On a dot of green in the middle of the North Pacific, 13-year-old Nehemiah Gavino-Veneri trains across the blooming fields of O’ahu, hoping one day for a shot on the mainland. Since his son first threw a football at 3 years old,

Maiava naturally rooted for two fellow Hawaii-born passers, and he dreamed of following them to the biggest stages in college football. He'll take the next step on that journey Saturday. Maiava will become the first Polynesian quarterback to start for Southern California when the Trojans (4-5,