Kamanao shines playing double duty in the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl
Roosevelt senior Ioane Kamanao runs back one of his two interceptions against Oahu Team White. | Photo: Michael Lasquero
Ioane Kamanao started the day losing his gold chain on the football field.
He ended the day with some hardware playing for a team that he wasn’t on originally.
The Roosevelt senior showed his passion for the game by playing in two games on the same day in the second 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl, which brings together senior football standouts from across the islands for a full day of competition, player development and recruiting exposure.
Kamanao started the day playing receiver in a 12:30 p.m. kickoff for Oahu Team Blue, which is comprised of players from OIA Division I and Division II teams. Seven hours later he was playing safety for Oahu Team Red, which is a team made up of players from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.
“I just love the game, I love the sport of football,” Kamanao said.
So how did Kamanao get to double dip?
Oahu Team Red did not have a quarterback on its initial roster so they recruited Kamanao to play the position because he had experience playing quarterback while at Roosevelt.
But Oahu Team Red also found other quarterbacks to join its team. They added Kahuku’s Kalaheo Kanae from their opponent Oahu Team White, who had a surplus of quarterbacks, and drew up quarterback sets with receiver Kingston Siliado taking snaps.
Oahu Team Red also gained the services of former Kapolei quarterback Leysen Rodrigues, who played his junior year in California.
“I walked in there, they told me I was going to be a quarterback, so I was like ‘I’m ready to throw the ball,’ then coach pulled me aside and asked ‘can you play safety?’ and I said ‘of course’ and the show went on from there,” said Kamanao.
It was a fruitful position change for the Roosevelt senior as he tallied two interceptions in the game to earn the skills most valuable player award for Oahu Team Red.
“I feel like on the island of Hawai’i, everybody got their own skillset,” said Kamanao. “That’s why I love this place, I’m so grateful for this experience because they allowed me to show my true self at a high level. I just want to take the most of the opportunity.”
Rodrigues also showed out with a touchdown pass in the second quarter to give Oahu Team Red a 14-0 lead.
Other additions to the squad of ILH players included Kapa’a linebacker Ryan Peters and Kauai offensive lineman Trenton Tanigawa, who both were playing in their second game of the day.
Kahuku’s Jadyn Parker was also key for Oahu Team Red with a field goal to make the final score 17-3.
