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Baldwin defeated Lahainaluna 13-3 in a Maui Interscholastic League Division 1 football game Friday night at Sue D. Cooley Stadium, securing the Bears' second MIL championship in back-to-back years.
With the win, Baldwin remained undefeated in MIL play this season and improved its overall record to 7-1, including the Bears’ preseason loss to Iolani.
Baldwin got off to a fast start Friday night and put the ball in the end zone on the team's opening possession when junior quarterback Devin Inokuma connected with senior wide receiver Grayson Reuss on a 45-yard bomb.
After beating the defense on a deep route, Reuss caught Inokuma’s pass over his shoulder in stride on his way to the end zone at 10:23 in the first quarter. The extra-point attempt went outside the uprights, and Baldwin led 6-0.
On the Lunas' next drive, the Bears defense came up with a big stop inside the red zone on third down. The Lunas had driven the ball down to inside the Baldwin 10-yard line, but facing fourth down, opted for a 28-yard field goal from junior Chance Schommer, who made the kick to cut Baldwin's lead to 6-3 at 6:04 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, safety Kyle Thomas brought Lunas fans to their feet when he picked off a long pass from Inokuma in the end zone and returned it to the Lunas' 22-yard line.
The score remained 6-3 going into the halftime break featuring Lahainaluna's homecoming court.
In the third quarter, the Lunas were threatening to score, but Baldwin forced a fumble and recovered the ball on its own 10-yard line.
On its ensuing drive, Baldwin's offense struggled to move the ball and was forced to punt.
Getting the ball at their own 48-yard line, the Lunas had good field position, but Baldwin defensive back Jai Carbonell picked off a Lunas' pass and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown at 3:39 in the third quarter.
A Baldwin penalty pushed the extra-point attempt back, and sophomore Zyler Yoshida put the 35-yard PAT through the uprights to give the Bears a 13-3 advantage.
In the fourth quarter, Baldwin defensive back Nakoa Tsurusato delivered a big hit that forced another Lunas' fumble, and the Bears recovered the ball early in the quarter. Both defenses held firm and prevented any further scoring in the game.
After the win, Baldwin football posted this on the team's Instagram page: "From building this program back up to holding the trophy two years running -- hard work pays off. Mahalo to our coaches, families, and community for believing in these boys every step of the way! Proud of this team, the grit, and the brotherhood that brought the hardware back home. We aren't done yet!"
Up next, Baldwin will play Maui High on Oct. 23. Lahainaluna is off this week and will face Maui High on Oct. 30.
With their win over Lahainaluna Friday night, the Baldwin Bears punched their ticket to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association’s state tournament Nov. 14-28 for the second straight year.