A week of heartbreak ends with a weekend in the home of America’s Team.
Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, Peter Manuma and Wynden Ho‘ohuli will play in the Pylon All-American games on Sunday in AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The three Hawaii players — Mokiao-Atimalala and Manuma of Campbell, and Ho‘ohuli of Mililani — have a workout with the Stars squad on Saturday. Game day is Sunday.
“This is for the 808,” said Mokiao-Atimalala, a Star-Advertiser All-State wide receiver last year. “We have a lot of coaches, but the only one we know is Kawe Johnson.”
The senior playmaker has 20 scholarship offers and pared them down to five before 2020 came to an end. His list of five: Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, UCF and USC.
Ho‘ohuli, an All-State linebacker, has 14 offers. He committed to Nebraska. Manuma, a versatile two-way player, has committed to Hawaii.
The three have been in constant workout mode back in the islands. Mokiao-Atimalala spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic working out with older brother Tamatoa, now a freshman at Hawaii.
“We’ve been doing 1-on-1s trying to get together as a small group and get some work in,” Titus Mokiao-Atimalala said.
Despite the large roster at this weekend’s event, he believes he and Manuma will see action on both sides of the ball. Mokiao-Atimalala had six interceptions as a junior and returned three for touchdowns.
He also has a message for decision makers who cancelled the Oahu Interscholastic Association fall and winter sports seasons in the past week.
“For me, I would just say that sports is big. For us, it’s our opportunity out to further our education for a lot of us. A lot of our parents put a lot of time and money into us. For the kids that don’t have offers and just need a little more film, look out for those guys and think of those guys,” he said. “If they could just really think.”
Mokiao-Atimalala is also hopeful that City and County of Honolulu Mayor-Elect Rick Blangiardi can make a big impact on the situation for high school and youth student-athletes.
“He’s been a coach (at Hawaii) so he knows what it’s like. Please, we really want to play and for a lot of our athletes, this is what they want to earn,” Mokiao-Atimalala said. “A lot of athletes on the mainland got to play.”
My nephew Tasi is in texas also for the same reason, you guys should acknowledge all the Hawaii kids .
All the Hawaii kids? Which event is Tasi at? And who are the other Hawaii kids besides him? Mahalo.
Keanu Wallace Saint Louis is the best WR in the state! Speed 10.8 100 m. Thick,explosive, and will be huge for the offense this year!
#3 HD,
How can you put Keanu as the States best WR ahead of 2 time ALL STATE WR Titus Atimalala of Campbell? Where is his stats to back it up?
I know it’s your opinion but like the ESPN NFL game day crew says,
“C’MON MAN”!!!!!!!!
Yes just my opinion. Not talking about last year or the year before and I am not taking away anything from Titus because he’s legit its just that Keanu is so much faster and thicker at this time. Talking about right now at this moment. I could be wrong but just my opinion.
SMH. Lets wait and see.
Titus has proven his skills to be in the conversation for best WR in the state.
How did Keanu do in the 2019 season?
His qualifications are his 100 meter time and that hes THICK and explosive.
Ok. I look forward to seeing him play.
BTW, who looks like they will be tossing the rock this year for the Saints??
They were the only 3 selected out of the top 56 players in the nation from Hawaii to be in the All American Team which were split into two teams. Our other boys played in the 7on 7 tournament that was hosted there also. After the 2 day tournament where the other teams played and had their championship game, the 2 All American teams played last against each other. I think that’s the reason they just mentioned the 3 athletes. Have to stop talking about whose better but show our kids how to be and get better. Stay humble and go get everything out there that’s waiting for you future student athletes.