Kaimuki’s Toloa Loketi hopes to end high school career with a win

Kaimuki’s Toloa Loketi hopes to end high school career with a win

Dec 16, 2025

Kaimuki’s Toloa Loketi hopes to end high school career with a win

Kaimki’s Toloa Loketi smiles during practice for the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

It’s been a long time since Kaimuki senior Toloa Loketi has enjoyed a win on the football field.

He is hoping that changes this weekend.

After more than a year without a win, Loketi will get one final opportunity to finish his high school football career on a positive note when he takes the field in the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Waipahu’s Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex.

Loketi, a 6-foot-1, 300-pound lineman, is among over 200 student-athletes that were selected to participate in the annual senior bowl, which is hosted by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the National Football Foundation and draws college coaches and scouts from across the country.

Kaimuki enters the postseason showcase having lost 17 consecutive games dating back to 2023. The Bulldogs’ last victory came on Oct. 28, 2023, making the senior bowl not only a recruiting opportunity for Loketi, but also a rare chance to end his high school career with a win.

“It would be a great opportunity to get this win because I don’t want to end my senior year without a win,” Loketi said. “To have that winning feeling would mean a lot.”

Loketi will suit up for the Oahu Seniors-Blue team, composed of players from OIA Division I and Division II schools. Kaimuki competes in OIA Division II. Team Blue will face a squad of seniors from Hawai‘i Island in the opening game of the day, scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff.

“I’m very excited because I get to play with some new teammates, get to know the different experiences people have and I just get to represent the name that’s on my chest and across my back,” said Loketi.

Beyond football, Loketi is a multi-sport athlete, also serving as a goalkeeper for Kaimuki’s boys soccer team. He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Tevita Loketi, who played defensive line at the University of Hawai‘i.

“I always wanted an opportunity to play at the next level, just like my older brother,” Loketi said. “If I’m able to play at the next level too, that would be a blessing.”

For Loketi, representing Kaimuki and his community remains at the center of the experience.

“It means a lot to me because this is the people who raised me,” Loketi said. “This is the only place I’ve ever been, so it feels good to be supported by my people and represent my name.”

Team Blue assistant coach James Mane, who coaches the offensive line at ‘Aiea during the regular season, said Loketi made an immediate impression during practices.

“The kid is a hard worker,” Mane said. “From the very first rep it was like, ‘Whoa.’ He has a high motor, goes all out and he’s very humble. Any coaching tip I give him, he does it right away. He’s very coachable, and I can’t wait to see him in the game.”

With college evaluators in attendance and one final chance to compete at the high school level, Loketi hopes the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl can serve as the perfect closure of his high school career while being the start of his collegiate journey.

Game Day Schedule – Saturday, December 20, 2025

12:30 PM — Hawai‘i Seniors–Black vs. Oahu Seniors–Blue
3:00 PM — Maui Seniors–Pink vs. Oahu Seniors–Gold
6:00 PM — Hawai‘i Wahine–Red vs. Oahu Wahine–Yellow (Girls Juniors & Seniors Flag Football)
7:30 PM — Oahu Seniors–White vs. Oahu Seniors–Red

Football Rosters: CLICK HERE
Girls Flag Football Rosters: CLICK HERE

Purchase Tickets: CLICK HERE

All games will be held at the Masa Yonamine Complex, Waipahu High School.

Mahalo to Fantastic Sams Hawai‘i

Fantastic Sams Hawai‘i is a proud supporter of the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl, helping elevate opportunities for local student-athletes and strengthening the foundation of Hawai‘i’s football community.

Supporting the Mission

The Hawai‘i Chapter of the National Football Foundation remains focused on:

  • Providing scholarship opportunities tied to both athletics and academics

  • Supporting families who cannot afford exposure camps on the continent

  • Ensuring every student-athlete—regardless of circumstance—has a chance to be evaluated by college coaches

  • Using football as a tool for leadership, discipline, and lifelong growth

The 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl is more than a showcase. It’s a lifeline. A celebration. A chance for Hawai‘i’s young athletes to chase dreams they’ve earned.

Hawaii dominates UH-Hilo behind ball movement breakthrough

Hawaii dominates UH-Hilo behind ball movement breakthrough

Dec 10, 2025

Hawaii G Aaron Hunkin-Claytor swoops to the rim with his left hand in transition during a 98-46 win over UH-Hilo. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Hawaii dominates UH-Hilo behind ball movement breakthrough

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 10, 2025

HONOLULU – Big win over the Big Island.

The third-largest margin of victory in UH program history, to be exact.

The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team rolled to a 98-46 win on Wednesday night, dismantling the University of Hawai’i-Hilo (0-6) inside Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center behind the best shooting, passing and defensive displays of the year. Senior forward Harry Rouhliadeff paced the hosts, scoring 16 points, grabbing nine rebounds and handing out a career-best five assists.

“I’m just very pleased,” head coach Eran Ganot said following the game. “There was some stuff in the first half that we didn’t like as much but in the second half, it was a complete performance.”

From the opening moments, Hawai’i (9-2, 2-0 Big West) torched the zone defense of UH-Hilo (0-6) as the ball whipped around to set new high-water marks in made 3-pointers (13) and assists (25). Five players knocked down multiple threes for UH and six players finished in double figures while 11 of the 13 guys on the active roster ended up with points.

Dre Bullock enjoyed a short but productive night, scoring 12 points to go with four rebounds despite playing a season-low 14 minutes in the blowout. Hunter Erickson, Ike Finlinson and Gytis Nemeikša each chipped in 11 points and combined to hit seven of Hawai’i’s 13 made triples.

After last year’s heart-pounding preseason win on the Big Island saw the Rainbow Warriors turn the ball over 25 times against the Vulcans, UH put on a polar opposite performance on O’ahu with a season-low six turnovers. The defense continued to trend towards elite numbers, holding UH-Hilo to a season-low 48 points.

“It’s a mini-breakthrough and hopefully it leads to bigger breakthroughs,” Ganot said of the sweet shooting, high assist rate and low turnover numbers. “That is a step; If we want to get to where we want to be, we want to stay effective where we are being effective and then we’ve got to make those breakthroughs.”

The Rainbow Warriors raced out of the gates once again, draining five triples in the game’s opening eight minutes to snatch a 25-8 lead over the Vulcans before many fans had returned from pre-game concession stand trips. The long-distance onslaught continued throughout the first half for Hawai’i as they hit a total of nine 3-pointers over the opening 20 minutes to double up UH-Hilo heading into the break, 48-24.

The Vulcans shot 38% from the field in the first half, seeing UH’s suffocating defense smother any rhythm that the visitors tried to find on offense.

“Credit to them, they’ve got a really good team and they’re playing really well, too,” said UH-Hilo head coach Kaniela Aiona after the game. “Physically, we just struggled to match up with them from the beginning.”

The lead grew to 35 quickly after play resumed as Bullock drained Hawai’i’s 11th 3-pointer of the night, setting a new single-game high from distance for the Rainbow Warriors with 17:16 left in regulation.

The Vulcans finally hit their first 3-pointer of the game with 13:01 remaining when Jamal Entezami connected from distance. UH-Hilo was held to a season-worst 2-of-15 shooting performance from 3-point range.

Aaron Hunkin-Claytor got over double figures for the second time this season with 8:41 to play after finishing an and-one to push the Hawai’i lead to 40. The sophomore guard scored 11 points and handed out five assists while finishing as a plus-47 in 23 minutes of work in the win.

Hawai’i’s reserves closed out the crushing of the Vulcans, led by walk-on guard AJ Economou over the final 10 minutes of the 98-46 victory. The sophomore finished the night with seven points, three rebounds, three steals and a block in his first true extended run as a Rainbow Warrior, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers down the stretch – much to the delight of his teammates watching from the bench.

“Those are my guys,” Economou said when asked about his teammates and the reaction from the bench. “It’s like we have a different bond. So, I think when I got in and hit some shots, they’re definitely going to be fired up, for sure.”

The California native didn’t score a point in 11 appearances last season, playing sparingly in games well out of reach in either direction for the Rainbow Warriors. He recorded his first career college basket on November 9 against East Texas A&M and has now points in five of the seven games he’s seen action in this year.

“Oh, it’s great,” Ganot smiled when asked about Economou. “Off the charts attitude, incredible young man … You can see how he’s gotten bigger and stronger and improved. ”

Economou acknowledged being able to find a rhythm with an extended period of playing time on Wednesday, crediting a mindset of always staying ready for helping him get through the trials of being a reserve on a talented team.

“It’s hard, it’s discouraging at times,” the walk-on guard said when asked about waiting his turn while not seeing much time behind talented veterans. “Keeping your head in it is the most important thing for me … I don’t like to give up so I think, you know, my chance and my time will come.”

Hawai’i closes out the non-conference slate on Saturday, hosting former WAC and future Mountain West foe UTEP inside Bankoh Arena at 7:00 p.m. HT for the team’s final game of the 2025 calendar year.

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Tainoa Lave set the standard in Campbell’s championship run

Tainoa Lave set the standard in Campbell’s championship run

Dec 9, 2025

Tainoa Lave set the standard in Campbell’s championship run

Tainoa Lave celebrates after making a defensive play against Kamehameha in the Open Division championship game. | Photo: CJ Caraang

By the time he walked off the field in his final game wearing a Campbell jersey, Tainoa Lave had left his imprint on nearly every chapter of the Sabers’ long-awaited championship night.

The Campbell senior did it all in the Sabers’ Open Division Football title win over Kamehameha, 26-23, in overtime Friday night before a crowd of 10,131 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

Literally.

Lave, who has signed to play collegiately at the San Diego State University, recorded a game-high 11 total tackles with a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the win. He also had a 55-yard punt return to set up Campbell’s opening touchdown, scored on a 5-yard run for the go-ahead score on the first play of the fourth quarter and even completed a 23-yard pass in the second half.

The Sabers leaned on Lave in their possession of the overtime period as well. After Kamehameha kicked a field goal to go up 23-20, Lave took two snaps behind center with a pair of runs to set up Brayden Medeiros’ walk-off TD pass to Zayne Pasion.

“First I just want to give all the praise and glory to God,” said Lave, a four-year starter. “So many blessings. My family always showing love. The Ewa Beach community always supporting me. And our coaches for trusting in me.”

The road to the championship began long before Friday night, Lave said. It began after last year’s semifinal loss to Saint Louis, in what was a devastating end to the season for a team that started the season with nine consecutive victories.

“The week after we lost in 2024, we were back in the weight room. The work started there,” Lave said. “All the hard work and dedication led to a state championship.”

For Lave, the journey is personal. Each of his four seasons ended one step short: state semifinals as a freshman, state semifinals as a sophomore, heartbreak again as a junior.

Individually he shined with multiple All-OIA and All-Hawaii first-team selections, interception returns, punt-return touchdowns, but the ultimate prize always slipped away.

“It means a lot,” Lave said, moments after embracing family members. “All (the past) years always falling short… I just had to put it all out for the boys, for the community, for our school, for my family.”

Lave and the Sabers endured heart break during the season too. With losses to Mililani, Kapolei and Kahuku, Campbell’s state tournament hopes were on a lifeline.

But the Sabers rallied with a last minute touchdown against Mililani in the rematch before stunning Kahuku in the state semifinals with a go-ahead score with two seconds left on the clock.

Lave was at the controls in that win against the Red Raiders, running in two TDs, including the game-winner on fourth-and-goal.

“We found ourselves in that Mililani game,” Lave said. “Then going on to Kahuku and beating them… all that film, all that hard work helped us in the long run.”

Campbell head coach Darren Johnson constantly praised Lave in the midst of the Sabers’ championship run and after it was complete.

“Man, he’s such a special young man,” Johnson said. “People follow him. Coaches listen to him. He’s undersized but plays big, reminds me a lot of my son.”

Johnson said Lave is more than a star athlete. He is the example.

“Because he leads by example, his teammates follow,” Johnson said. “He’s quiet, humble, and when he speaks, our team listens.”

Lave’s work ethic has been there since youth football with Fiyah Squad. His also versatility extends beyond the gridiron. Johnson noted he’s “a heck of a baseball player” and one of the most coachable athletes he has worked with.

The SDSU-bound Lave finishes his senior season with 77 total tackles, 10 for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups.

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808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl Returns to Waipahu on December 20

808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl Returns to Waipahu on December 20

Dec 9, 2025

In game action from the 2024 808 Senior P.R.O Bowl. | Photo Credit: Andrew Lee

808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl Returns to Waipahu on December 20

BY HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 9, 2025

The next wave of Hawai‘i football talent gets its moment under the spotlight as the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl returns to Masa Yonamine Complex on Saturday, December 20. Hosted by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF), the annual showcase brings together senior standouts from across the islands for a full day of football, development, and opportunity.

Four games highlight the afternoon and evening slate, paired with an 8 a.m. girls flag football clinic designed to grow the sport and expand access for young female athletes.

A Showcase Rooted in Opportunity

For many participants, this event may be the final chance to perform in front of college coaches. And the results speak loudly:

  • 40 unrecruited athletes earned college opportunities after last year’s P.R.O. Bowl.

  • One Waianae senior with zero offers walked away with an offer from the University of Hawai‘i.

The NFF—backed by 120 chapters in 47 states and recognized nationally as a 501(c)(3)—is dedicated to using amateur football as a platform for leadership, sportsmanship, academic discipline, and personal growth. Here in Hawai‘i, the chapter remains committed to leveling the playing field for athletes who cannot afford mainland camps or high-cost showcases. The Senior P.R.O. Bowl ensures they’re still seen, still evaluated, and still given a pathway forward.

Coaches From Across the Islands Unite

This year’s Senior P.R.O. Bowl brings together an impressive lineup of coaches representing programs from across the state.

The teams will be coached by a collective of respected local leaders, including:

  • David Murray (Kea‘au)

  • Brad Uemoto (Konawaena)

  • Tyson Valle (Kekaulike)

  • Kena Heffernan (Pac-5)

  • Darren Johnson (Campbell)

  • Bryson Carvalho (Waipahu)

  • Mika Li‘ili‘i (Aiea)

On the girls’ side, the flag football clinic and showcase will feature coaching from Gabe Valentin (Kealakehe), Will Naboa (Campbell), Dawny Jones (Roosevelt / WEAH Foundation)—a key figure in advancing girls flag football opportunities across the state.

Together, these coaches represent every corner of the islands and a shared mission of helping student-athletes take the next step toward collegiate opportunities.

Game Day Schedule – Saturday, December 20, 2025

12:30 PM — Hawai‘i Seniors–Black vs. O‘ahu Seniors–Blue
3:00 PM — Maui Seniors–Pink vs. O‘ahu Seniors–Gold
6:00 PM — Hawai‘i Wahine–Red vs. O‘ahu Wahine–Yellow (Girls Juniors & Seniors Flag Football)
7:30 PM — O‘ahu Seniors–White vs. O‘ahu Seniors–Red

Football Rosters: CLICK HERE
Girls Flag Football Rosters: CLICK HERE

Purchase Tickets: CLICK HERE

All games will be held at the Masa Yonamine Complex, Waipahu High School.

Mahalo to Fantastic Sams Hawai‘i

Fantastic Sams Hawai‘i is a proud supporter of the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl, helping elevate opportunities for local student-athletes and strengthening the foundation of Hawai‘i’s football community.

Supporting the Mission

The Hawai‘i Chapter of the National Football Foundation remains focused on:

  • Providing scholarship opportunities tied to both athletics and academics

  • Supporting families who cannot afford exposure camps on the continent

  • Ensuring every student-athlete—regardless of circumstance—has a chance to be evaluated by college coaches

  • Using football as a tool for leadership, discipline, and lifelong growth

The 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl is more than a showcase. It’s a lifeline. A celebration. A chance for Hawai‘i’s young athletes to chase dreams they’ve earned.

PHOTOS FROM THE 2024 808 SENIOR P.R.O. BOWL

Campbell outlasts Kamehameha in overtime to win first HHSAA Open title

Campbell outlasts Kamehameha in overtime to win first HHSAA Open title

Dec 6, 2025

The Campbell Sabers celebrate after winning the first HHSAA Open Division state title in program history. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Campbell outlasts Kamehameha in overtime to win first HHSAA Open title

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 6, 2025

HONOLULU – There will be fireworks all night in ‘Ewa Beach.

The Campbell Sabers (9-3) capped off the high school football season in prime fashion Friday night at T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the campus of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, taking down Kamehameha-Kapālama (5-5) in overtime of the 2025 First Hawaiian Bank Football Championships Open Division title game, 26-23, to claim the second state championship in program history.

Senior QB Brayden Medeiros completed 11-of-15 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns for the Sabers, including the game-winning pass to Zayne Pasion on the final play of the game to become the third program in nine seasons to take home an Open state championship.

San Diego State commit Tainoa Lave did a little bit of everything in his final high school game for Campbell as he recorded a game-high 11 tackles (10 solo) on defense, a 55-yard punt return on special teams and 50 yards of total offense (plus a rushing touchdown) to clinch the win.

After the teams traded stops across a scoreless opening quarter, Lave provided the first true spark of the night for either side with his 55-yard punt return, taking advantage of a sleeping Warriors coverage unit to set up the Sabers at the KSK 21 to begin the second period.

Campbell wasted little time capitalizing, seeing Medeiros connect with junior Brystin Sansano on a 21-yard TD pass to grab a 7-0 lead with 10:38 remaining in the first half.

Kamehameha-Kapālama responded on the ensuing drive with the help of a free first down by way of a roughing the passer penalty on third-and-long.

After an interception in the end zone by Campbell DB Jaedon Pablo later in the drive was wiped out by another personal foul penalty against the defensive line, KSK RB Nainoa Melchor dealt the tying blow for the Warriors as he raced around the left edge for an 11-yard score.

KSK forced a punt on the following Campbell possession after Kalei Harbottle got home for a sack, allowing the Warriors to tack on a 25-yard Tyler Fujimoto field goal as time expired in the first half to take the lead for the first time all night, 10-7, as the teams went to the locker rooms for the break.

Campbell tried to snatch back the momentum when play resumed in the third, recovering a pooch kick to steal an extra possession. The Warriors defense stepped up with another stop despite the surprise second-half starting kick, seeing Harbottle get home for the second time to force the Sabers to settle for a 34-yard field goal attempt that would sail wide-right.

The teams traded stops as the third frame progressed until Campbell finally started to wear down the KSK defense with six runs down the stretch of the quarter, working inside the Warriors’ 10 as the game moved into the final 12 minutes of regulation.

Lave rammed forward five yards for a TD on the first play of the final frame to put the Sabers back in front, but Kamehameha blocked the PAT to keep within a field goal with 11:54 to play.

Campbell seemingly took full control a few minutes later after Mana Forges was hit as he threw and Shaison Kupukaa intercepted the Kamehameha quarterback near midfield. The Sabers dialed up the deep shot on the very next play as Medeiros hit Lathaniel Teleaai on for a 55-yard bomb, putting the Sabers up by 10 with 7:53 remaining in regulation.

Kamehameha was able to make it a one-possession game with 3:49 still left to work with after settling for a 22-yard field goal from Fujimoto. WR Jayden Braun looked to have a diving TD catch on 2nd-and-Goal, but replay review overturned the call on the field after showing the ball hit the ground before he secured it.

After forcing a punt by the Sabers to get one last chance, Kamehameha marched 75 yards down the field in 73 seconds to tie the game at 20 as Hazyn Botelho ran tough for an 11-yard touchdown to force overtime for the first time since the Open Division Championship came into existence in 2016.

Tyler Fujimoto put the Warriors up with a 31-yard field goal with their opportunity in overtime, giving the lead to Kamehameha-Kapālama while leaving the door open for a walk-off win for the Sabers.

With the door cracked, Campbell crashed into the winner’s circle as Medeiros floated a pass towards the right sideline for Zayne Pasion for a game-winning 17-yard TD to clinch the program’s first Open Division championship and second overall state title in football.

Kamehameha QB Mana Forges wrapped up his senior season completing 15-of-33 pass attempts for 129 yards, throwing for one touchdown and one interception in the loss. Senior RB Nainoa Melchor racked up a game-high 102 yards rushing and a touchdown while leading the Warriors with four catches for 37 yards out of the backfield.

“I want to cry without crying; I don’t want to go to sleep,” An emotional ninth-year head coach Darren Johnson said after the victory. “I just want to say thank you to everybody.”

The Sabers become just the second OIA program to take home a state title in Hawai’i’s highest level of high school competition and the third program overall to win the Open Division since its creation. Powerhouses Kahuku and Saint Louis were the lone two programs to win across the first eight title games, seeing Punahou and Mililani sneak into the game a few times only to fall in three separate tries.

Campbell also dealt the first-ever HHSAA state title game loss to the Kamehameha-Kapālama football program. The Warriors had won each of their previous appearances in the Division I title game in both 2004 and 2009.

It also checked off one of the biggest remaining boxes for Johnson, who had previous stops with Kailua and Kaimuki before Campbell but had never made it to a state title game, let alone won one.

The veteran head coach finally reached the pinnacle of Hawai’i high school football. He’s got a community fit for the celebration, too.

“Brah, I don’t know if they’re going to sleep tonight,” Johnson said of the team bringing a state championship back to ‘Ewa Beach. “I don’t know, if [the community] got firecrackers going off tonight … I just love these kids.”

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Hawaii handles Wyoming on Senior Night to reclaim Paniolo Trophy

Hawaii handles Wyoming on Senior Night to reclaim Paniolo Trophy

Nov 29, 2025

Hawaii QB Micah Alejado awaits a snap with RB Cam Barfield in the backfield. | Photo Credit: Rayden Aoki, HSRN

Hawai’i handles Wyoming on Senior Night to reclaim Paniolo Trophy

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 29, 2025

HONOLULU – Send the seniors off strong – well, sort of send them off.

The University of Hawai’i football team closed the regular season on a high note Saturday, reclaiming possession of the Paniolo Trophy for the first time since 2021 with a 27-7 drubbing of the University of Wyoming (4-8, 2-6 Mountain West) on Senior Night.

Running back Cam Barfield enjoyed a solid showing with 94 yards of offense (career-high 77 yards rushing, 17 yards receiving) to go with the second multi-TD game of his career as the junior snagged a score and ran in another.

It marked the eighth straight year that Hawai’i (8-4, 5-3 Mountain West) sent off seniors with a victory in the regular season finale, though UH still has another game to play after clinching bowl eligibility for the first time under HC Timmy Chang.

Redshirt freshman QB Micah Alejado finished off a historic freshman campaign for UH, breaking his own head coach’s record for most TD passes in a freshman season (19) with his 20th and 21st passing scores of 2025. The southpaw racked up 289 passing yards while completing 17-of-24 passes in the win but did throw his ninth interception of the year on the Rainbow Warriors’ opening drive.

Sophomore WR Jackson Harris set a new season-high for all UH receivers with 153 yards on just four receptions, hauling in his 12th touchdown as a Rainbow Warrior in the second quarter as Alejado tossed a dime for a 78-yard catch-and-run score.

After an Alejado pick-six put the Rainbow Warriors behind early, the lefty signal caller and company quickly responded with a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to tie the game at 7 with 3:52 to play in the opening quarter as Barfield found paydirt on a 19-yard pass from his fellow Bishop Gorman product.

Hawai’i added on in the second quarter as Kansei Matsuzawa connected on a field goal from 47 yards out before the 78-yard Harris house call made it 17-7 in favor of the hosts with 4:47 remaining in the first half.

Matsuzawa’s second 47-yard kick tied the all-time FBS record set in 1982 by Washington’s Chuck Nelson for consecutive FG makes to begin a season (25), eliciting an extra cheer from the fans inside the sold-out Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex as the Rainbow Warriors took a 20-7 lead into the locker room.

Barfield put the bow on top of a celebratory night for the Rainbow Warriors to begin the third quarter, breaking ankles on the way to a career-long 41-yard rushing TD to cap off the 20-point win early for Hawai’i.

The defense bounced back in a big way after a rough showing against UNLV last weekend, holding a visiting opponent without an offensive TD for the third time this season while completely shutting out the Cowboys offense. The unit also racked up season highs with 10 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and seven punts forced.

Senior DB Jaheim Wilson-Jones had his own spotlight moment, coming up with an impressive diving interception in the fourth quarter for his first career pick.

Seniors De’Jon Benton and Jackie Johnson III each had 0.5 sacks to improve upon their team-leading totals while senior LB Jalen Smith tallied his first sack of the year for the Rainbow Warriors.

Peter Manuma finished one tackle shy of his career high as the senior safety racked up a team-best 11 tackles in his final regular season game. The Campbell alum also added 1.5 TFLs and a PBU, flying all over the field to make an impact for UH.

Freshman QB Mason Drube finished the night completing 17-of-32 passes for 179 yards and an interception in the loss for Wyoming. Senior TE John Michael Gyllenborg led the way in the receiving department for the Cowboys, hauling in six passes for 39 yards in his final college game.

Following the win, Hawai’i celebrated 26 seniors that played their final home regular season game. After racking up the program’s first 8+ win season since 2019 and tying a program best 5-3 finish in Mountain West play, the Rainbow Warriors are a hot candidate for a return to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.

Regardless of where the final game of 2025 is for Hawai’i, the season finished a magical transformation in Mānoa under Timmy Chang that was spearheaded by the graduating group of 26.

The islands showed appreciation for that graduating 26 on Saturday night, saying mahalo for the memories that will never fade.

But maybe just a few more on December 24, if that’s not too much to ask?

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