Hawai’i rallies against Cal to complete all-time classic Hawaii Bowl

Hawai’i rallies against Cal to complete all-time classic Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii players celebrate with the trophy after a thrilling comeback win over Cal in the 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Hawai’i rallies against Cal to complete all-time classic Hawaii Bowl

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 25, 2025

HONOLULU – Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Hawai’i fans.

After weeks of chatter about storylines surrounding the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the on-the-field action between the University of Hawai’i and California surpassed scripts Hollywood only dreams of as the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) put together the largest comeback in Hawaii Bowl history to stun the Golden Bears (7-6) on Christmas Eve, 35-31.

“They’re gritty,” head coach Timmy Chang said of his team after matching the biggest comeback in program history. “They’ve learned how to fight through adversity. I would say the first three years taught us the ways not to fight through adversity and this year has taught us the ways that we can handle adversity and continue to propel ourselves.”

Redshirt freshman QB Micah Alejado, who excited UH fans last week when he announced he would be returning to the islands next season after his Mountain West Freshman of the Year campaign, fought through a bevy of bumps and bruises throughout the night to complete 32-of-46 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns.

“All glory goes to God because you know, this year we’ve been through a lot of adversity,” Alejado said after the win. “The offense, we started off slow a lot and we’ve been down a lot [this season], but this team just doesn’t stop fighting.”

Junior QB Luke Weaver was the one to deliver the dagger for UH on the final offensive play, finding Nick Cenacle for a go-ahead 22-yard TD pass with 10 seconds remaining after Alejado exited with another lower body injury. In his first game action since September 13, Weaver completed 2-of-3 passes for 28 yards and the eventual game-winning score as he became the latest UH backup quarterback to cement themselves in program lore with a legendary moment.

Junior WR Pofele Ashlock was named the Hugh Yoshida Most Valuable Player after matching Jason Rivers’ 2006 Hawaii Bowl receptions record with 14 catches that went for 123 yards and two touchdowns, setting a new career high for catches in a contest while notching his sixth career multi-score game.

“I asked for this,” the junior wideout said, opening up after his record-tying outing. “Before, in the hotel room, I just asked [God] for a game. Just to go out there and prove to myself, not to everyone else but to myself, man. Lately, I haven’t been confident in most ways, so going out there [and performing] was amazing.”

The start was less than amazing for UH as Cal came out swinging on its opening drive with an early 41-yard bomb from freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to senior WR Jacob De Jesus, taking a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Hawai’i looked to answer on the ensuing possession, but stalled out in Bears territory and saw Kansei Matsuzawa miss for just the second time this year on a 50-yard attempt.

The rough open by UH rolled into the second quarter as Cal RB Kendrick Raphael rumbled 19 yards for his 13th rushing TD of the year on the first play of the frame. Freshman RB Anthony League followed it up shortly after with his first collegiate touchdown run for the Bears, putting the Rainbow Warriors in a 21-0 hole with 9:38 to play in the opening half.

Hawai’i finally found the end zone with 3:57 left before the break behind the heroics of Ashlock, who put together a string of impressive catches before capping off the drive with a 13-yard score. It marked the first time the junior wideout found paydirt since October 11 when he had a 3-touchdown performance against Utah State.

Ashlock’s return to form came at a perfect time as UH dealt with the absence of star sophomore Jackson Harris, who opted out of the bowl with intentions of entering the transfer portal next month after leading the Rainbow Warriors with 963 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 games this season.

“The biggest thing with having Jackson gone, I mean he was a big momentum changer for us,” Ashlock said. “It was going back to myself and understanding that I have that ability too, man … Thinking back to my freshman files.”

Hawai’i’s defense looked re-energized after the score, responding with a stop as they forced the first Cal punt of the game with just under two minutes left in the second quarter. Special teams got in on the fun as junior defensive back Riis Weber, a Kailua alum, got a piece of the punt to record the first statistic of any kind in his UH career and set up the Rainbow Warriors at the California 32-yard line with 1:45 to work with.

The blocked punt ultimately resulted in points for Hawai’i as the offense set up a 29-yard chip shot for Matsuzawa, who calmly pocketed the kick to make it a 21-10 deficit at the break with momentum starting to roll back towards the hosts.

Hawai’i’s defense continued to solve the Cal offensive puzzle as play resumed in the third quarter, forcing another punt to set up another Matsuzawa field goal from 39 yards out to pull the Rainbow Warriors within eight heading into the final frame.

UH finally got fans to fully erupt just over a minute into the final frame as Ashlock hauled in his second touchdown of the night. The Rainbow Warriors completed the rally from 21 down moments later on a shovel pass from Alejado to Cam Barfield on the 2-point conversion, sending the sold-out T.C. Ching Athletics Complex crowd into a frenzy.

Cal briefly regained the lead after Chase Meyer’s 22-yard field goal with 8:56 left to play, but Brandon White hauled in a 17-yard dime from Alejado for his second TD reception of the season and lone catch of the game to vault Hawai’i back in front less than two minutes later.

The Golden Bears again relied on their star freshman Sagapolutele to work some late-game magic as a response, seeing the ‘Ewa Beach native lead a go-ahead scoring drive with 1:57 remaining in regulation with eyes on a homecoming villain moment as he powered into the end zone on a sneak from a yard out to put Cal up, 31-28.

With the comfort of the chance to send the game to overtime with another Matsuzawa field goal, the Rainbow Warriors quickly moved onto Cal’s side of the 50-yard line with 37 seconds and a timeout still to work with after an Alejado third-down scramble over midfield.

The redshirt freshman did enough to work the offense into Tokyo Toe range a few plays later as he hooked up with Cam Barfield on screen pass for a 13-yard pickup but forced Hawai’i to burn its final timeout after with 15 seconds left after taking another hit that left him on the ground writhing in pain.

Move over, Rudolph. The Hawaii Bowl provided a new hero to save Christmas Eve.

Luke Weaver entered in relief for Alejado with time for a couple of quick plays before UH would need to kick a field goal to force overtime, but the junior gunslinger needed only one chance to lead the Rainbow Warriors back in front as he fired a perfect 22-yard strike to Nick Cenacle for the game-winning score with 10 seconds to play.

“I said a quick little prayer before I went out there and I feel like [God] took care of the rest,” Weaver shared when asked about what was running through his mind coming into the game in the clutch. “That’s what every football player dreams about as an 8-year-old kid when they start to play football, and I can guarantee that was a dream that God made come true tonight.”

Nick Cenacle finished his UH tenure on a high note after dealing with a plethora of injuries throughout his senior year, grabbing a season-best eight passes for 59 yards and the biggest score of his career in his final college game.

“He hasn’t had the most memorable season because he’s been battling with injuries, but I think his heart, his grind, his work ethic is always there and that’s the things that go unseen throughout these Saturdays,” Ashlock gushed about his teammate when asked about Cenacle’s storybook ending. “I think that was the biggest play right there to put a message to all of us that you can do this, regardless of whatever adversity you go through.”

The win marked UH’s third consecutive victory when appearing in a bowl (2019, ’20, ’25), tying the longest streak in program history while bringing home the sixth Hawaii Bowl title for the Rainbow Warriors, the most championships by any team.

Timmy Chang has been a part of half of those Hawaii Bowl-winning UH teams, taking home two titles as a player before securing his first career bowl victory as a head coach this season. Despite two MVP performances and victories during his playing days, the fourth-year head coach may have enjoyed the most recent postseason win the most.

“I think it’s better now,” Chang said when comparing the two chapters of his football life. “I’m helping raise leaders in the community and building young men to just be great fathers and husband, and we can come out here and win games as well as do those things. I think that’s the joy that I have now being older … I totally love being a coach and I love coaching at the University of Hawai’i.”

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Kamanao shines playing double duty in the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl

Kamanao shines playing double duty in the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl

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.

Siliado shows out in final game of football showcase for high school seniors

Siliado shows out in final game of football showcase for high school seniors

Siliado shows out in final game of football showcase for high school seniors

Saint Louis senior Kingston Siliado gets past the Oahu Team White defense in Oahu Team Red’s win. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Whatever position his coaches were going to put him in, Kingston Siliado was going to be ready.

The Saint Louis receiver put on a number of different hats as he helped the Oahu Team Red defeat the Oahu Team White, 17-3, in the nightcap of the second annual 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl at Waipahu’s Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex Saturday night.

Siliado saw time at quarterback, running back and even safety for Oahu Team Red, which was comprised of mostly players from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

“It was good fun,” said Siliado. “Having these new coaches with me is a new experience and they trusted me to do all these new positions like go safety. I was having fun and playing some quarterback and as a running back as well so it was good fun.”

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.

“That kind of pushed me more because I never really had offers going into this game, but after this game I just got a spot on this college so I’m just blessed after they told me,” said Siliado, who earned overall most valuable player honors in the game.

“I was really locked in and getting ready for this game so it was kind of big for me.”

Siliado got the scoring started in the opening quarter after taking a direct snap and going around left end.

A second-quarter touchdown pass by Leysen Rodrigues down the right sideline to Xavier Brown gave Oahu Team Red a 14-0 advantage at the break.

Oahu Team White, a team compromised of Open Division player from the OIA, got on the board with a field goal by Rodel Alano before Jadyn Parker hit a field goal of his own for Oahu Team Red.

Ioane Kamanao, who was playing in his second game of the day, was the skills MVP for the winning team while the lineman MVP was Samatua John Shafer Robins.

The skills MVP for Oahu Team White was Jarius Borges while the lineman MVP was Chaesten Eliu.

Oahu Team Gold cruises past Maui Team Pink in 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl

Oahu Team Gold cruises past Maui Team Pink in 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl

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.”

Cousins ball out in final game back home on Oahu

Cousins ball out in final game back home on Oahu

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.”

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

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

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.