Roman Pulefaasisina Led Sunrise Mountain Turnaround
The 285-pound champion brings wrestling grit to a 5-1 season heading into Friday’s game against Del Sol.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Wrestling
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Sunrise Mountain senior Roman Pulefaasisina has transformed the Miners’ football program after a winless 2024 campaign. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound lineman currently leads the state in sacks as his team prepares to face Del Sol.
Why it matters
A victory over Del Sol this Friday would secure a top-two finish in the Division III East League for the Miners. This positioning grants the team eligibility for the Division III Superintendents Cup crossover games.
Pulefaasisina has recorded 11 sacks this season and 55 career tackles for loss. His team holds a 5-1 record heading into their next matchup.
The players
Roman Pulefaasisina
A senior lineman for Sunrise Mountain who is committed to San Diego State.
Patrick Achord
The head coach of the Sunrise Mountain football team since 2025.
The details
Pulefaasisina, a committed San Diego State recruit, utilizes his background as a Class 4A wrestling state champion in the 285-pound weight class to anchor the Miners on both sides of the ball. The senior has helped revitalize the program following a 0-10 finish last year. Head coach Patrick Achord, who took over in 2025, looks to the Friday night matchup against Del Sol to determine the team's postseason path.
Timeline
2023: Sunrise Mountain reached the 4A state championship game.
2024: The team finished with a 0-10 season record.
2025: Patrick Achord was named head coach.
October 2, 2026: The team prepares for their Friday night game against Del Sol.
Beyond the Strip
The team is currently rebuilding its reputation after reaching the 2023 4A state championship game. This season marks a stark reversal from their winless 2024 performance.
Fans planning to attend Friday night's game against Del Sol should expect significant traffic near the school. The result of this matchup will determine if the Miners move on to the Superintendents Cup.
The takeaway
The Miners are now a top contender in their league after a period of instability. Keep an eye on the outcome of Friday’s game against Del Sol to see if they secure their spot in the crossover tournament.
Further reading
For more on student-athlete performance and local league developments, visit Wrestling.
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