Mataio Olomua’s big heart powering a young Sandy football team in 2024

Published 6:31 pm Saturday, September 7, 2024

After a couple of successful years behind a talented 2024 senior class, Sandy High School football knew it was in for a bit of a youth movement this fall.

However, Mataio Olomua plans on making sure a drop isn’t going to happen. And don’t for a second mistake him for an underclassman.

The 5-foot-7, 175-pound running back/cornerback was everywhere in the Pioneers’ 38-13 season-opening win at Franklin on Sept. 6, a game that was moved to Portland after smoke in the Sandy area forced the relocation.

The change in venues was no distraction for Olomua, who ended the night with 15 carries for 118 yards and one rushing touchdown, along with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown.

And oh yeah, he played some big minutes on defense too, covering Franklin standout wide receiver Cash Landau at times.

“When you look at the guy, he’s not the biggest guy, but he has the biggest heart,” Sandy head coach Josh Dill said. “He puts so much work in in the offseason, he’s been my hardest worker three years in a row. The guy can lift, he grinds it out and this is what you get.”

Olomua didn’t have to do much grinding for his kickoff return touchdown, but it was sorely needed after the Pioneers fumbled away a punt and allowed Franklin to turn the game-opening drive into seven points.

After waiting to see if the ensuing kickoff would roll out of bounds, Olomua picked it up at his own 5-yard line, ran up the sideline and simply had to move around his blockers on his way to an untouched score.

“The ball bounced on the ground and I picked it up and it was just wide open,” Olomua said. “I didn’t have to make any moves, I just ran straight. The blocking was that good.”

A 2-point conversion put Sandy up 8-7 in a flash, and the Pioneers never looked back.

Fueling the win were also two pick-sixes: one being a 45-yard return by Mason Frederickson and the other coming in the second half by Caden McMahon from about 25 yards out.

“I’m proud, this year we got thrown a whole new defense at us,” McMahon said. “We lost a lot of seniors last year, so our sophomores are really stepping up and filling in on those positions. I’m really proud of how those boys stepped up.”

With two scores coming from special teams and defense in the first half, the Pioneers only ran 11 offensive plays in the first half, five of those being carries for Olomua.

He turned those five into 49 yards and helped set up a 74-yard touchdown pass from Micaiah Turin to Gracyn Fitch right before halftime to make it 25-7 Pioneers, who added a field goal earlier in the half.

In the second half, it was Olomua’s legs helping keep Franklin at bay as the strong-hearted senior constantly broke through arm tackles for positive yardage and first downs on the ground.

“Doesn’t surprise me, (Olomua) is a dawg, no one has worked as hard as this kid,” McMahon said. “He’s a funny guy, him and I are always in the weight room together. I’ve always looked up to him … He just never stops moving, he keeps moving those feet.”

A year ago, Franklin had one of the best offenses in the state, and it brought back plenty of playmakers.

However, outside of Landau, the Lightning struggled to move the ball through the air in part to Olomua locking down options. At least, when he did get his chances.

“(Olomua) is strong, he’s durable because he puts so much time in,” Dill said. “I have to fight with the defensive guys to get him off the field a little bit so I can hand him the ball a few times. He’s a special player and a special person and a good leader. I can’t wait to see his senior year, it’s going to look like this.”

Olomua and his senior class want to keep winning games, but at the same time, they understand they are being looked to help touch the younger players to keep the winning tradition alive and moving upwards.

“This senior class isn’t the biggest, but they sure have been committed, they’re all in and Mataio has been leading that charge alongside Ashton Culp at the center position,” Dill said. “I’m just really proud of them and to get that first win for them.”

Sandy will look to stay winning on the road when it takes the field again at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 against Hillsboro at Hare Field.

After an all-around team performance like the Pioneers laid against Franklin, Mataio and the crew will remain hungry for the chance to sing the fight song once again.

“One game at a time,” McMahon said. “Can’t get too confident with how things go. Just one game at a time, reset Monday and it’s a whole new week.”