Q&A Profile: Xyloh Kuresa

Xyloh Kuresa in his second period learning about Math just like any other school day. He is just listening, taking in knowledge. (Diego Aguilar/The Tower)

By: Diego Aguilar 

The Tower 

MANTECA- Huff, Huff, Huff 

That’s all you hear when you play against Xyloh Kuresa because he has a motor going on till the play is over. He has a hustle like no other with the Polynesian blood running through his veins, he always makes quarterbacks stand in fear with his menacing glare.  

Xyloh always pushed himself to be the best, even playing on varsity during his late freshman year. He was moved up both freshman and sophomore year to play in the playoffs for Manteca Highs varsity team. Thus, showing his hard work was not going unseen by the coaches.  

Xyloh has a vital role playing on the strong Manteca Buffaloes defense. He has played the defensive end position rushing from the edge, but this season there is going to be a slight difference. Xyloh will now be playing at the defensive tackle position rushing from inside. Although he plays a different position that doesn’t change nor mean he will be any less effective.  

Xyloh believes he will have a great senior season because during the offseason he strived to become the best version of himself on the field. For example, he attended multiple football camps and gained so much feedback to help him try to achieve his goal. 

Xyloh himself has stated “I believe that no one can block me.” He believes that because in practice, he is always in the offences backfield making the quarterback agitated and feel an immense amount of pressure. Xyloh always makes the person blocking him have a living hell of a time while he just laughs at you smiling and enjoying his opponents suffering. 

 Xyloh has a loud persona in his daily life which bleeds onto the field. That is simply the type of competitiveness Xyloh has due to the fact he despises the thought of losing. Because if you get one good rep on Xyloh he is going to try to make sure that’s the last one: taking it up to another level. 

After speaking with a couple of his teammates, all of them have the same thing to say about Xyloh. He is a dog on the field and in the weightroom. Almost after every practice Xyloh would get praised for his dedication by coaches. He has a hunger to try and make it to the next level going to camps talking to college coaches wanting to get his name around.  

The next source is one of Xyloh’s previous teammates who has played alongside him for three years, Angelo Gonzalez. He has nothing but good things to say about Xyloh. He truly believes that Xyloh is one of the best players on the Manteca High Buffaloes football team. Angelo Gonzalez had stated for verbatim “Without Xyloh our team would not be that good.” 

 During Xyloh’s junior season he injured his hand badly, so he was expected to miss a couple of weeks of football. Xyloh’s love for the game showed by his decision on getting a cast on his hand. He did not want to sit out and by this decision he was only able to miss one game. The cast did not slow him down nor show a hint of weakness. Xyloh played as if his life was on the line and did not want to lower his expectations of himself.  

Xyloh Kuresa still while in his second period discussing with classmates. He takes in and gives out knowledge to become a better student. (Diego Aguilar/The Tower)

Xyloh’s playing style shows his toughness and how dedicated he was not only to himself but his team. He did experience pain throughout many games because the cast does not completely protect his hand. Still, he persisted though it and strived to be best player he could while being injured.  

The Tower caught up with Xyloh Kuresa to discuss his heart for the game of football. 

D: Do you think anyone can block you  

Xy: I believe no one can block me 

D: Do you like competing at practice 

Xy: Yeah, but most of the linemen are easy to beat  

D: Are you planning on playing in the next level 

Xy: Yeah, for sure I’ve been trying to talk to coaches get connections 

D: Do you do well at camps 

Xy: I won a few trophies at different camps 

The Tower was also able to catch Angelo Gonzalez, a close friend of Xyloh’s, for a small interview 

D: How important is Xyloh to the Manteca Football team 

A: Without Xyloh our team would not be that good 

D: Do you think Xyloh can make it to the next level 

A: No doubt, with the way he works