Thousands of Miles for Columbus Football

by Kingston Rust

On most Friday nights, the spotlight gravitates toward the players who score touchdowns or make game-changing catches. But sophomore offensive lineman La Swallavi, better known around campus as “Deuce,” is building his reputation far from the glamour that typically defines high school football. For him, the real work happens long before the stands fill and the lights turn on.

Deuce has a clear vision of why he grinds the way he does.

“I picture myself being in the NFL, giving back to my family, retiring my parents, and letting them live a carefree life,” he says.

That goal fuels his approach to every rep, and coaches notice it. They call him a “big baby” in the sense that he is still growing into his frame, but the excitement they see in him and the potential is unmistakable. Whether it is early-morning drills or extra conditioning after practice, Deuce commits himself to the kind of effort most people will never witness.

His path to Columbus was not simple. To chase football seriously, he left his home in Hawaii and moved more than 5,000 miles away, a leap that would challenge even the most seasoned athletes.

“One thing I miss the most about home is not seeing my family every day in person. They always tell me to remember my ‘why,’ what they sacrificed for me to be out here, and that’s what keeps me going,” he says.

And his coaches notice the sacrifice.

"The price he paid to be here is that he's taking time from his family that he'll never get back with the ultimate goal of bettering his family one day. To do that at 15 years old, 16 years old, it's never easy," says his offensive line coach, Jason Hill.

Despite the distance, his family remains a constant presence, offering encouragement and reminders to trust God and stay locked in before every game.

While offensive linemen rarely receive the spotlight, their work shapes every offensive play. Deuce embraces that reality. He does not need the ball in his hands to feel the importance of his role. Every successful drive is proof of the impact he makes in the trenches.

At only 15, Deuce is learning what it means to sacrifice comfort for opportunity. His story reflects a truth often overlooked in sports. Greatness often begins in the unseen spaces: the weight room, the practice field, the moments when no one is watching.

For Deuce, each snap is another step toward his dream and another way to honor the people who gave him the chance to pursue it.