Cousins ball out in final game back home on Oahu
Cousins Taimane Souza-Fautanu and Jahsiah Souza-Armstead get lined up for Hawai’i Team Black. | Photo: Michael Lasquero
The 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl is an annual showcase that brings together standout high school seniors from across the islands for a full day of competition and player recruitment opportunities.
It also gave cousins Taimane Souza-Fautanu and Jahsiah Souza-Armstead one last opportunity to play a game back home on Oahu.
Originally from Roosevelt, the duo played their senior season on the Big Island at Konawaena. On Saturday at Waipahu’s Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex, the two helped Hawai’i Team Black rally from a 10-0 halftime deficit to force a 10-10 tie with the Oahu Team Blue.
“I really enjoyed it, I know he enjoyed it. We went through this journey together since we were 4-5 years old so it’s real special, even the fact that we got to finish out our high school careers at Konawaena is great,” said Taimane Souza-Armstead.
“For me it was great,” said Jahsiah Souza-Armstead. “I’ve been playing with Taimane since I was four years old now — our last game together well on Oahu anyways — we going to go college (together). Just playing finishing it out with my bro, couldn’t ask for any other way.”
Souza-Fautanu had nearly 50 tackles for the Wildcats with three receiving touchdowns and a special teams score while Souza-Armstead led Konawaena in receptions with 41 grabs for 596 yards and eight TDs while recording three interceptions on defense and scoring on a kickoff return.
“Big island can ball, all the islands can ball, especially big island. We just want to showcase that,” said Jahsiah Souza-Armstead.
The cousins also got to play against former Roosevelt teammates Ioane Kamanao, Ezekiel Soon and Kona Siamani.
“That’s a brotherhood that’s a bond that’s going to last a lifetime,” Souza-Fautanu said of playing against his former teammates. “We came up playing big boys together till our time at Roosevelt. it’s always love with those guys for sure.”
After wrapping up their high school career, Souza-Fautanu is hoping that a college is interested in the services of him and Souza-Armstead.
“We’re definitely a package so if you want us come get us,” he said. “We’ going to go together for sure.”
