At 5 feet 9, Kamehameha senior defensive tackle Landon Aano will be the shortest lineman on either side of the line of scrimmage in tonight's second annual Hawai'i/Polynesia vs. Mainland Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. It follows the 19th annual Hawai'i Goodwill Senior Bowl set for 4 p.m.

Aano, who is listed at 285 pounds, may be undersized and unlikely to receive any Division I college offers, but he will hold his own against those who will get or have been offered scholarships.

"He's really fast for a guy his size," said 6-3, 300-pound Leilehua offensive lineman Jiniki Timoteo, who practiced against Aano in preparation for the game. "He has really good hands. He's pretty good. He gives you a good challenge."

Timoteo has an offer from Hawai'i.

Aano will be lining up with Kaimukí defensive tackle Viliami Fonokalafi (6-0), Farrington end V.J. Fehoko (6-0) and Kahuku ends Hauoli Jamora (6-0) and Kona Schwenke (6-3). All four have Division I offers; Fonokalafi has verbal commitment to UH and Schwenke to Brigham Young.

"It's an honor to play in this game," Aano said. "I know most of the guys here are Division I prospects."

Aano's technique in the trenches, combined with his speed and strength, allow him to overcome the height he gives away to blockers. He will spin and swim through blockers. Yet, he has the strength to bull rush bigger players.

His maximum bench press is 425 pounds. He has also done 30 repetitions of 225 pounds, which is best on the Warriors' team.

Aano wants to continue playing in college and hopes tonight's game gives him some exposure. The game will be broadcast on FOX West Prime on the Mainland, but will be blacked out locally.

Sometimes Aano thinks what could've been had he been at least three inches taller. Still, he appreciates what gifts he has, such as strength and passion for the game.

"I think about, 'Why can't I be six feet (tall)?' " Aano said. "But it's a matter of overcoming it and just playing with what you got because it's what God gave you."

The Hawai'i team includes 11 players from Mainland high schools. Most of the players arrived Wednesday. Lineman Ricky Heimuli of Brighton in Utah is ranked 89th in rivals.com's top 100 recruits.

There also are four players from the Neighbor Islands.

Kahuku's Reggie Torres will coach the Hawai'i squad.

"It's fun and a lot less stressful," Torres said. "You work with a lot of good athletes. These kids are doing really well, as far as representing their programs."

The players aren't the only ones learning from their new teammates. Torres, who is assisted by seven head coaches of other Hawai'i schools, said he has been picking up tips, too.

"We're sharing," he said. "It's good for all the coaches."

The Mainland team has at least 20 players verbally committed to Division I programs. Five players are ranked in rivals.com's top 100, including the No. 4 prospect in running back Lache Seastrunk.