Samoa Bowl XII concluded this weekend after the annual event kicked off Christmas week with the arrival of guest competitors from Hawaii, California, and Utah. Volleyball competition was held Thursday and Friday, leading up to the main event – the Samoa Bowl Football Game now in its 12^th year.

Last year, Hawai’i claimed the Samoa Bowl title under the supervision of head coach Jim Higgins – this year, Hawai’i was under the leadership of head coach Amosa Amosa.

American Samoa was the challenger this year led by head coach Sua’ese Pooch Ta’ase, who took Am. Samoa to victory in a competitive 12 - 6 victory.

Am. Samoa 12 - Hawai’i 6

During the first half of the match, Frank Mauigoa of American Samoa wasn’t showing any signs of letting his air attack out as the weather was a threatening factor for a passing game, both for Hawai’i and the local All Stars in a bruising first half that had American Samoa leading 6 - 0 after a power house running attack.

Leading into halftime, American Samoa continued to dominate in the running game, gaining numerous yards in an option formation that occupied a full house backfield.

Hawai’i on the other hand, had a hard time against Am. Samoa’s defensive unit, as a majority of their offensive possession was played in their territory without any signs of an offensive spark in the passing or running game.

With the rain over in the second half, it brought more action to the field as both teams now had the chance to show off their air raids. Hawai’i opened with quick passes to the outside, but were immediately shut down by Am. Samoa’s defensive unit when they confirmed two interceptions in the second half to bury any thoughts of a passing game for quarterback Li’ili’i and the State of Hawai’i.

Frank Mauigoa for Am. Samoa continued with warm up his arm of a canon with short passing situations to Lyle Asiata Siu and Tuioti Danielson – Hawai’i’s defensive unit led by Mageo and Lavata’i were frustrated as they couldn’t adjust their zone coverage to the locals run and gun attack the scored them their second touchdown of the game when Mauigoa ran in his second quarterback keeper for both of American Samoa’s touchdown situations.

Late in the fourth quarter, and Hawai’i’s quarterback Li’ili’i bombed out a long pass to receiver, a pass that was tipped off by American Samoa’s Mathew Ma’ilo, and bounced onto the hands of Hawai’i wide receiver Faoa Kelly who tucked in the pass and fell into the end zone for Hawai’i’s first and only touchdown of the game.

American Samoa were threatened in the final five minutes of the game, when Hawai’i recovered the ball from Am. Samoa’s offense on a fumble and started making their way towards the local red zone. With a minute remaining in the game, Li’ili’i’s fourth and goal situation was an incomplete pass to his slot receiver, confirming the win for American Samoa after quarterback Mauigoa for American Samoa came back in to kneel the ball as time ran out in the game.

“Players of the Game”

Offensive Player:

Samoa News selected Am. Samoa’s quarterback – Frank Mauigoa from Tafuna High School as the Offensive Player of the Game in Samoa Bowl XII.

Defensive Player:

Samoa News selected Hawai’i Linebacker and Defensive End – Josiah Mageo from Cambell High School.