Team Mauka Shines in Polynesian Bowl Behind Emerging 2027 Stars
HONOLULU - The Polynesian Bowl has long been a showcase for the next wave of football talent, and this year’s edition didn’t disappoint. Team Mauka came out firing and never looked back, riding a blend of explosive offensive playmaking and suffocating defense to a wire-to-wire win over Team Makai.
The tone was set early in the second quarter when 2027 quarterback Sione Kaho connected with Ohio State signee Chris Henry Jr. on a crisp 4-yard touchdown pass. It was a textbook red zone execution - quick release, tight window, and a confident grab from Henry Jr., who continues to look every bit the part of a future Buckeye playmaker. That score gave Mauka a lead they’d hold for the rest of the game.
Just moments later, the defense made its presence felt. Chris Whitehead, one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 class, forced a fumble that was scooped up by Vanderbilt commit Omarii Sanders - another standout from the 2027 group. It was a momentum-swinging sequence that showed Mauka’s defense wasn’t just fast - it was opportunistic.
Then came the knockout punch. Eric McFarland III, another rising 2027 star, took a reverse 35 yards to the house, showcasing elite burst and vision. That touchdown pushed Mauka’s lead to 14-0, and from there, the defense did the rest.
McFarland wasn’t done, either. He put together a complete performance, racking up over 100 all-purpose yards.
His stat line included four catches for 66 yards, and he looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. It was no surprise when he walked away with Offensive MVP honors - he was the spark plug that kept Mauka’s offense humming.
On the receiving end, Oregon-bound Jalen Lott led all players with five catches for 53 yards. Lott’s route running was sharp, and he consistently found soft spots in Makai’s coverage, giving Kaho a reliable target in key moments.
Defensively, Mauka was relentless. Sanders led the way with five tackles and was all over the field, while Oklahoma commit Krew Jones and Texas A&M signee Samu Moala each recorded two tackles for loss. Jones also forced a fumble, and the Mauka defense held Makai to just 81 total yards - a dominant showing from a unit that played fast, physical, and with purpose.
For Team Makai, there were still some bright spots - none brighter than 2027 defensive lineman George Toia. Despite the loss, Toia was a force in the trenches, racking up six tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry. His motor never stopped, and his performance earned him Defensive MVP honors.
USC signee Simote Katoanga also made his presence felt with 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Washington signee David Schwerzel was there to recover that loose ball, giving Makai a brief window of opportunity.
Their only points came off the leg of Mateo Orosco, who drilled a 29-yard field goal - a small dent in what was otherwise a wall put up by Mauka’s defense.
The game also delivered a bit of history. In a first for the Polynesian Bowl, a player used the national stage to make a public transfer announcement.
Salesi Moa, Utah’s top-ranked 2026 recruit, revealed mid-game that he’s transferring to Michigan. Moa had originally committed to and enrolled at Utah, but after head coach Kyle Whittingham took the job in Ann Arbor, Moa entered the portal and opted to follow him.
Moa nearly added a highlight to his announcement, jumping a Kaho pass and taking it back to the end zone. It was ruled he stepped out of bounds, though replays were inconclusive - a near pick-six that would’ve been the exclamation point on a whirlwind week for the talented defender.
In a game filled with future college stars, Team Mauka’s complete performance stood out. From young playmakers like McFarland and Henry Jr. to a defense that refused to give up an inch, this was a statement win on a national stage. And for fans watching closely, it was a glimpse at the next generation of stars ready to make their mark.