’29 defender played five (5) varsity games and made plays
Ike Tupai played in five (5) varsity games all year. Tupai was credited with six (6) stops and a fumble recovery. Perhaps one of his better individual performances all year came in the game against Fort Knox in The Army Bowl. Tupai had two (2) tackles in that one game. The Army Bowl pits the only two Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) high schools in the United States against the other. There is something to be said about showing up when it counts. Here’s to hoping Tupai can build off that high water mark and deliver much more production this coming season. Lord knows, with the loss of Perryman and Dixon to graduation, the Falcons will be able to use the added playmaker.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
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Oak Grove, KY: We’ve been kind of reliving the ’25 season this offseason. If you’re a Falcon fan, player, or coach there is little doubt The Army Bowl is a game you look forward to either coaching, playing, or watching each and every year. For the two schools competing it is arguably the game of the year.
Marshall Patterson
The Army Bowl is special for both teams. It pits against the other the only two Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) high schools in the United States.
Ike Tupai was a freshman LB in 2025 and is a kid about to embark on his sophomore season. Tupai saw varsity action in only five games in 2025 making six (6) tackles and recovering a fumble.
One of Tupai’s better games was in The Army Bowl against Fort Knox. As discussed, pretty big darn game for any Fort Campbell Falcon or Fort Knox Eagle for that matter. Tupai registered a pair of stops in that game.
Tupai recovered a fumble against the Caldwell County Tigers. Caldwell was the winner of the game that night, 49-12, and was a six (6) game winner in 2025 and poised to do even better in 2026.
The Falcons won The Army Bowl, 55-18. In the end, the final margin was somewhat indicative of the difference between the two programs.
Nick Covin has been brought in from the middle school ranks to close the gap. He will lead Fort Knox into the ’26 football season.
We will need many more efforts of the sort from the Tupai(s) on a roster without the two all-timers set to graduate this Spring. JaCaryous Perryman and KeShawn Dixon have exhausted their HS eligibilities.
The Falcons will have to find that production in other places. The Falcons will have to find some production provided by other people.
Tupai is a guy to whom the Falcons may look. While we don’t know Tupai’s measurements exactly, we know him to be an accomplished athlete who has demonstrated play-making ability and a “nose for the football.”
While Tupai may be a bit on the “smallish” side from a frame standpoint, this kid has loads of courage and loads of knowledge concerning winning leverage battles.
That aside, Tupai was a reliable defender for the Falcons a year ago, especially among the freshmen, and showed very well in practice. Tupai figures to be squarely in the mix next Fall.
We would like to see Tupai get more than the five (5) games of run he got in 2025 when 2026 arrives. We expect to get this wish granted and in spades.
As a coach tearing up 4A has told us, and he has won numerous championships at that level, “play your players.” That is good advice at 4A, 5A, & 6A. That is a fact of life at 1A, 2A, & 3A.
KHSAA statistical site
Tupai made a pair of varsity tackles against Fort Knox and recovered a fumble against Caldwell
Tupai is playing for a coach, in Henry Mitchell, who was on some very successful staffs as an assistant and has the right pedigree to rebuild the Falcons. So far, Coach Mitchell is doing a fine job.
Another aspect at coaching in High School at which Mitchell is flourishing is finding “Next Level” homes for his talent. Mitchell had several players sign with college football programs from off of last year’s team and will look to add to that illustrious pantheon of players from off the ’26 edition.
Tupai, to us, looks like a “next level” guy at some level. Of course, some of that depends on his undergoing some radical physical transformation this offseason before a big sophomore season upcoming. Mitchell is certainly a guy who can get Tupai there.
Developing talent is critical among high school coaches in today’s world. With what college tuition runs these days, guys like Mitchell, who will work hard to achieve a player’s talent (and not his own check book) picking up most of the tab is the kind of coach for whom you want your kid to play.
Identifying potential defensive stalwarts will be tantamount to getting the Fort Campbell football team prepared for the challenges it will face in a Dixon-less, Perryman-less world. That is why this particular Falcon is our Lasaters Coffee & Tea, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Player of the Week.
That being said we felt it was high time for people around Christian County, KY (particularly Oak Grove and Fort Campbell) to take notice of this outstanding performer and outstanding young man. Hey guys, when you have talent like Ike Tupai it is time to wake up and smell the coffee!
Join us next week as we return to honor another weekly prize winner. Until then, get on down to one of our Christian County Area locations and remember, our products are superior and one of a kind; just like Ike Tupai.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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