This defense played like Mike Singletary.
With the Chicago Bears Hall of Famer as their head coach, Team Mauka did not disappoint in a 14-3 win over Team Makai in the at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex.
Advertisement
Team Makai had its share of outstanding plays. Defensive lineman George Toia was named the game’s defensive most valuable player. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound junior from Byron Nelson (Texas ) finished with six tackles and one sack. Even Toia couldn’t stop Mauka from moving the chains.
Mauka quarterback Sione Kaho completed 11 of 16 attempts for 132 yards and one TD with one interception. The junior from Lincoln (Tacoma, Wash.) had superb chemistry with his receiving corps. Jalen Lott of Panther Creek (Texas ) hauled in five of seven targets for 53 yards, while Eric McFarland III was a major threat with four receptions for 66 yards and a 35-yard TD run on a reverse that opened Mauka’s lead to 14-0 in the first half.
McFarland was named the offensive MVP. The 5-9, 175-pound junior from IMG was one of the most electrifying playmakers in the Polynesian Bowl since Puka Nacua earned OMVP honors in 2018.
“You’ve got to excel with every opportunity you get. Me and my parents, we just prep every opportunity we get, ” McFarland said.
Advertisement
The all-star game includes a restriction on blitzing, but Kaho and McFarland had an exceptional connection all game long.
“It’s really just telling him, ‘Give me a chance.’ If he believes in me and gives me the ball, I’ve got to make something happen. Every time, ” McFarland said. “I like a lot of receivers. You’ve got Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Malik Nabers, Tyreek Hill. I like everybody, anybody who can run routes. I know I’ve got a lot to improve on, so I just pick up anything I can.”
Several island players saw heavy action, including Kahuku linebacker Malaki Soliai-Tui, who had five tackles.
“It was pretty good, good competition. Definitely different, big-time guys, ” said Soliai-Tui, who flew back from UCLA for the bowl game. “I made a lot of connections this week, met a lot of new people.”
Advertisement
Kailua was represented by multiple players on Makai, but Packs Ahovelo wore the green of Mauka. Kailua’s standout defensive end, Benjamin Honebein, played for Makai but did not square off against Ahovelo.
“I was playing edge today. Packs was playing guard. It was really fun to be able to play with all my (Kailua ) teammates, ” said Honebein, who will suit up for UC Davis next season.
“The Polynesian Bowl staff was really, really nice. They treated us really good. We had a bunch of really fun experiences that I’m going to treasure, ” Honebein said.
Kamehameha’s Malakai Lee played offensive line for Makai. The Polynesian Bowl’s relationship with Shriners Children’s Hawaii hit home. His sister was treated there, and when Lee need foot surgery three years ago, he also went to Shriners.
Advertisement
“My sister had club feet, so she was in there from two weeks old. When I broke my foot, I went over there and they took care of me, ” said Lee, who will play at Michigan. “This week was a mindset that everyone has to compete. I’m super grateful that I was able to play in this prestigious game.”
Mauka’s defense made an impact in the opening quarter thanks to defensive lineman Samu Moala and cornerback Ace Alston. Alston had a pass breakup on the first play, while Moala later had a tackle for loss and a sack.
Mauka drove 34 yards to pay dirt, scoring on a 4-yard toss from Kaho to Chris Henry Jr.
Mauka led 7-0 with 11 :16 left in the first half.
Advertisement
Two plays into Makai’s ensuing series, defensive end Chris Whitehead forced a fumble by Makai QB Nainoa Lopes and Lasiah Jackson recovered for Mauka.
On the next snap, wide receiver Eric McFarland ran left on a reverse, followed a lead block by QB Oscar Rios and scored easily on a 35-yard run. Mauka led 14-0 with 8 :56 to go in the first half.
Moments later, Moala beat his man one on one from the edge to bring down Lopes. It was the second sack of the game for the Texas A &M signee.
Makai finally got on the scoreboard with Mateo Orosco’s 29-yard field goal with 1 :52 before the half.
Kaho marched the Mauka offense downfield again but lost the ball after getting hit by Simote Katoanga. David Schwerzel recovered for Makai to end Mauka’s scoring threat.
Advertisement
On the next play, Mauka linebacker Ejay Tapeni forced a fumble, but Makai offensive lineman Jaron Pula scooped up the bouncing pigskin at the 1-yard line and ran 15 yards as the first half came to a close.
Makai cornerback Salesi Moa nearly had a pick-6 on a pass by Kaho early in the fourth quarter, but he was ruled out of bounds at the Mauka 36-yard line. Makai’s defense, sparked by Toia, later had Mauka pinned inside its 5-yard line, but on third-and-long, Kaho connected with McFarland deep between the hash marks for a 23-yard gain and a first down with less than six minutes remaining.
Moments later, Kaho delivered another third-down strike, finding Jalen Lott, who turned the sideline pass into a 20-yard pickup. That drive ended when Deuce Alailefaleula and Honebein stonewalled Mauka RB Landen Williams-Callis on fourth-and-1 at the Mauka 43-yard line with less than three minutes to play.
Mauka’s defense closed it out with a sack and a forced fumble by defensive end Krew Jones, recovered by Tomuhini Topui with 1 :34 remaining.
Advertisement
Lopes, the Saint Louis senior, graduated early. He has a noon flight to Cal today.
“I enjoyed the competition. We had a little struggle, but it felt like a college game. It was a really good warmup, ” he said. “I’m looking forward getting in the weight room, eating a lot. I can’t wait for it.”
