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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kahuku alum Hau‘oli Kikaha of Washington received the defensive most valuable player award in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against BYU in San Francisco on Dec. 27.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saint Louis alum Marcus Mariota of Oregon accepted the trophy as the offensive most valuable player in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Texas on Dec. 30 in San Antonio
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Players from local high schools played a big part in many of the 35 bowl games played over the past month. Here is a look at the top performers:
>> Cyrus Coen, Pearl City ’11: The Washington State linebacker made seven tackles and recorded one quarterback hurry in a 48-45 loss to Colorado State in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 21.
>> Abe Markowitz, Punahou ’08: The Southern California sixth-year senior offensive lineman was named the team’s offensive "outperformer" of the game in a 45-20 win over Fresno State in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21. Markowitz started at center and helped hold the Fresno State defense to just one sack while the Trojans finished with 499 total yards.
>> Devon Kell, Hilo ’09: The Oregon State defensive lineman had four tackles and a sack in his final collegiate game, a 38-23 win over Boise State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24.
>> Jeremy Ioane, Punahou ’10: The Boise State safety had a team-high 10 tackles against the Beavers.
>> Brian Suite, Punahou ’10: The Utah State senior safety had a game-high 11 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in a 21-14 win over Northern Illinois in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 26.
>> Hau’oli Kikaha, Kahuku ’10: The Washington junior was named the defensive most valuable player in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Dec. 27, finishing with nine tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble in a 34-16 win over Brigham Young. Kikaha finished the season tied for third in the country with 13 sacks.
>> Uani Unga, Kahuku ’06: The BYU senior linebacker finished with seven tackles against the Huskies.
>> Kona Schwenke, Kahuku ’10: The Notre Dame senior assisted on two tackles, including a sack, in a 29-16 win over Rutgers in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28.
>> Wave Ryder, Kamehameha ’10: The Navy senior safety made five tackles and broke up a pass in a 24-6 win over Middle Tennessee in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 30.
>> Marcus Mariota, Saint Louis ’11: The Oregon quarterback was named offensive most valuable player of the Valero Alamo Bowl after finishing 18-for-26 for 253 yards and a touchdown passing while rushing for 133 yards in a 30-7 win over Texas on Dec. 30.
>> Wade Keliikipi, Waianae ’09: The Oregon defensive tackle made seven tackles, including one for loss, against the Longhorns in his final collegiate game.
>> DeForest Buckner, Punahou ’12: The Oregon sophomore was in on four tackles against Texas.
>> Keoni Bush-Loo, Kamehameha ’12: The Arizona linebacker recorded his first collegiate sack for a 12-yard loss in a 42-19 win over Boston College in the AdvoCare V100 Bowl on Dec. 31.
>> Kaimi Faibairn, Punahou ’12: The UCLA kicker converted all six extra-point tries in a 42-12 win over Virginia Tech in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
>> Peni Vea, Kealakehe ’11: The UNLV sophomore defensive back finished with a game-high 11 tackles in a 36-14 loss to North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Jan. 1.
>> Tau Lotulelei, Maui ’12: The UNLV redshirt freshman had six tackles, including one for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against North Texas.
>> Maika Mataele, Kamehameha ’09: The Rebels receiver had one reception for 8 yards in his final collegiate game against North Texas.
