Baldwin quarterback Jorden Carbonell (2) throws a touchdown pass to Ryan Coppa (not shown) against Lahainaluna on Saturday. The Maui News/Eli Pace

The Baldwin football team defeated Lahainaluna 14-7 Saturday at Lahainaluna High School to become the 2025 Maui Interscholastic League champion.

In the final regular season game, the defenses of both teams kept scores low.

Baldwin got on the scoreboard first with a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jorden Carbonell to senior wide receiver Hiilawe Han in the first quarter.

Lahinaluna threatened to even up the score at the beginning of the second quarter, but a penalty lead to a Lunas’ touchdown being called back.

In the third quarter, Lahaina evened up the game with a long run from junior Kyle Thomas.

However, Bears took the lead back in the fourth quarter with another TD pass by Carbonnel, this time to sophomore wide receiver Ryan Coppa in the end zone.

Lahainaluna threatened the Bears’ seven-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Baldwin defense held strong and stopped the Lunas on fourth down in the red zone to seal the Maui Interscholastic League championship and gain a berth in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association’s state playoffs.

The victory was the first time since 2019 that Baldwin has won the league championship. The Bears fell last year in a close playoff game against Lahainaluna.

Baldwin defensive back Jude Smith (12) makes a big tackle on fourth down for Lahainaluna late in the fourth quarter of a Maui Interscholastic League Division 1 football game. The Maui News/Eli Pace

Baldwin football coach Cody Nakamura, who has been the head coach for four years, said he felt good about the win.

“It’s been a lot of hard work over the last four years,” Nakamura said. “I’m glad we got to bring this back to Baldwin High School.”

The Baldwin Bears will represent Maui in state Division I football playoffs on either Nov. 14 or 15.

During the 2025 season, Carbonell has been the leading scorer for the team, passing for 833 yards and 10 touchdowns while running for 317 yards and four touchdowns, according to ScoringLive.com.

The Bears’ leading running back has been senior Max Kushi, running for 662 yards and eight touchdowns with an average of 7.7 yards a carry.

Han has been the leading receiver with 400 yards and eight touchdowns and an average of 12.5 yards a catch.

Three other receivers showing potential to advance the ball include senior Cooper Watkins, with two touchdowns, and senior Caleb Koko with a touchdown.

Nakamura said a big reason for the Bears’ success has been the effort of linebackers with leading senior tacklers Dylan Wellerstein and Ethan Bacos.

The Baldwin football team celebrates in the end zone after senior wideout Hiilawe Han (5) caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Jorden Carbonell in the first quarter of a Maui Interscholastic League Division 1 football game on Saturday at Lahainaluna High School. Baldwin won 14-7. The Maui News/Eli Pace