. I worked really hard to lead my team and defense into the third round. Our whole defense was extremely talented from the defensive line all the way to the defensive backs. We had a great defensive coaching staff that knew where to put the right players. We all did our job and we made history my senior year.”
Clark knows filling the voids left from the exits of Leaupepe and Robinson next year will not be easy.
“Elijah was the type of middle linebacker that you want to have every year on your defense,” Clark said. “I often said that he built a wall in the middle of the defense for opposing offenses.
“Gage was a great leader by example and a blue-collar type player who did a tremendous job at defensive end for us. He was very balanced, good at run stopping and good at pass rushing.”