2019 POLYNESIAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST ANNOUNCED
Honolulu, HI (August 22, 2019) –The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the 2019 Watch List for the Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year Award. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding senior high school football player of Polynesian ancestry. The Watch List is composed of 43 players from 33 different high schools.
Last year, University of Washington freshman Puka Nacua of Orem High School (Orem, UT) and University of Alabama freshman Taulia Tagovailoa of Thompson High School (Alabaster, AL) were selected as co-players of the year. USC sophomore Talanoa Hufanga of Crescent Valley High School (Corvallis, OR) was selected as the inaugural recipient of the award in 2017.
“This award showcases the immense talent of our Polynesian student-athletes.” said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. “Football for Polynesians is a way of life and an opportunity to advance their educational pursuits through a college scholarship.”
Five finalists will be unveiled on December 10, 2019. The winner will be announced on January 17, 2020 during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (Sheraton Waikiki) and will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl on December 18, 2020 at Aloha Stadium.
| First | Last | Pos | Ancestry | School |
| Maceal | Afaese | DE | Hawaiian & Samoan | Kapolei, HI |
| Moon | Ashby | LB | Samoan | Valley Christian, CA |
| Jordan | Botelho | LB | Hawaiian | St. Louis, HI |
| Jayden | de Laura | QB | Hawaiian | St. Louis, HI |
| Alfred | Failauga | RB | Samoan | Waipahu, HI |
| Sione | Fotu | LB | Samoan & Tongan | Bingham, UT |
| Taliese | Fuaga | OT | Samoan | Mount Tahoma, WA |
| Kobah | Fuamatu | LB | Samoan | Mater Dei, CA |
| Alaka'i | Gilman | S | Hawaiian | Punahou, HI |
| Muelu | Iosefa | LB | Samoan | Mililani, HI |
| Vai | Kaho | LB | Tongan | Bishop Manogue, NV |
| Kaonohi | Kaniho | CB | Hawaiian & Samoan | Kahuku, HI |
| Ace | Kaufusi | LB | Samoan | Kahuku, HI |
| Aidan | Keanaaina | DT | Hawaiian | JK Mullen, CO |
| Faaope | Laloulu | OT | Samoan | Farrington, HI |
| Peter | Latu | LB | Tongan | Bethel, WA |
| Kamo'i | Latu | S | Tongan | St. Louis, HI |
| JL | Lavea | LB | Samoan | Kahuku, HI |
| Sol-Jay | Maiava | QB | Hawaiian, Samoan & Tongan | Saint John's College Prep, DC |
| Leroy | Manogiamanu | DE | Samoan | Barlett, AK |
| Tai | Marks | OC | Samoan | Mater Dei, CA |
| Stanley | McKenzie | DE | Samoan | St. Louis, HI |
| Solatoa | Moea'i | OT | Samoan | Punahou, HI |
| Tamatoa | Mokiao-Atimalala | WR | Samoan | James Campbell, HI |
| Kobe | Pepe | DE | Samoan | St. John Bosco, CA |
| Logan | Pili | DE | Samoan | Timpview, UT |
| Ioholani | Raass | DE | Hawaiian, Samoan & Tongan | Skyridge, UT |
| Ikaika | Ragsdale | RB | Hawaiian | Bishop Gorman, NV |
| Bodie | Schoonover | LB | Tongan | American Fork, UT |
| Jamar | Sekona | DT | Samoan & Tongan | Marin Cathloic, CA |
| Noah | Sewell | LB | Samoan | Orem, UT |
| Micah | Soliai-Howlett | OL | Hawaiian, Samoan & Tongan | Kahuku, HI |
| Keanu | Tanuvasa | DE | Samoan | Mission Viejo, CA |
| Lawrance | Toafili | RB | Samoan | Pinellas Park, FL |
| Lincoln | Tuioti-Mariner | S | Samoan | Bishop Gorman, NV |
| Tuli | Tuipulotu | DE | Tongan | Lawndale, CA |
| Nofoafia | Tulafono | OG | Samoan | Oak Hills, CA |
| Sefita | Tupe | DT | Tongan | Mater Dei, CA |
| Isaiah | Tupou | OG | Tongan | Grant Union, CA |
| Andrew | Ueli-Faatoalia | OC | Samoan | Mater Dei, CA |
| DJ | Uiagalelei | QB | Samoan | St. John Bosco, CA |
| Paula | Vaipulu | OC | Tongan | Channelview, TX |
| Macen | Williams | CB | Hawaiian | Narbonne, CA |
About the Polynesian Bowl: The Polynesian Bowl is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week and is televised LIVE on CBS Sports Network. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Michael Bennett, Ronnie Stanley, Danny Shelton and DeForest Buckner serve as NFL Ambassadors. Major sponsors include BodyArmor, CrossCountry Mortgage, Friends of Hawai’i Charities, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council, Hawai’i News Now, Hawai’i Tourism Authority, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel and Riddell.About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center (O`ahu) and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. Other board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe. www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org.