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2023 Game Highlights

The 2023 Polynesian Bowl was played at Kūnuiākea Stadium on the Kamehameha Kapālama campus on Friday, January 20. Team Muaka (Mountain, black jerseys) came away with a 22-15 victory over Team Makai (Ocean, white jerseys) which was broadcast live on NFL Network.

Strong play by offensive MVP QB Nico Iamaleava, and by defensive MVP LB Andrew Harris helped the Mark Richt-coached Team Mauka to a 22-15 win over Romeo Crennel-coached Team Makai in the 2023 Polynesian Bowl.

Iamaleava solidified himself as the top quarterback prospect in the 2023 class going 13-20 for 186 yards 1 TD and another 63 yards on the ground. Harris had two sacks and 3.5 tackles.

At halftime, Team Mauka had a 13-10 lead. Top WR in the class of 2023 Zachariah Branch caught an 11- yard touchdown from QB Nico Iamaleava, Stanford commit Aidan Flintoft also knocked in two FGs in the first half.

Team Makai QB and Arizona commit Brayden Dorman was sharp all game going 10-17 for 133 yards and 2 TDs, both caught by Nebraska commit Malachi Coleman. Coleman’s second touchdown was for 35 yards and put Team Makai up 17-13.

In the 4th quarter, Iamaleava came back in the game to lead his team down the field, capped off by a go-ahead 8-yard touchdown run by Ole Miss commit Kedrick Reescano in what would be the final scoring play of the game. Reescano finished the game with 104 total yards and 1 TD.

Team Makai had a chance to pull back ahead, receiving the ball with 2:43 left in play, a fourth down sack from Leviticus Su’a (who made his commitment to Arizona during the game) put an end to that opportunity solidifying the win for Team Mauka.

View Full Game Stats →

2023 Polynesian Bowl Roster

  • Tiumalu Afalava Player Background

    DL Bishop Amat, CA Samoan ancestry

  • Leonard Ah You Player Background

    LB Kahuku, HI Fijian, Hawaiian & Samoan ancestry

  • Kaiki Akana Player Background

    OLOrem, UT

  • Tausili Akana Player Background

    DE Skyridge, UT Samoan and Hawaiian ancestry

  • Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu Player Background

    LB Campbell, HI

  • Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio Player Background

    RBKonawaena, HI

  • Micah Bañuelos Player Background

    OL Kennedy Catholic, WA Samoan ancestry

  • Jackson Bowers Player Background

    TEMountain View, AZ

  • Zachariah Branch Player Background

    WR Bishop Gorman, NV

  • Gannon Burt Player Background

    LS Fort Mill, SC

  • Kainoa Carvalho Player Background

    WR Kahuku, HI Hawaiian ancestry

  • Hunter Clegg Player Background

    DEAmerican Fork, UT

  • Malachi Coleman Player Background

    WRLincoln East, NB

  • Kodi Decambra Player Background

    S Bishop Gorman, NV Hawaiian ancestry

  • Nick Delgadillo Player Background

    WR St. Louis School, HI

  • Scotty Dikilato Player Background

    OL Kamehameha Schools - Kapālama, HI Hawaiian ancestry 

  • Brayden Dorman Player Background

    QBVista Ridge, CO

  • Siale Esera Player Background

    LB Timpview, UT Samoan ancestry

  • Enow Etta Player Background

    DLCovenant Christian Academy, TX

  • Spencer Fano Player Background

    OT Timpview, UT Samoan ancestry 

  • Palaie Faoa Player Background

    LB Bishop Gorman, NV Samoan ancestry 

  • Aidan Flintoft Player Background

    K/P Oaks Christian, CA

  • Brock Fonoimoana Player Background

    S Kahuku, HI

  • Jshawn Frausto-Ramos Player Background

    CBBosco, CA

  • AJ Fuimaono Player Background

    DL Liberty, NV Samoan ancestry 

  • Kekahi Graham Player Background

    QBSt. Louis, HI

  • Michael Harris Player Background

    LB Lake Brantley, FL

  • Andrew Harris Player Background

    LB Lake Brantley, FL

  • Landen Hatchett Player Background

    OTFerndale, WA

  • Pokaiaua Haunga Player Background

    RB Timpview, UT Hawaiian, Māori & Tongan

  • Mateaki Helu Player Background

    LB Tooele, UT

  • Amir Herring Player Background

    OL West Bloomfield, MI

  • DJ Hicks Player Background

    DL Katy Paetow, TX

  • Brandyn Hillman Player Background

    CBChurchland, VA

  • Vincent Holmes Player Background

    WRSan Jacinto, CA

  • Bo Hughley Player Background

    OTLangston Hughes, GA

  • Gavin Hunter Player Background

    WR Mililani, HI Samoan ancestry

  • Nicholaus Iamaleava Player Background

    QB Warren, CA Samoan ancestry

  • Sheyden Iokia Player Background

    WRKamehameha, HIHawaiian ancestry

  • Howie Iongi Player Background

    DLKahuku, HITongan ancestry 

  • Dijon Johnson Player Background

    SWharton, FL

  • Gabarri Johnson Player Background

    QBLincoln, WA

  • Brenden Jordan Player Background

    S Mansfield, TX

  • Quinten Joyner Player Background

    RB Manor, TX

  • Kamuela Kaaihue Player Background

    LB Roosevelt, HI Hawaiian ancestry 

  • Trech Kekahuna Player Background

    WRBishop Gorman, NV

  • Isaiah Kema Player Background

    OL Frenship, TX Hawaiian ancestry 

  • Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole Player Background

    WR Campbell, HI

  • LIONA LEFAU Player Background

    LB Kahauku, HI Samoan ancestry

  • Iapani Laloulu Player Background

    OL Farrington, HI Samoan ancestry

  • Jonah Lea’ea Player Background

    DE Bishop Gorman, NV Samoan ancestry 

  • Makai Lemon Player Background

    WR Los Alamitos, CA Hawaiian ancestry

  • Jayden Limar Player Background

    RBLake Stevens, WA

  • Jalani Liva Player Background

    OL Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Samoan ancestry 

  • Caleb Lomu Player Background

    OT Highland, AZ Tongan ancestry 

  • Solomone Malafu Player Background

    LBKapa'a, HITongan ancestry 

  • Isaac Maugaleoo Player Background

    OL Campbell, HI

  • Francis Mauigoa Player Background

    OT IMG Academy, FL Samoan ancsetry

  • Omarion Miller Player Background

    WR North Caddo, LA

  • Jason Moore Player Background

    DL DeMatha Catholic, MD

  • Mason Muaau Player Background

    WR Campbell, HI

  • Malachi Nelson Player Background

    QB Los Alamitos, CA

  • Blake Nichelson Player Background

    LB Manteca, CA

  • Simione Pale Player Background

    OL Elk Grove, CA Tongan ancestry

  • Vaifanua Peko Player Background

    S Samoana, AS Samoan ancestry 

  • Domata Peko, Jr. Player Background

    DE Calabasas, CA Samoan ancestry 

  • Rodrick Pleasant Player Background

    CB Junipero Serra, CA

  • Vita Pome Player Background

    DL Layton Christian Academy Tongan ancestry 

  • Stanley Raass Player Background

    DLKahuku, HI

  • Kedrick Reescano Player Background

    RBNew Caney, TX

  • Duce Robinson Player Background

    TE Pinnacle, AZ

  • Isaiah Robinson Player Background

    OT Lamar, TX

  • Ezekiel Rodrigues Player Background

    DB Mililani, HI

  • Bravion Rogers Player Background

    CB La Grange, TX

  • Travis Ross Player Background

    DB Punahou School, HI

  • Tyson Ruffins Player Background

    OL Long Beach Poly, CA Samoan ancestry

  • John-Keawe Sagapolutele Player Background

    QB Punahou School, HI

  • Julian Savaiinaea Player Background

    DL St. Louis School, HI Samoan ancestry 

  • Calvin Simpson-Hunt Player Background

    CB Waxahachie, TX

  • Smith Snowden Player Background

    CBSkyridge, UT

  • David Stanphill Player Background

    LS Glynn Academy, GA

  • Leviticus Su Player Background

    LB Mater Dei, CA Samoan ancestry

  • Taliafi Taala Player Background

    OT Alta, UT Samoan ancestry

  • Amos Talalele Player Background

    OG Santa Clara, CA Samoan ancestry 

  • Conor Talty Player Background

    K/P St. Rita, IL

  • Iosefa Tapeni Player Background

    DL Kapolei, HI

  • Josiah Timoteo Player Background

    OL Waianae, HISamoan ancestry 

  • Viliamu Toilolo Jr. Player Background

    CB Kahuku, HI

  • Teitum Tuioti Player Background

    DE Sheldon, OR Samoan ancestry

  • Matayo Uiagalelei Player Background

    DE St. John Bosco, CA Samoan ancestry

  • Rashid Williams Player Background

    WR Pittsburg, CA

  • Riley Williams Player Background

    TE Central Catholic, OR

  • Marquese Williams Player Background

    RB Bishop McDevitt, PA

  • Zak Yamauchi Player Background

    OLBishop Gorman, NV