Representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records were not on hand to certify the event, but it’s likely a record was set on Oct. 7th, 2023 for the most Big Island football players to participate in a single college football game.
The venue was Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Washington, and the teams were the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran University and the Boxers of Pacific University.
Combined the teams feature 20 players who graduated from Big Island High Schools on their rosters. Eight high schools on the Big Island are represented including, Hilo, Honokaa, HPA, Kamehameha, Kealakehe, Kohala, Konawaena, and Waiakea.
With both schools placing a high priority on recruiting in the islands the programs combined have over 70 players from around Hawaii on their rosters, even one from Lanai’s eight-man program.
Pacific Lutheran University is located in the Parkland neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington and has an enrollment of 2300 undergraduate students. Their head coach is Brant McAdams.
The Big Island players donning the black and gold for the Lutes include Sr. LB Kalen Davis-White, Jr. DB Layne DePeralta, and Fr. DB Kayden Silva of Hilo, So. LB Braeden Samura of HPA, Fr. DB Jadin Chaves, Fr. DB Zeke Gragas, and Fr. DB Cross Pola of Kamehameha, So. DB Kekoa Meyers of Kealakehe, Sr. WR Marc Bassa, Sr. DB Jesse Canda, and So. WR Kamaehuokalani Makanui of Konawaena, and Fr. OL Shauntae Taifmai of Waiakea.
Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, Oregon and has an enrollment of 3500 undergraduate students. Their head coach is Ian Falconer.
The following Big Island players are on the Boxers roster — Fr. LB Uhane Mock Chew of Honokaa, Gr. WR Noah Carvalho, So. OL Tyce Kaden Pacheco, and Fr. WR Prince Reynolds of Kamehameha, Jr. DB Koari’i Atkinson-Sioloa of Kealakehe, Fr. LB Keale Valenzuela-Conte of Kohala, Fr. DB Ro’onui Satta-Ellis of Konawaena, and Sr. DB Isaac Sumera of Waiakea.
It’s no secret why Pacific Lutheran University and Pacific University have become home to so many Hawaii high school athletes as they both provide a great deal of support for Hawaii students and have Hawaiian Clubs on campus.
According to the Pacific Lutheran University website, “Na Hoaloha O Hawai’i, is a club that seeks to promote the Aloha Spirit and the diverse cultures of Hawai’i and its people through service projects, social events, and educational club meetings.
“Students who are a part of Na Haumana O Hawai‘i become part of a family, or “‘Ohana,” and are quickly woven into an intricate pattern that makes their college experience one to be remembered. From the very beginning, Na Haumana O Hawai‘i provides its members with networks of support and numerous opportunities to get involved at Pacific University.”
Pacific Lutheran University has an assistant coach whose title is Offensive Assistant/Hawaii Recruiting &Retention. Ricky Daley played college football at Boise State and UH and was an assistant coach at both Waianae and Roosevelt high schools on Oahu. Ricky is always on the lookout for Hawaii talent and has found the Big Island to be a great place to recruit future Lutes.
The game between the Lutes and the Boxers is a rivalry game and something that the teams look forward to every year. When considering that many of the Hawaii players are familiar with each other from high school, there is an extra edge to the game. This year’s contest was no exception, with the outcome in question until late in the fourth quarter with the Pacific Lutheran Lutes squeaking out a 17-10 victory on their home field.
Several Big Island players stood out during the contest. None more than Hilo’s Kalen Davis-White. Davis-White a middle linebacker, is the leader of the PLU defense and a team captain. He had a standout game with 15 tackles, 5 solo and 2 tackles for loss.
As a result of that performance, Kalen was named the North West Conference Defensive Player of the Week. In addition to Davis-White, PLU defensive backs Layne DePeralta, and Jesse Canda, were a big part of the defensive effort.
Braeden Samura showed up on special teams for PLU, and Marc Bassa had 2 receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown. The Boxers got defensive and special teams contributions from DBs Koari’i Atkinson-Sioloa, Isaac Sumera and Ro’onui Satta-Ellis.
With many players having friends and relatives in the Pacific Northwest, and a number of fans flying in from Hawaii, the aloha spirit was strong on both sides of the stadium.
When the game was complete many of the Hawaii players gathered on the field to visit with friends and family from both schools.
Just like at home, a lei is always an appropriate way to celebrate accomplishments, and this game was no exception with flowers, maile, candy and crack seed leis seen hanging from the necks of many contestants.
The opportunity to play college sports is the dream of many Hawaii high school athletes, but leaving the islands for the mainland as a freshman athlete can often be an overwhelming experience.
It is great to see schools recognize Hawaii’s unique culture and develop ways to celebrate it and help Hawaii students feel comfortable thousands of miles from home. The benefit to the schools is they get to work with some of the most respectful, humble, hard working, and dedicated athletes on campus. Hawaii athletes, No Ka Oi.
Thane Milhoan is the founder of the Big Island Sports Network. You can find BISN on Instagram @bigislandsports and on YouTube.