Former Kapolei quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and Saint Louis defensive lineman Faatui Tuitele are among the first 24 Polynesian Bowl all-stars selected for the 2019 Polynesian Bowl, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019.
Kapolei offensive lineman Julius Buelow, Punahou linebacker Maninoa Tufono and Kahuku offensive lineman Enokk Vimahi have also been invited to play.
Tagovailoa, who threw for 3,919 yards and 42 touchdowns and led Kapolei to a 10-3 record and appearance in the state semifinals in the Open Division as a sophomore, transferred to Thompson Academy in Alabama prior to his junior year.
He was recently named the Shelby County Reporter player of the year after leading Thompson to a 12-1 record. Tagovailoa threw for 3,823 yards and 35 touchdowns and has surpassed 10,000 passing yards in his high school career.
Tuitele, who is one of six five-star recruits invited to the game, was recently named to Max Preps’ junior All-America first team for the past season. Tuitele, who is 6-foot-4 and 299 pounds, is the No. 2 defensive tackle prospect in the country and the 29th overall prospect in the class of 2019 according to 247Sports.
Vimahi, who is listed at 6-5 and 270, is the No. 14-ranked offensive tackle and 110th overall prospect in the class of 2019 according to 247Sports.
Tufono (6-2, 220) is the fourth-ranked inside linebacker prospect and No. 133 overall prospect while Buelow (6-7, 290) is the 17th-ranked offensive tackle and No. 158 overall prospect.
Other top prospect in the country invited include running back Devyn Ford of North Stafford, Va., outside linebacker Henry To’oto’o of De La Salle (Calif.), defensive lineman Ishmael Sopsher of Amite, La., athlete Horace “Bru” McCoy of Mater Dei (Calif.) and safety Brian Williams of Bishop Dunne, Tex.
Players will be invited throughout the year with approximately 26 more selections from Hawaii that will be made during the 2018 high school football season.
2019 Polynesian Bowl Selections
5« Devyn Ford, RB; North Stafford, VA
5« Horace “Bru” McCoy, ATH; Mater Dei, CA
5« Ishmael Sopsher, DL; Amite, LA
5« Henry To’oto’o, OLB; De La Salle, CA; Samoan ancestry
5« Faatui Tuitele, DT; St. Louis School, HI; Samoan ancestry
5« Brian Williams, S; Bishop Dunne, TX
4« CJ Alatini, DE; Timpview, UT; Tongan ancestry
4« Antonio Alfano, DL; Rahway, NJ
4« Hank Bachmeier, QB; Murrieta Valley, CA
4« Jacob Bandes, DL; Pittsburg, CA
4« Julius Buelow, OT; Kapolei, HI; Tongan ancestry
4« Kyle Ford, WR; Orange Lutheran, CA
4« Mase Funa, OLB; Mater Dei, CA; Tongan ancestry
4« Grant Gunnell, QB; St. Pius X, TX
4« Joshua Pakola, OLB; St. Francis, CA; Samoan & Tongan ancestry
4« Matthew Pola-Mao, DT; Mountain Pointe, AZ; Samoan ancestry
4« Sua’ava Poti, DT; St. John Bosco, CA; Samoan ancestry
4« Chris Steele, CB; St. John Bosco, CA
4« Taulia Tagovailoa, QB; Thompson, AL; Samoan ancestry
4« Marist Talavoa, OG; St. John Bosco, CA; Samoan ancestry
4« Jonah Tauanu’u, OT; Narbonne, CA; Samoan ancestry
4« Maninoa Tufono, ILB; Punahou, HI; Samoan, Tokelauan & Tongan ancestry
4« Enokk Vimahi, OT; Kahuku, HI; Samoan & Tongan
4« Max Williams, CB; Junipero Serra, CA; Hawaiian ancestry
So the only listed Hawaiian is from California? OK.