Oahu Team Blue and Hawaii Team Black play to thrilling 10-10 tie

Oahu Team Blue and Hawai’i Team Black pose for a group photo after the conclusion of their game. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Oahu Team Blue and Hawaiʻi Team Black played to a 10-10 tie in the opening game of the second annual 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl on Saturday afternoon at Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex in Waipahu.

Hosted by the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the National Football Foundation, the annual showcase brings together senior football standouts from across the islands for a full day of competition, player development and recruiting exposure, with multiple college coaches in attendance.

Oahu Team Blue struck first when Moanalua’s Makaniʻolu Markle-Kane connected on a field goal to open the scoring. Kailua’s Micah Sua later extended the lead by taking a direct snap into the end zone, giving Team Blue a 10-0 advantage at halftime.

Hawaiʻi Team Black, made up primarily of players from the Big Island, responded in the third quarter when Kealakehe’s Gabriel Chong broke free for a touchdown run to cut the deficit.

Kapolei’s Larry McCarley — the lone non–Big Island player on Team Black — delivered the decisive play late, drilling a 47-yard field goal in the final minute to force the tie.

Roosevelt’s Ezekiel Soon was named the game’s overall most valuable player after disrupting Oahu Team Blue’s defense with multiple sacks and tackles for loss.

“I just really appreciate all my teammates and coaches for putting me in the right position to succeed,” Soon said. “It was a hard-fought game between both teams, and I just tried to do my part and make the plays.”

Soon also reflected on the opportunity to reunite with former teammates and compete alongside new ones while continuing to pursue college opportunities. He got to play against former Roosevelt teammates Taimane Souza-Fautanu and Jahsiah Souza-Armstead while playing alongside fellow Rough Riders Ioane Kamanao and Kona Siamani.

“It was good seeing my former teammates Taimane them on the other side of the ball,” said Soon. “Those are my brothers for life, I love them. It was good seeing Ioane, Kona familiar faces, just cause we have that chemistry and being able to play with them is just easy. It’s nice to meet new players too, get to make new connections and relationships with my players on this blue team.”

Kailua quarterback Isaiah Keaunui-DeMello earned the skills MVP award for Oahu Team Blue, while Kaimukī’s Toloa Loketi was named the team’s lineman MVP.

For Hawaiʻi Team Black, Keaʻau quarterback Trustin Gomes and defensive end Kainalu Vierra were selected as the team’s MVPs.

“Really blessed to represent the Big Island and show that there’s skill outside of Oʻahu,” Gomes said.

Vierra echoed that sentiment, praising the effort of players from both Division I and Division II programs on the Big Island.

The 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl continues to serve as a platform for Hawaiʻi’s top senior football players to showcase their abilities and pursue opportunities at the next level.