The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the establishment of the Polynesian High School Player of the Year Award and 2017 watch list.
The award will be presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian senior high school football player in the country.
Twelve players from Hawaii made the initial watch list of 52 kids. Additional players may be added during the season.
Five finalists for the award will be announced on Dec. 7 and the winner will be announced on Jan. 19, 2018, during the Polynesian Bowl Hall of Fame enshrinement week and celebration dinner at the Sheraton Waikiki.
The winner will also be recognized at halftime of the 2018 Polynesian Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018.
The 12 players from Hawaii selected are:
Stephen Barber, QB, Punahou
Chevan Cordeiro, QB, Saint Louis (Committed to Hawaii)
Kukea Emmsley, DE, Kapolei (Committed to Boise State)
Aaron Faumui, DT, Kapolei
Kana’i Mauga, DE, Waianae (Committed to USC)
Samson Reed, DE, Kahuku (Committed to Virginia)
Rocky Savea, LB, Kapolei
Isaiah Tufaga, DB, Saint Louis
Zion Tupuola-Fetui, DL/LB, Pearl City
Alama Uluave, OL, Punahou
Sione Veikoso, OL, Kailua
Jonah Welch, DE, Kamehameha
congrats. and good luck. hoping for a relatively injury-free season to enjoy hawaii HS football this season.
Congrats to all on the list! Its amazing that the only 2 QBs on that list is from Hawaii. Great Job Hawaii in showing that polynesians can play the QB position. However that STL QB got on the list and no one even saw him play last year yet SolJay as a freshman led Kahuku to the state title game and even performed well against BG which shows that he had the mental toughness even as a frosh.
Mark my words this year Soljay will lead Kahuku to the title cause he is a straight up baller, got some accuracy issues but his allaround skill set is off the charts and is better then any other QB in hawaii, im not talking about the arm im talking the whole package. Also why isnt Taulia Tagovaloa on the list, even though he moved to Alabama he will tear it up anywhere.
I’m pretty sure this list is seniors. Taulia will be a junior. Plenty of underclassman talent all over Hawaii too.
Anywaaays- maybe you should read the article carefully. Kahuku was good last year because of there defense and running backs. They will never produce a passing QB with that offense. Like I said in other post somebody must know something about this kid at St. Louis for him to get this exposure. Instead of knocking him down maybe you should see how he plays first before you judge him.
Nobody reads articles nowdays, we only read headlines! What you the teachers pet?
No but before you make a comment read the damn article first so you no look stupid!
This is a good list of SENIORS from HAWAII, and as it says in the article more may be added as the year goes on. Good luck to all of the players this season. God bless you all.
eh Hyn hows about you copy/paste the article in the comment section so I can read um ha Einstein! cause until then I not going read the DAMN article.
….oh..Daniel Kahapea..hmmm so it mentioned they going add more to the list during the year? rgr dat!
My only question with this damn watch list is when are they going to announce the finalists?
Why are there so few kids selected from Hawaii for the game but listed on the preseason watch list. There are about 40% Non-Polys selected for the “Polynesian”
Sometimes, its just a matter if you attended camps during the summer and get exposure.
Unfortunately, not all the Fams can afford to send their kids and have to find other ways to get their child out to the colleges.
Not saying that is the case here but for some it definitely is.
Thats why sometimes you have guys on the list that havent done a thing in their HS career but attend these camps where they do well and get on the radar.
In some cases, they do well at 7 on 7 camps but return home and dont do so hot when its 11 on 11, but, they on the radar and pass the eye test.
Good luck and congratulations to all the players that are on the list thus far.