Page 9 - Mid Valley Times 9-3-20 E-edition

Former Reedley College football player Holani dies
Thursday, September 3, 2020
MVT Staff Report
Former Reedley College football player Tanikeni “Isi” Holani, who later played at the University of Kansas, died on Aug. 22. He was 24 years old.
Tanikeni "Isi" Holani
No cause of death was given. Holani returned to his native Hawaii after com- pleting his career at Kansas in 2018. He graduated that May with a degree in lib-
eral arts and sciences, and played three season at defensive tackle for the Jay- hawks under then-coach David Beatty
“I’m truly lost for words, just ... doesn’t seem real,” former KU defen- sive lineman Daniel Wise tweeted on Aug. 23. “My great friend Isi Holani was called home early yesterday. He was a true warrior, a great man, friend and brother. Always in good spirits, and full of life! Love you bro.”
“Myself and the Kansas football family are saddened by the loss of one of our very own. He was a great mem- ber of our program and will always be remembered for his dedication to the Jayhawks. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. May you Rest In Peace, Isi Holani,” current Kansas head coach Les Miles said.
Holani registered 34 tackles and 4.5 sacks, including a forced fumble, in his lone season at Reedley College in 2014 under coach Randy Whited. He then transferred to Riverside City College in 2015 and helped lead the team to a conference title and spot in the South- ern California Regional Championships. The native of Kaumana, Hawaii, was a standout for the Hilo High Vikings.
During his Kansas career, Holani ap- peared in 17 games, registering 23 ca- reer tackles and 2.0 sacks.
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
In a delayed season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sanger Apaches football team must wait until Jan. 7 for their first matchup, an away game against Clovis High.
Apache opponents for upcoming football season
Dinuba's Acevedo to play at Simpson University
MVT Staff Report
Though fall schedules for Sanger High School are still being finalized for this unprecedented year of sports, a list of opponents the Apaches foot- ball team will face this school year has been released.
Due to setbacks caused by the CO- VID-19 pandemic, the Apaches will need to wait until next year to face their first opponent in football. That opponent will be Clovis High as Sanger travels north to take on the Division 1 Cougars in their first game of the sea- son. The game is tentatively set for Jan. 7, with a 7 p.m. kick off.
The only other games with tenta-
tive scheduled dates are a Jan. 29 matchup with Lemoore High at home and a season finale away game against league rival San Joaquin Memorial on Mar. 19.
Other opponents include non- league games against Fresno High, Clovis East and Lemoore High at home and an away game against Acalanes High of Lafayette, Ca.
The upcoming league schedule will consist of an away game at Edison, fol- lowed by two consecutive home games against Madera and Bullard High. The Apaches will then close the season with an away game at Madera South and San Joaquin Memorial.
Photo Contributed
Former Lady Emperor standout softball player Jordynn Acevedo will be taking her dia- mond skills to play for Simpson University in Redding, Ca.
Lady Emperors' standout catcher was hitting .438 before pandemic ended season
MVT Staff Report
Dinuba High softball standout Jor- dynn Acevedo is headed to Simpson University in Redding to continue her athletic career.
This past season, Acevedo was off to a hot-start for the Lady Emperors soft- ball team, batting .438 with 11 RBI’s and six runs before the season was called due to the pandemic.
A four-year varsity player, Acevedo,
starred as a catcher closing out her ca- reer with a .358 average with 87 hits, 52 RBIs and 34 runs. In 2019, she had a .360 average for Dinuba who finished the season with a 24-7 record and were Division III section runner-ups.
Simpson University has dual mem- bership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAOA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
Velarde nets assist in Pittsburgh SC victory
MVT Staff Report
Reedley’s Angthony Velarde picked up an assist for the Pittsburgh River- hounds SC, who moved into first place in the United Soccer League’s Group F standings with a 3-0 shutout of Hartford Athletic on Aug. 28 in Connecticut.
Velarde set up the team’s first goal in the 11th minute, taking a pass in the left side and dropping a pass off to Ryan James for a shot into the bottom right corner of the net. James later scored in the 50th minute, and with Danny Grif-
fin’s first-half score the Riverhounds (6- 3-1) moved three points ahead of Hart- ford in the group standings.
Pittsburgh coach Bob Lilley praised Velarde’s work in the midfield, with Lil- ley saying Velarde along with Robbie Mertz and Griffin worked hard to de- fend the midfield. Velarde started and played until he was subbed out in the 82nd minute.
The Riverhounds hosted Loudon United FC on Sept. 1, and will travel to New York to take on Red Bull II on Sat- urday, Sept. 5.
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