Look-Alike Duo Patrols the Interior : Fullerton Linebackers Pack a Mean Left-Right Defensive Combination

Even with their helmets off, Mahe Liavaa and Keoni Manliguis look a lot alike.

The only obvious difference in their appearance is Liavaa’s mustache. Manliguis said he’d have one too--if he could grow one.

But with helmets and pads on, they become an almost identical pair of inside linebackers for Fullerton College--and a major headache for opponents.

Each is about 6 feet, 220 pounds. One plays the right side and the other the left. Then they switch. Both players will be in action at 7 tonight when Fullerton (1-0) travels to Cerritos for the Mission Conference opener against the Falcons (1-0-1).

The best way to separate Liavaa and Manliguis is by the numbers--but even that can be tricky. Liavaa wears No. 45, Manliguis No. 35.

If Liavaa begins a sentence, Manliguis will probably finish it. The same thing happens on the field: one might start a tackle but the other usually will be around to end it.

“These two guys are an awful lot alike,” said Jeff Jespersen, Fullerton’s defensive coordinator. “They are the best pair of inside linebackers I’ve had here (in 10 years). They have a really good rapport and are always smiling.”

No wonder Liavaa and Manliguis work so well together: They’re in their fourth year of practice together. As juniors and seniors, they started at Western High School, where they earned all-Orange League honors each year.

“When we first met each other in high school,” Liavaa said, “I just knew we would be good friends.”

Last season, both came to Fullerton College. Liavaa started right away. Manliguis was switched to outside linebacker but about halfway through the season, he was switched back to the inside and became a starter.

“I like it better on the inside,” Manliguis said. “The defense lets us do a lot of things, and it’s fun. Just being out there is enough to excite you.”

Liavaa was born in Samoa but moved to Southern California when he was 10. He went to Santa Ana High School as a freshman but his family moved to the Western district the next year.

Manliguis was born in Hawaii but his family moved to California soon afterward.

He made the varsity as a sophomore at Western while Liavaa was still on the junior varsity. But Manliguis’ first season was marred by injury. He missed most of the first seven games with various aliments then broke his elbow in a game and was out for the season.

As juniors, he and Liavaa were paired in the middle and have been together since.

“Those two are a pleasure to be around,” Fullerton Coach Hal Sherbeck said. “They are receptive and very coachable, and they don’t stand for mediocrity. We are very proud of their accomplishments together.”

Tonight’s games:

Fullerton (1-0, at Cerritos (1-0-1)--Cerritos was 1-10 last season, including a 33-0 loss to Fullerton. But this season, the Falcons already have defeated San Bernardino Valley, 42-20, and tied Taft, 21-21. Cerritos nearly beat Taft, but a last-second field-goal attempt was blocked.

Saddleback (0-0, 0-1) vs. Grossmont (0-0, 0-1) at Grossmont High School, 1:30 p.m.--Saddleback quarterbacks John Barnes and Jeff Bailey completed only 36% of their passes in a 17-7 loss to San Diego Mesa last week. As a result, the Gauchos switched to a rushing strategy, and John Burns gained 175 yards in 25 carries. Still, Saddleback needs to shore up its passing game to contend.

Rancho Santiago (0-0, 1-0) at San Diego City (0-0, 0-2)--Offense doesn’t appear to be a problem for Rancho Santiago, which had 462 yards in the 34-14 victory over Citrus. But Rancho Santiago didn’t score in the second half. City shouldn’t prove much of a problem as the Knights have been outscored, 80-17, in two games.

Orange Coast (0-0, 1-0) at El Camino (0-0, 1-0)--El Camino, picked to win the Northern Division, starts a series of three consecutive games with Orange County teams tonight. El Camino travels to Fullerton next week and hosts Golden West the following week. Orange Coast ran for 245 yards in the 32-14 victory over Rio Hondo, but defending the run is El Camino’s strong suit. The Warriors gave up only 65 yards in a 38-17 victory over Antelope Valley.