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LONG BEACH — La Habra’s Kevika Mata’utia-Martinez remembers feeling confused during the pandemic. Life at times, he thought, didn’t seem to make much sense, so he turned inward and researched his family’s culture.
It turned out to be an impactful decision.
Mata’utia-Martinez learned about his family’s traditions and values and developed a sense of pride that serves as a steady source of motivation.
La Habra’s football team has been one of the beneficiaries of his play as a running back and linebacker.
Highlanders coach Frank Mazzotta calls Mata’utia-Martinez’s two-way contributions a “huge” reason why La Habra has reached its first CIF Southern Section championship game since 2015.
The Highlanders (10-3) face San Jacinto (10-3) in the Division 4 final on Saturday at HCN Bank Stadium in Menifee at 7 p.m.
“He’s a tough kid,” Mazzotta said of Mata’utia-Martinez this week. “He’s a hard worker. What you see on the field, that’s his personality.”
In a 13-7 victory against Cathedral in the quarterfinals, La Habra turned to Mata’utia-Martinez for 28 carries as the teams played during a rainstorm. The 6-foot, 205-pound junior finished with a season-high 158 rushing yards.
He also recorded a season-high eight total tackles.
“Huge,” Mazzotta said of the contributions. “The rain game changed everything. We went from a team with three to four wideouts to three tight ends.”
Mata’utia-Martinez said he took a strong interest in his family’s background several years ago, around the time he was in the sixth grade.
On his social media profile, there’s a photo of him holding a Samoan flag. At the CIF-SS media luncheon this week, he wore traditional brown and white-colored Samoan shells.
The flag and shells pay tribute to his grandmother Leilani, who was born in Samoa.
“As a mixed kid, I have a lot different cultures that I attend to,” Mata’utia-Martinez said. “I’m Samoan. I’m Mexican as well, and I’m also Italian.”
Mata’utia-Martinez said he often talks to his grandmother, who attends the Highlanders’ games.
“She’s always giving me a pregame prayer and motivation,” he said. “She really helps me calm down before games, just take it all in. I’m always grateful for my grandma’s presence in my life.”
Mata’utia-Martinez leads the Highlanders in rushing (1,144 yards) and ranks second in touchdowns (10) and fourth in tackles (57).
He is quick to credit his offensive production to linemen Luis Dolphin, Noah Poppin, Julian Verduzco, Jacob Morales and Josh Holm.
Mata’utia-Martinez said he shares his family’s values of respect and unity with his teammates.
The qualities, he added, fit well with senior leaders such as Bobby Brooks, Poppin, Luke Hedgpeth and Morales, and junior quarterback DJ Mitchell.
“I try to spread those values and what I believe in,” Mata’utia-Martinez said. “Like when it comes to respecting our coaches. We kind of just have this brotherhood that I’m trying to bring, and (my teammates) all have been great this year. We really bonded this year, and that’s helped us get to this moment.”
Mata’utia-Martinez said he sees his family’s values in Mazzotta.
“Coach Mazzotta keeps our team so we’re not too low and we’re not too high,” he said. “Same emotions, just doing business.”