MĀNOA — The game itself was a low-scoring slog, a 14-3 victory for Team Mauka over Team Makai. With a roster consisting of the country's best high school football players in the classes of 2026 and 2027, the priority on the field was for the game's participants to come out of it healthy.
All the scoring between both teams was done in the second quarter. Team Mauka took a 14-0 lead on a 4-yard touchdown reception by Chris Henry Jr. and a 35-yard rushing score by eventual offensive MVP Eric McFarland, a junior at IMG Academy in Florida. Team Makai's lone score was on a 29-yard Mateo Orosco field goal.
For the game's players and coaches, the Polynesian Bowl was more about the experience of the week itself, viewed by those involved as second to none. Players selected to the game, regardless of if they're Hawai‘i residents or not, were housed in Waikīkī hotels from Sunday through Friday. In addition to daily practices, players toured Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center and also had a community service event at Shriners Children's Hospital.
"It was a great week. Everyone that puts this thing on, Jesse Sapolu, Rich Miano, these guys do a great job of just organizing, getting the kids out here, and it's a lot of fun," Team Makai head coach Doug Pederson told Aloha State Daily following the game. "It's more than football. It's an experience. And I've had a great time."
Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in 2018, was most recently the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Friday's Polynesian Bowl at the University of Hawai‘i's Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex was his first time coaching a football game since the 2024 NFL season.
"It was fun," Pederson said. "I mean, we're kind of fast and furious (the entire week). The kids were great to work with."
While McFarland took home MVP honors on offense in a winning effort, Team Makai's George Toia, a junior at Byron Nelson High School in Texas, was awarded defensive MVP after racking up a game-high six tackles, including three for loss, to go with a sack and forced fumble.
Meanwhile, two University of Hawai‘i signees in Saint Louis senior Jahren Altura and Nānākuli senior Vai Fanuaea represented the Rainbow Warriors. Altura had two tackles and a pass breakup.
Also suiting up for Team Makai was Kamehameha senior Malakai Lee, who signed with Michigan in December and will enroll in the summer.
"It's back on my home turf, so I was super excited to be able to share my culture with everybody," Lee said. "It was a great week, great activities. And I think everybody is leaving here with their heads high. I know this wasn't the outcome we wanted, but at the same time, it was a great week of working and just being able to connect as brothers."
The game was also a brief homecoming for Kahuku senior Talanoa Ili. The linebacker was getting settled in as an early enrollee at USC before heading back to the Islands. Classes for his first semester of college began on Monday.
"It felt great to be back and to be representing my Samoan heritage and my Samoan culture," he said. "Just grateful, and I'm blessed to have this opportunity.
When asked about his senior year at Kahuku, which began with a controversial coaching change, Ili says "it was a real roller coaster. Despite all the ups and downs, it was a great experience. I got to spend it with my family and really just enjoy my time. I wouldn't take anything back, and I loved it."
Ili had two tackles for Team Makai in what was his final high school football game. Come next week, he'll be back in college for at least the next few years.
"I'm excited to work my a-- off," he said. "Excuse my language, but I'm excited. Man, I can't wait for what next season has in store for us."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
