Polynesian Bowl
Kahuku was well represented in the inaugural Polynesian Bowl including Stokes Nihipali-Bothelo, Kekaula Kaniho, and Aliki Vimahi. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.
The Polynesian Bowl is an annual high school football all-star game held at Aloha Stadium every January featuring the top high school seniors in the country. Approximately 75 percent of the 100 kids selected are of Polynesian ancestry.
The first game was held on January 21, 2017, with Team Stanley, captained by Ronnie Stanley, defeating Team Mariota, captained by Marcus Mariota, after Punahou’s Jeff Chan kicked a 20-yard field goal with 39 seconds remaining for a 9-7 win.
The 2018 game will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, at Aloha Stadium.
Roughly 30 players from Hawaii will be invited to the game. Four have already been chosen and two or three will be invited on a weekly basis during the upcoming high school football season, which begins in early August.
Below is a list of the players committed to the game. Recruiting ranking is the highest chosen from the four major recruiting services.
2018 POLYNESIAN BOWL ROSTER
Updated: April 4 Players from Hawaii high schools >> Justin Genovia, WR, ‘Iolani >> Kana’i Mauga, LB, Waianae >> Samson Reed, DE, Kahuku >> Rocky Savea, LB, Kapolei Rest of the field >> Bryan Addison, ATH, Junipero Serra, Calif., Scout #96 >> MJ Ale, OT, Fife, Ore., N/R >> Manuel Allen, WR, Centennial, Calif., Scout #78 >> Junior Angilau, OG, East, Utah, N/R >> Eyabi Anoma, DE, St. Francis Academy, Md., ESPN #9 >> Chad Bailey, LB, Ridge Point, Tex., Rivals #160 >> Kirby Bennett, RB, Bishop Gorman, Nev., Scout #216 >> Stephen Blaylock, S, St. John Bosco, Calif. N/R >> Tommy Brown, OT, Mater Dei, Calif., Scout #82 >> Chase Cota, WR, South Medford, Ore., Rivals #168 >> Isaah Crocker, WR, Inderkum, Calif., Rivals #98 >> Justin Dedich, C, Chaparrel, Calif., Scout #130 >> Emil Eyikor, OG, Cathedral, Ind., ESPN #74 (Michigan) >> Daniel Faalele, OT, IMG Academy, Fla., N/R >> Justin Fields, QB, Harrison, Ga., ESPN #8 (Penn State) >> Tuni Fifita, WR/TE, Milpitas, Calif., N/R >> Palaie Gaoteote, LB, Bishop Gorman, Nev., 247Sports #5 (USC) >> Peselao Gauta, DT, Garden Grove, Calif., 247Sports #278 >> Kyler Gordon, CB, Archbishop Murphy, Wash., Scout #185 >> Olaijah Griffin, CB, Mission Viejo, Calif., Scout #33 >> Jalen Hall, WR, Augustus F. Hawkins, Calif., ESPN #2 >> Moa Heimuli, DT, East, Utah, N/R >> Talanoa Hufanga, ATH, Crescent Valley, Ore., Rivals #30 >> Jacob Isaia, OG, Bishop Gorman, Nev., N/R >> Dawson Jaramillo, OT, Lake Oswego, Ore., 247Sports #61 >> Marcus Johnson, CB, Augustus F. Hawkins, Calif., ESPN #83 (USC) >> Brevin Jordan, TE, Bishop Gorman, Nev., Scout #27 >> Brandon Kaho, LB, Reno, Nev. N/R (BYU) >> Donovan Laie, OT, Oceanside, Calif., N/R >> Cameron Latu, DE, Olympus, Utah, Rivals #86 >> Nathan Latu, DE, Olympus, Utah, N/R (BYU) >> Braden Lenzy, WR, Tigard, Ore., Scout #134 (Notre Dame) >> Tuli Letuligasenoa, DT, La Salle, Calif., Scout #90 >> Jonah Lipel, P/K, Chaminade, Calif., N/R >> Hunter Lotulelei, OG, Highland, Utah, 247Sports #242 (Utah) >> Paul Maile, DL, East, Utah, N/R >> Josh Madison, ATH, Newbury Park, Calif., N/R >> Tyler Manoa, DT, St. Francis, Calif., N/R >> Adrian Martinez, QB, West Clovis, Calif., 247Sports #210 (California) >> Salua Masina, LB, Brighton, Utah, Rivals #126 >> Malone Mataele, ATH, Santa Margarita, Calif., Scout #267 >> Camren McDonald, TE/WR, Long Beach Poly, Calif., Scout #71 >> Tanner McKee, QB, Centennial, Calif., Rivals #137 >> Micah Parsons, DE, Harrisburg, Penn., Scout #2 (Penn State) >> BT Potter, K/P, Rock Hill, S.C., N/R >> Tennessee Pututau, DE, Cottonwood, Utah, ESPN #160 >> Kwantel Raines, S, Aliquippa, Penn., 247Sports #115 >> Merlin Robertson, LB, Junipero Serra, Calif., Scout #96 >> Malakai Salu, LB, Central Catholic, Ore., N/R >> Raymond Scott, LB, Narbonne, Calif., Scout #45 (USC) >> Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Springs, Utah, Scout #53 >> Jacob Sirmon, QB, Bothell, Wash., ESPN #16 (Washington) >> Travis Spreen, C, Jesuit, Ore., 247Sports #254 >> Steve Stephens, S, Edison, Calif., Scout #102 >> Markese Stepp, RB, Cathedral, Ind., ESPN #168 >> MJ Tafisi, LB, Alta, Utah, N/R >> Matthew Tago, ATH, Quartz Hill, Calif., N/R >> Toa Taua, ATH, Lompac, Calif., Scout #290 >> Isaac Taylor-Stuart, CB, St. Augustine, Calif., 247Sports #15 >> Isaak Togia, LB, Pacifica, Calif., N/R >> Tommy Togiai, DT, Highland, Idaho, 247Sports #26 >> Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, Bishop Gorman, Nev., Rivals #41 >> Solomon Tuliaupupu, LB, Mater Dei, Calif., Scout #28 >> Sam Vakalahi, OG, East, Utah, N/R >> Brevin White, QB, Paraclete, Calif., Scout #110 >> Chase Williams, WR, Eleanor Roosevelt, Calif., ESPN #89 >> Colson Yankoff, QB, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, 247Sports #85 >> Isheem Young, S, Imhotep Institute, Penn., Scout #30
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LIVE BLOG: 2017 Polynesian Bowl PHOTO GALLERY: 2017 Polynesian Bowl Epenesa stands out in inaugural Polynesian Bowl Polynesian Bowl built for success
A.J. Epenesa shared a laugh with Ma’a Tanuvasa after winning defensive player of the game honors at the inaugural Polynesian Bowl. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.
Team Stanley celebrated after time ran out in a 9-7 win over Team Mariota in the 2017 Polynesian Bowl. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.
Farrington running back Challen Faamatau was brought down by Servite cornerback Keith Taylor. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.
Sumner running back Connor Wedington, named offensive MVP, cut between Kahuku linebacker Sioeli Naupoto and and Saint Louis safety Jalen Saole. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.
Offensive players with Hawaii ties on Team Mariota posed for a photo at the draft party Monday. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.
http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/polynesian-bowl/
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