More Than a Game: 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl Returns With Opportunity at the Center

BY HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 16, 2025

For Hawai‘i’s high school football seniors still searching for their next opportunity, the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl has become more than an all-star event. It’s a lifeline.

Now entering its second annual edition, the showcase returns on Saturday, December 20, to Waipahu High School’s Masa Yonamine Complex, once again bringing together senior football players from across the islands for a single-day event built on exposure, evaluation, and belief. Hosted by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF), the P.R.O. Bowl is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: Hawai‘i athletes deserve access to college opportunities without the financial barriers that often stand in the way.

That philosophy has already produced results.

Following last year’s event, dozens of student-athletes found doors opening that once seemed closed. According to Hawai‘i NFF Chapter Director Ray Ma’ae, the reward for months of planning came not just from the on-field performances, but from what followed. “The biggest reward from everything,” Ma’ae reflected, “was seeing players give maximum effort and then receive real opportunities afterward,” including multiple college offers that came directly as a result of the game.

Among those moments was a defining one for Kington Costales, a Waianae High School senior who entered the showcase with no offers—and left with a Division I full-ride scholarship to the University of Hawai‘i. Stories like that have come to define what the Senior P.R.O. Bowl represents.

Maui Seniors-Pink Team 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl: Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kauai Seniors | Photo Credit: Blastathletics.com

A One-Day Format With a Bigger Purpose

Unlike traditional all-star events spread across multiple weekends or states, the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl is intentionally designed as a one-day, island-wide gathering. That structure wasn’t accidental.

Ma’ae explained that the original vision included multiple dates and formats, but scheduling realities—and a desire to include every island—ultimately shaped the current model. “We wanted all the islands and all the seniors to participate in one big event,” he said, emphasizing the importance of bringing Hawai‘i’s football community together in a way that feels unified and accessible

The result is a full slate of games that allows college coaches to evaluate athletes in multiple settings, positions, and matchups—often seeing players showcase skills they didn’t have the chance to display during the regular season. For some, that flexibility has made all the difference.

Island Coaches, Shared Mission

This year’s P.R.O. Bowl continues that collaborative spirit, with teams coached by respected leaders from every corner of the state. The sidelines will feature coaches from Hawai’i Island, Maui, and O’ahu, each bringing their own perspective but working toward a common goal: putting student-athletes in the best possible position to be seen.

The teams will be coached by David Murray (Kea‘au), Brad Uemoto (Konawaena), Tyson Valle (Kekaulike), Kena Heffernan (Pac-5), Darren Johnson (Campbell), Bryson Carvalho (Waipahu), and Mika Li‘ili‘i (Aiea).

For Ma’ae, having island representation on both the field and the coaching staff is essential. Hawai‘i athletes, particularly those from neighbor islands, don’t always receive the same level of exposure as their mainland counterparts. The Senior P.R.O. Bowl is designed to change that narrative.

College Eyes on Hawai‘i Talent

The impact of the Senior P.R.O. Bowl extends beyond the high school sidelines, and this year’s event will once again include college coaches actively recruiting in Hawai‘i.

Among those confirmed to be in attendance is Dustin Yorek, the offensive coordinator at Valley City State University and the Vikings’ primary Hawai’i recruiter. Yorek has helped build a strong pipeline of island players to North Dakota, crediting their success to the level of coaching and year-round preparation they receive at home. “Football is loved in Hawai‘i and kids there can train year round with great coaches,” Yorek said, noting that Hawai‘i athletes often arrive “polished” and ready to contribute early in their college careers.

Valley City State has steadily grown its Hawai‘i contingent in recent years, with island athletes carving out meaningful roles in North Dakota. Yorek’s presence at the P.R.O. Bowl reflects exactly what the event is designed to provide: direct access, real evaluation, and face-to-face connections between student-athletes and college programs that are actively investing in Hawai‘i talent.

Eleven football players from Hawai’i pose for a photo as members of the Valley City State University Vikings.

Access Without the Cost

At its core, the event reflects the broader mission of the National Football Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization with more than 120 chapters across 47 states. Nationally, the NFF is known for promoting leadership, sportsmanship, competitive excellence, and academic achievement through football. Locally, the Hawai‘i chapter has taken that mission and tailored it to the realities of island life.

“We’re serving a population of student-athletes who can’t afford to travel to the mainland or pay the exorbitant fees tied to some showcases,” Ma’ae said, pointing to the financial challenges many families face.

By keeping events local—and often free—the organization ensures that opportunity isn’t limited by circumstance.

Community Support Makes It Possible

Events of this scale don’t happen without community backing, and the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl continues to grow thanks to local partners who believe in the mission.

Among them, Fantastic Sams Hawai‘i stands as a proud supporter of the event, helping ensure that Hawai‘i’s seniors have a stage to showcase their talent and take meaningful steps toward their next chapter.

1st Practice For Oahu Team Gold, One Of Six Tackle Teams Participating on December 20, 2025 in The 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl @ Waipahu HS.| Photo Credit: @808ProDay

Looking Ahead

As the 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl enters another year, the focus remains firmly on the athletes. The names, schools, and storylines may change, but the purpose does not.

For one day in December, Hawai‘i’s senior football players will share the same field, the same spotlight, and the same opportunity—to prove they belong at the next level.

And for many, that opportunity may be the one that changes everything.

CLICK HERE 2025 808 Senior P.R.O. Bowl game schedule, rosters, ticket info, and more.