Big sky baller

Tonga Takai wanted to play football at Montana, but had to turn the Grizzlies down.

"They didn’t have any scholarships and wanted me to walk on, but I had to tell them I couldn’t," Takai said. "I couldn’t afford it."

Takai graduated from Damien in 2010 and was preparing to start his college football career in Texas at Mt. San Antonio College when the Grizzlies called him again.

This time, they had a scholarship for him.

"It came out of nowhere," Takai said.

Takai’s destination changed from a football hotbed in Texas to Missoula, Mont., where he quickly learned fans are just as rowdy and hungry for football there as they are down south.

Takai has spent his entire time in school making sure the coaching staff didn’t regret offering him a scholarship at the last minute.

His hard work was rewarded this week when he was voted as the recipient of the Larry Miller Award, given to the Grizzlies’ best defensive lineman, at the team banquet on Sunday. Tuesday, he was named to the All-Big Sky Conference first team at defensive tackle.

Takai has started 11 games for Montana this season and set career highs in tackles (44), tackles for loss (six) and sacks (31⁄2).

He’s played in at least 11 games in three consecutive seasons.

"I came here trying to take advantage of the opportunity I was given, which was a big motivational thing for me to give it all I got and leave it out there," Takai said. "I feel like I have. It’s been a good career for me."

Takai’s senior day was on Saturday in a pivotal showdown against rival Montana State.

The Grizzlies were ranked 13th in the FCS Top 25, one spot behind the Bobcats. The winner would likely land in the FCS playoffs, with the loser out.

Takai made five tackles and recorded a sack in the 34-7 win, but also got his hands on the ball, a rarity for the 6-foot-2 305-pounder. In his 41st game at Montana, he recorded his first interception.

"I still kind of can’t believe it happened," Takai said. "It was just a screen and I felt it and actually, I don’t really remember what happened when I watched it on film, but I read it perfectly.

"Basically they threw it right at me. I only got a couple of yards (on the return), but I was more just surprised I actually caught the ball."

The Grizzlies will host San Diego in the first round of the FCS playoffs, giving Takai another chance to play in front of a fan base that has really helped him enjoy his time at Montana.

"Montana has actually grown on me a lot and I see it as my second home now," Takai said. "I do feel very comfortable here and the fans are very loyal. They are one of the main reasons I love it here. Everyone supports the football program and game days are just crazy. I definitely don’t regret any of it."

TONGA TAKAI
School: Montana
Class: Senior
Height: 6-feet-2
Weight: 305 pounds
Position: DT
High school: Damien (2010)