LIHUE — The White team defeated the Black team, 21-14, in the fourth annual Life Champion Senior Bowl on Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
It was the second year the game was hosted on Kauai.
The White team sealed its win off a 65-yard reception by Tyrell Baldonado-Kaleiopu, of Kamehameha Schools-Maui, from Thomas “Boogie” Yam, of Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama, early in the third quarter for a two-touchdown lead.
The Black team cut into the deficit soon after with a long bomb of its own. Stephen Barber Jr. of Punahou connected to Mitchell Quinn of Saint Louis for a 69-yard connection to pay dirt.
Though the game started slow, things started to roll when the White team scored first off a fumble recovery returned 30 yards for a touchdown by Kaleo Borges-Apao of Hilo.
The Black team answered back early in the second quarter with a 33-yard passing score from Marcus Faufata-Pedrina of Damien Memorial to Ulrich Naki of Castle.
That score was set up by a trick play in which Quinn took a backwards pass and then threw deep to Waipahu receiver Isaac Yamashita for a 46-yard connection to get the Black team into opposing territory.
However, the White team would take back the lead right before halftime with a 26-yard passing touchdown from Konawaena quarterback Austin Ewing to Kealakehe receiver Anthony Trevino.
The White team’s defense pressured the opposing quarterbacks often, tallying eight sacks and four forced turnovers.
Kaiser’s Andrew Choi alone accounted for three sacks. Kahuku’s Fatu Atuaia led the White team’s defense with six tackles including one sack.
The black team got two turnovers of its own — one on a forced fumble by Kapolei linebacker Dylan Toilolo, and another off an interception by KS-Kapalama defensive back Jonah Apo.
Ninety-nine seniors from 34 schools around the state participated in this year’s Senior Bowl, hosted by the Hawaii Football Club in collaboration with Marcus Mariota’s Motiv8 Foundation. Several college coaches were in attendance.
Nine players represented the Kauai Interscholastic Federation:
w Kauai High School linebacker Noah Tangalin, receiver Noah Ruiz, running back Jaykob Nakaahiki-Young and defensive back Noah Hoopii.
w Kapaa defensive back Dustin Ramseyer-Burdett, offensive lineman Justin Paleka and receiver Kalena Harder.
w Waimea receiver Dylan Balaan and running back Avery Miguel.
Miguel totaled 29 yards rushing on five carries for the White team, including a couple of rushes for 17 and 15 yards. Nakaahiki-Young had four carries for nine yards and a reception for eight yards.
Ramseyer-Burdett had one tackle and a fumble recovery for the Black team.
Scoring summary
1st quarter
05:29 WHITE Kaleo Borges-Apao (Hilo) fumble recovery returned 30-yards, Andrew Choi (Kaiser) PAT good, 7-0 White
2nd quarter
10:41 BLACK Ulrich Naki (Castle) 33-yard reception from Marcus Faufata-Pedrina (Damien), Jacob Tobias (Saint Louis) PAT good, 7-7
01:02 WHITE Anthony Trevino (Kealakehe) 26-yard reception from Austin Ewing (Konawaena), Damien Santiago (Mililani) PAT good, 14-7 White
3rd quarter
09:26 WHITE Tyrell Baldonado-Kaleiopu (KS-Maui) 65-yard reception from Thomas Yam (KS-Kapalama), Zameer Khan (Pearl City) PAT good, 21-7 White
08:15 BLACK Mitchell Quinn (Saint Louis) 69-yard reception from Stephen Barber Jr. (Punahou), Jacob Tobias (Saint Louis) PAT good, 21-14 White
Stat leaders
White
Passing: Thomas Yam (KS-Kapalama), 7-14, 107 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
Rushing: Avery Miguel (Waimea), 5 carries, 29 yards
Receiving: Anthony Trevino (Kealakehe), four receptions, 75 yards, 1 touchdown
Defense: Fatu Atuaia (Kahuku), six tackles, 1 sack
Black
Passing: Marcus Faufata-Pedrina (Damien Memorial), 7-10, 83 yards, 1 touchdown
Rushing: Marcus Faufata-Pedrina (Damien Memorial), 6 carries, 51 yards
Receiving: Mitchell Quinn (Saint Louis), 6 receptions, 138 yards, 1 touchdown
Defense: Cody Uehara (Kalani), 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
