Mata‘afa named Polynesian POY

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame named Washington State junior defensive lineman Hercules Mata‘afa, a 2014 Lahainaluna alumnus, the 2017 Polynesian college football player of the year on Tuesday. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player who epitomizes great ability and integrity.

Mata‘afa was named the Associated Press Pac-12 defensive player of the year and is the first consensus All-American at WSU since 2002.

The 6-foot-2, 252-pound Mata‘afa, who played both defensive tackle and defensive end for the Cougars, led the Pac-12 with 21 1/2 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks. He started all 12 games for the Cougars, recording 43 tackles with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

The formal presentation of the award will be held at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 19.