Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Iose Epenesa Lead Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year Finalists
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced the finalists for the 2024 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year award. It’s a star-studded group of high school seniors featuring three players on offense and five on defense.
Leading the list of finalists is James Campbell (Hawaii) High School’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. The quarterback of Samoan ancestry broke the state’s all-time passing yards record before flipping his commitment from Cal to Oregon. Sagapolutele had 3,404 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in his final high school football season.
Meanwhile, Iose Epenesa of Edwardsville High School had 51 tackles (33 solo) and seven sacks this season. His tenacity on defense earned him a 95.64 On3 Industry Rating, the second-best mark among players from Illinois. Like his older brother, Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa, Iose will play for the Iowa Hawkeyes in college.
Other Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year finalists include JSerra Catholic linebacker Madden Faraimo. The Notre Dame commit, who has Samoan and Hawaiian ancestry, had 113 total tackles this season.
Offensive lineman Alai Kalaniuvalu was instrumental in Bishop Gorman High School’s 11-1 record and the Nevada Class AAAAA State Championship. He will join Sagapolutele at the University of Oregon.
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Also included is Punahou linebacker Ko’o Kia, who had 81 tackles during the 2024 Hawaii high school football season. He will join Faraimo at Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Utah signee Cyrus Polu collected 46 tackles and two interceptions for Desert Hills High School.
St. John Bosco defensive lineman Epi Sitanilei and Bishop Gorman offensive lineman Douglas Utu complete the finalists for the Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year. Sitanilei, an Ohio State commit, finished the season with 59 total tackles. Conversely, Utu will be a part of Oregon’s talented recruitment haul.
All finalists will participate in the 2025 Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 17, 2025. Meanwhile, the winner will be revealed the following day during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend. Past winners of this recognition include Puka Nacua, Talanoa Hufanga, and DJ Uiagalelei.