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Baldwin extended its winning streak to four games with a 43-6 victory over Kulanihakoi on Saturday at King Kekaulike High School, while the Manta Rays marked a milestone by scoring the first touchdown in a 11-man varsity football game in school history.
Rays junior Austin McLeod delivered the historic score late in the second quarter. Taking a handoff at the Kulanihakoi 27-yard line, McLeod broke through the middle, split the safeties and raced to the end zone.
The touchdown continued a season of firsts for Kulanihakoi, which began fielding an 11-man varsity team for the first time this year. Earlier this season, when the Manta Rays took the field against Kamehmeha Maui, the school celebrated its first varsity game and first marching band performance at a football game.
The Manta Rays returned to competition Saturday after forfeiting their game Aug. 28 against King Kekaulike and having the following week off. They opened the season with a 63-0 loss to Kamehameha Maui.
Baldwin, meanwhile, has not lost since its preseason game at Iolani.
The Bears' defense has allowed only two touchdowns over its past three games and has not surrendered more than two touchdowns in any game against a team from the Maui Interscholastic League this season.
The Bears moved the ball effectively again on Saturday and took a 7-0 lead when Malu Rivera scored on a 29-yard run with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter. A successful 2-point conversion increased the lead to 8-0.
After forcing a Kulanihakoi punt, Baldwin took possession at the Manta Rays' 30. Quarterback Devin Inokuma later connected with Yoshida for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Yoshida added the extra point to give the Bears a 15-0 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Baldwin's defense got in on the scoring when defensive back Kika Kuailani intercepted a Rays' pass and returned it 43 yards to the end zone. Yoshida's extra point put the Bears ahead 22-0 with more than seven minutes remaining in the first half.
Rivera added a short touchdown run and Yoshida converted the extra point to increase the lead to 29-0 with about four minutes left in the half.
McLeod then broke free for Kulanihakoi's first touchdown. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving Baldwin ahead 29-6.
The Bears answered before halftime. Rivera powered through at least three tackles on a 13-yard touchdown run, continuing to drive his legs after the initial contact. Yoshida's kick gave Baldwin a 36-6 lead with about 1:30 remaining in the second quarter.
Kulanihakoi's marching band performed during halftime.
Baldwin completed the scoring in the third quarter. Uzaiyah Kalalau-Ahloo-Kua intercepted a pass to give the Bears possession at the Kulanihakoi 46, and Inokuma finished the ensuing drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. Yoshida's extra point made it 43-6.
Kulanihakoi will face Maui High at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at King Kekaulike High School Stadium.
Baldwin 43, Kulanihakoi 6
Baldwin 15 21 7 0 -- 43
Kulanihakoi 0 6 0 0 -- 6