Despite holding its opponent to under 90 rushing yards, the Baldwin football team was unable to stop a passing attack as the Bears lost to Damien 28-14 in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association’s state tournament Saturday at Farrington High School.

With the win, Damien advanced to a semifinal match against Kapaa.

Damien quarterback Alani Tuifua, the leading passer in Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I, threw for 265 yards and a touchdown and rushed for three touchdowns in the game.

Baldwin advanced to the state tournament after clinching the Maui Interscholastic League Division I championship for the first time since 2019.

The game was closer than it might seem on paper, with the momentum appearing to shift in Baldwin’s favor when senior quarterback Jorden Carbonell scored in the fourth quarter. However, the Baldwin touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty.

Carbonell, who was the leading passer in MIL Division I this season, threw for 125 yards and rushed for the same against Damien. He threw for a touchdown in the second quarter to sophomore wide receiver Ryan Coppa. Carbonnel scored again in the fourth quarter on a 28-yard run.

Baldwin’s running game gathered a higher average per carry with 4.8 yards a run compared to Damien’s average of 3.6 yards.

Kika Kuailani led in tackles with five, followed by seniors Leroy Kahalewai and Ethan Bacos, each with four tackles, and three for senior Judah Pua, sophomore Jackson Sebastian and sophomore Jai Carbonnel.

In MIL Division I play this season, the leading rushers were Baldwin’s Max Kushi with 688 yards and eight touchdowns, followed by Jordan Carbonell with 548 yards and five touchdowns, Lahainaluna High’s Kyle Thomas recorded 528 yards and eight touchdowns, and Ezekiel Opunui with 340 yards and three touchdowns, and Maui High’s Micah Barut with 279 yards and two touchdowns.

The leading receivers for MIL Division I football were Baldwin’s Hiilawe Han with 532 yards and 10 touchdowns and Cooper Watkins with 316 yards and three touchdowns. Maui High’s Jonah Cariaga had 269 yards with three touchdowns, while Baldwin’s Ryan Coppa had 217 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and Maui High’s Daravon White with 200 yards and one touchdown.