Makai tops Mauka in low scoring Polynesian Bowl

Brian Bautista | SL

Makai tacked on a late field goal followed by an interception return for touchdown in an 11 second span to take down Mauka, 17-3, in the 2022 edition of the Polynesian Bowl, held at Kamehameha's Kunuiakea Stadium.

Jayden Fielding put the first points of the contest on the board at the 2:34 mark of the second, pushing Mauka into the lead, 3-0.

Makai responded with an 11 play drive that covered 75 yards but took just 2:23 off the game clock, with Noah Fifita plunging in from three yards out for a touchdown to push Makai ahead with just 11 seconds until halftime.

After a scoreless quarter and a half, Makai added some cushion to its lead as Ethan Sanchez kicked a field goal from 26 yards out to cap a nine play, 56 yard drive at the 7:56 mark of the fourth quarter, pushing the margin to 10-3.

Then on the ensuing Mauka drive, a Tayen Jackson pass attempt was picked off by Jaishawn Barham at the Mauka 29 yard line and taken back the distance for a touchdown, spotting Makai seven more points and extending to a two-score margin.

Barham had a game-high five tackles, two of them for loss, to go along with his pick-six to lead the way for Makai. Roosevelt's Kaeo Akana was a standout defensively for Mauka in the loss, registering two sacks and a quarterback hurry.