Oahu Team Gold cruises past Maui Team Pink in 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl
Overall MVP Isa’ako Sopoaga makes a tackle for the Oahu Gold Team against Maui Team Pink. | Photo: Michael Lasquero
Isa’ako Sopoaga made sure to end his high school career on a high note.
The Kaiser senior defensive lineman earned overall most valuable player honors in the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl after helping Oahu Team Gold to a 28-13 win over Maui Team Pink at Waipahu’s Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex.
Sopoaga, the son of former NFL and Hawai’i defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga, was a force in the trenches as Maui Team Pink was held without an offensive score until the final minute of the game.
“It feels really good, just being able to make my parents proud and all of us boys,” said Sopoaga. “This past three weeks I got to know these guys, they’re all like brothers to me and being ale to come out here, win, have a good time and being able to perform well, just feels good.”
Kaiser moved up to Division I during Sopoaga’s senior year, but the higher-tiered competition wasn’t as kind to the Cougars as they ended the season on a seven-game losing streak.
“Even though this past season wasn’t our best, still want to leave a good impression, good mark for our younger generation, next people coming up in line,” Sopoaga said on the opportunity to represent Kaiser in the annual showcase.
Hosted by the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the National Football Foundation, the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl 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.
Radford quarterback Afi Togafau tossed four touchdowns in the win for Oahu Team Gold, with two going to skills MVP Champ Colburn. Nanakuli’s Malosi Muaau and Waipahu’s Jayvren Pinera also caught TD passes.
Earning lineman MVP honors for Oahu Team Gold was Wyatt O’Neill.
Kamehameha-Maui’s Zedekaiah Campbell scored the final TD of the game for Maui Team Pink in the final minute of the game.
While Maui Team Pink has majority of its players from Maui, players from Moloka’i, Lana’i and even Kauai were on its roster.
Earning MVP honors for Maui Team Pink were a pair of Kapa’a players in Ryan Peters and Kanoa Lopez in skills and lineman respectively.
“It was a really fun experience playing with guys from other islands. We got to see how they function and how they play football,” said Peters, who scored on an interception return.
“Representing Kauai, representing Kapa’a just means everything to me and Kanoa.”
