Football
JPS brings senior game back to Oahu


Spencer Honda | ScoringLive
November 26, 2017, 10:05am

 



MILILANI — A week after three Hawaii high school football state champions were crowned to end the 2017 season, more than 150 senior student-athletes flocked to central Oahu for the inaugural Jr Prep Sports Senior Classic at Mililani High School.

Playing under modified rules with nine-minute quarters, the doubleheader featured a "Division II" game between teams Liberty Select and Freedom Select followed by a "Division I" showdown between Liberty Open and Freedom Open.

Liberty Select — coached by Pearl City coach Robin Kami — came out victorious in the first game, 26-23, while Freedom Open — coached by Castle coach John Hao — won the nightcap, 25-7.

       » JPS Senior Classic Rosters

For many players, the game was the close to their football careers with one final time to strap up in front of friends and family. For others, it was a last chance opportunity to garner more game film to send to college coaches in hopes of landing an offer.

But at its root, the game was a reward for the on-field performance of many outstanding players with a chance to have fun one more time playing — and swapping helmet decals — with their fellow seniors.

"I got about 16 new brothers added to my family and I just wanted to play my heart out for them," quarterback Braden Amorozo said, who along with nine Waipahu teammates were on Freedom Select, also being coached by Marauders coach Bryson Carvalho.

Freedom Select got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter with a scoring strike from Amorozo to Isaac Yamashita — something the two had done seven times in their varsity careers.

He also connected with another blue and gold teammate late in the game, hitting Alika Ahsing for a 2-point PAT conversion.

Amorozo said he has drawn interest from several NAIA and NCAA Division III schools such as the University of Puget Sound, George Fox University and University of Redlands among others.

Liberty Open/Waianae linebacker Kanai Mauga (right) tracks down Freedom Open/Damien quarterback Marcus Faufata-Pedrina (left). CJ Caraang | SL Liberty Open/Waianae linebacker Kanai Mauga (right) tracks down Freedom Open/Damien quarterback Marcus Faufata-Pedrina (left). CJ Caraang | SL CJ Caraang | SL

Freedom Open/Mililani's Jalen Tuivaiave-Olomua is awarded the Open game's most outstanding senior trophy from JPS Hawaii president/CEO Robert Faleafine. CJ Caraang | SL Freedom Open/Mililani's Jalen Tuivaiave-Olomua is awarded the Open game's most outstanding senior trophy from JPS Hawaii president/CEO Robert Faleafine. CJ Caraang | SL CJ Caraang | SL


Reach Spencer Honda at [email protected].




Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.


IMAGE GALLERY


MORE STORIES

Track and field proposals among those being considered at HIADA conference

Athletics administrators from across the state are gathered at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, where the...

HHSAA inducts 44th class into Hall of Honor

Twelve student-athletes from 10 different schools and representing three of the state's leagues were...

Iolani's Nakanelua garners All-Hawaii Player of the Year honors

Senior setter Bailey Nakanelua was the engine that helped drive the Raiders back to the top of state...

Pearl City's Ngirmidol headlines All-OIA Division II picks

Chargers' setter Marley Ngirmidol named Player of the Year in OIA Division II; Pearl City head coach...

Moanalua sweeps All-OIA East Boys Volleyball top honors

Na Menehune outside hitter Lionel Gannon named Player of the Year and head coach Alan Cabanting named...

Mililani's Kimura named All-OIA West Player of the Year

Senior OH Seth Kimura was joined by teammate Kaito Duranceau on the first team; Trojans' head coach Gabriel...