For Makoa Batongbacal, football isn’t just a game—it’s been a lifelong companion, a teacher, and ultimately, a bridge to his future. A 2023 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School, Makoa’s journey from the desert fields of southern Nevada to the vibrant campus of St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, is a story of transformation and self-discovery—both as an athlete and as a student of biomedical sciences.
“I’ve been playing football since I was five years old,” Makoa said. “It’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember.” Like many kids in Pahrump, he started with the Junior Trojans youth program, but when it came time for middle school, his father helped create a team called the Pahrump Valley Warriors through NYS. “That gave us a chance to play at a different caliber.”
In high school, Makoa played football all four years, along with basketball in the winter and track during the spring through his junior year. By his own admission, he was a quarterback by default—because his dad wanted him to be. “I never really loved playing quarterback,” he admitted. “I stuck with it because I thought I had to.” That changed during his sophomore season at PVHS. “I was having a tough game, got benched, and was ready to quit. I told my coaches I didn’t think I wanted to play football anymore.”
But then came a turning point, courtesy of PVHS assistant coach Mike Colucci. “Coach Colucci pulled me aside and suggested I try switching to defense. I gave it a shot, and during the first few practices, I made some solid plays. That’s when everything changed. I started enjoying the game again.” The move to cornerback not only reignited Makoa’s love for the sport, it unlocked a level of potential that soon caught the attention of college recruiters.
Determined to keep playing beyond high school, Makoa and his father began navigating the recruiting process—which is no easy task. “We started putting my highlight reel on Twitter and used some recruiting apps,” he said. “Eventually, a coach from St. Norbert reached out, and honestly, it felt surreal. I didn’t think they were serious at first.”
Originally, Makoa planned to play at Ripon College—one of St. Norbert’s rivals—at the suggestion of teammate, Scott Oscarson. But after touring St. Norbert, the decision became clear. “When I visited St. Norbert, I fell in love with it. The campus was beautiful, and the coaches were so genuine. The first thing the head coach did when I met him was give me a hug. That meant a lot. Being so far from home, I needed to feel like I had family there.”
Makoa began his freshman season as a cornerback, but as practices progressed, the coaching staff saw his potential as a safety. He was moved into the role and began learning the position from scratch—absorbing new techniques, mastering complex reads, and building his football IQ with the help of older teammates. “One of the guys I trained with was from Hawaii. We’d meet on off days to work on footwork and make reads. It really opened my eyes to how much I didn’t know.”
The shift from a three-sport high school athlete to a one-sport collegiate athlete came with unexpected challenges. “I thought focusing on one sport would be easier, but college football is a year-round commitment,” Makoa explained. “In the summer, we start with a two-week camp, scrimmaging other schools. During the school year, we lift and condition through fall, winter, and spring, with meetings every week. There’s very little free time, especially during the season.”
Balancing that level of athletic commitment with his major—biomedical sciences—has required a major shift in discipline. Makoa is on track to become an anesthesiologist, a career that demands academic excellence and clinical experience. “It was rough at first. In high school, I never had to study much, but that didn’t fly in college. I failed my first major test and it was a huge wake-up call. I had to completely rethink how I used my time.”
With the help of academic advisors, Makoa created a daily routine. “Now I set aside two hours every night just to study. I structure my day—football in the morning and early afternoon, a bit of downtime, then academics. It’s about being intentional with every hour.” The effort has paid off. He’s now entering his junior year more confident, focused, and determined than ever to succeed in both arenas.
One of the biggest obstacles Makoa faced was homesickness. “It was really hard at first. My freshman roommate ended up leaving mid-semester, and I was alone for a while. I remember telling my parents, ‘I’m not sure I can keep doing this.’” Unlike many teammates whose families live close enough to attend games, Makoa didn’t have that comfort. “Back home, my family was at every game, every performance. Not seeing them in the stands was a big change. But over time, I adapted. I found community, I made friends, and I learned how to stand on my own.”
One of those friends was his roommate this past year, Deacon Carroll, a 6’4”, 350-pound lineman from Wisconsin. “At first I didn’t think we’d talk, he was so cool, but he ended up becoming one of my best friends. He introduced me to his family, took me hunting and snowmobiling—stuff I never imagined doing. It was incredible. That’s what happens when you put yourself out there.”
Among the highlights of his college career so far? “Getting to practice in the Don Hutson Center—where the Green Bay Packers train—with LJ [Johnny Reddick] was unforgettable,” he said. “It made all the hard work feel worth it.”
As for the future, Makoa knows his time on the field may be limited. “I’m at the point where my schedule is getting packed with pre-med requirements. I have four tough courses this semester, and I’m preparing for the MCAT. I’m also starting clinical hours and shadowing this summer. As much as I love football, I’m getting ready to transition out and focus on what’s next.”
Still, he’s not done yet. After two years of grinding, he’s positioned himself for increased playing time. “I had a strong spring camp, and I’m hoping this will be the season I see the field more. Like my dad always said, be patient. Your time will come.”
Looking back, Makoa is grateful for the people who helped him along the way. “Coach Colucci gave me a second chance at football when I was ready to walk away. My dad, Cameron Batongbacal, and my mom, Tammy Kapahulehua, have always believed in me. My girlfriend, Maile Dix, has supported me through everything. Coach Ken Golomski at Norbert took the time to connect with me and my family before I even arrived. I’m grateful to them all.”
To student-athletes hoping to compete at the next level, Makoa offers two pieces of advice: “First, put yourself out there. You have to market yourself—coaches aren’t going to just find you, especially at D3. Second, enjoy high school football while you can. Those four years go by fast. Play for the love of the game and the people you’re with.”
Though he plans to leave the game behind in the next couple of years, Makoa knows football will always be a part of who he is. “Someday, I want to pass that love on to my own kids,” he said. “Maybe I won’t coach a whole team like my dad did, but I want my family to experience what football gave me—purpose, confidence, and the belief that with work and support, you can do something great.”
And if there’s one final lesson he’s learned along the way? “Homesickness fades. The doubts get quieter. And the silence, the struggle—it teaches you who you really are.”
