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.”

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.”

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.