BYU QB Signee Sol-Jay Maiava Named Polynesian Bowl Offensive MVP
Jan 19, 2020, 2:09 AM | Updated: 2:25 am
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: St. John's quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava (9) looks for an open receiver during action against Good Counsel during WCAC football action at Catholic University. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
HONOLULU, Hawaii – The quarterback room looks to get even stronger for BYU football in 2020 when Sol-Jay Maiava arrives on campus. Maiava, who signed with BYU during the early signing period this past December, concluded his high school football career with an MVP performance in the Polynesian Bowl. A game that features some of the best high school players in the country.
Maiava, a Hawaii native, who originally prepped at Kahuku High School on the North Shore earned Polynesian Bowl Offensive MVP honors for his dazzling play and he helped lead Team Mauka to a 20-13 win over Team Makai.
Sol-Jay Maiava races for TD to give Team Mauka 20-13 lead over Makai w/ 1:48 left in #PolyBowl2k20 🤙 @jay_4QB pic.twitter.com/gVpqp4OQQN
— Polynesian Bowl (@polynesiabowl) January 19, 2020
After two seasons at Kahuku, Maiava moved to Washington D.C. to play for St. John’s College High School so returning home to cap off his high school in front of family and friends was an emotional experience for the young signal-caller.
“No words can express coming back home finishing it off in this stadium [Aloha Stadium] where it all started, it means a lot,” Maiava said after receiving the Polynesian Bowl Offensive MVP trophy.
From the Nation’s Capital to a State of Aloha! 🤙🏽🌴 @jay_4QB #GoCougs @TotalBlueSports pic.twitter.com/TBXCo9jZYn
— Polynesian Bowl (@polynesiabowl) January 14, 2020
Maiava finished the game completing 80 percent of his passes and threw for 73 yards and a touchdown. The 31st ranked dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2020 according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Maiava showcased his feet as well in the MVP performance. Maiava had six rushes for 29 yards including the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarterback to seal the victory for Team Mauka.
Team Mauka was coached by former Florida and South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier incorporated a two-quarterback system with both Maiava and the nation’s No. 1 QB in the class of 2020 DJ Uiagalelei, who’s already enrolled to play for the Clemson Tigers.
Play of the Night from Sol-Jay
Within Maiava’s MVP night, his best play came late in the third quarter where he escaped defenders and connected with an open receiver for a first down. It was a Houdini type of play from Maiava and afterward, CBS Sports Network analyst and former BYU star Vai Sikahema said, “Kalani Sitake and his staff at BYU are salivating I’m sure watching Sol-Jay’s play tonight.”
#BYU QB signee Sol-Jay Maiava (@jay_4QB) was named the Offensive MVP of the @polynesiabowl.
Maiava made some great plays in his MVP performance, including this one. 👇#BYUFootball @kslsports https://t.co/v8LNGoUIaw pic.twitter.com/QBVZo2qG6J
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 19, 2020
Maiava will enroll at BYU this summer and he will join a quarterback room that already boasts talented players in Zach Wilson, Jaren Hall, and Baylor Romney.
Other BYU Recruits in the Polynesian Bowl
Along with Maiava, three other BYU recruits participated in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl. Linebacker Alex Muti and Timpview High safety Logan Pili were on Team Mauka with Maiava. On Team Makai was American Fork High School linebacker Bodie Schoonover. Schoonover is currently a BYU commit and has yet to sign his letter of intent with the Cougars.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
