WesternWA notebook: Grizzly-bear Alaska brothers bring new growl to Eastside Catholic football
Cayden Pili, the 2024 Gatorade state player of the year from Dimond High School in Anchorage, and younger sibling, Braden, are all-3A Metro performers for WIAA championship contenders
Eastside Catholic’s coach Dominic Daste knew some retooling was in store this offseason after a sizable senior class graduated from last year’s Class 3A state-semifinalist team.
The program still had elite returning talent, led by middle linebacker Wassie Lugolobi, wide receiver Asa Thompson and emerging sophomore Tytan McNeal, one of the top tight end prospects in the country.
Then, one day, two mild-mannered brothers showed up to team activities. Nobody knew who they were.
But they would soon find out that Cayden and Braden Pili meant business.