[ HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ]
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Farrington's Taeao Fagalele blocked a punt by Baldwin's Cody Nakamura yesterday at Aloha Stadium.
Baldwin wins
defensive battle
The Baldwin Bears' defense made sure the team's trip to Oahu was a successful one by powering the defending Maui Interscholastic League champions to a 3-0 victory over the Farrington Governors yesterday at Aloha Stadium.
Baldwin senior J.J. Eno nailed a 38-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the game to put the Bears over the Governors in the Father Bray Classic.
"We played hard, we were in a tough, tight game and this is a good way to start off the season," Baldwin coach Chad Kauhaahaa said. "We expect a hard MIL season, so this was a good test for us."
The defenses controlled the game as both offenses struggled, combining for five fumbles and six interceptions.
The Baldwin defense limited Farrington to 121 total yards, recorded three sacks and held all-state running back Matt Bell to 62 yards on 16 carries.
"I was very pleased with our defense," Kauhaahaa said. "Our question mark was our defense and our defense really showed up."
Baldwin running back Waylen Costa powered the Bears offense, rushing for 99 yards on 22 carries.
The Bears, who arrived in Honolulu at 2:15 p.m. yesterday, were without three starters due to injuries and sophomore quarterback Kalehua Moniz struggled in his first varsity start. He completed six passes for 58 yards and threw four interceptions.
"He's got to gain more confidence," Kauhaahaa said. "He's athletic enough, he's talented enough to get this going, but I think he was a little gun-shy."
Farrington entered the game shorthanded as more than 20 players sat out due to academic probation. But the 27 Governor players who suited up, many of whom played nearly the entire game, gave second-year coach Randall Okimoto a spirited effort.
Alvin Faumui started at quarterback and free safety and came up with two interceptions on defense. Receiver/defensive back Jerome Crisostomo also picked off two passes.
"I'm pretty proud of our kids' effort and the way they came out tonight," Okimoto said. "Now I know guys can play the whole game, now I know they have the feel to do it. It opens up more options."
With both offenses struggling to sustain drives, the Baldwin defense set up the Bears' game-winning score.
After Farrington got the ball at its own 17, the Bears dropped Governor ball carriers for losses on the next three plays, pushing Farrington back to its own 3.
Following a punt by Bell, Baldwin took over at the Governors' 33. The Bears moved the ball to the Farrington 15, but Moniz was dropped for a 6-yard loss on third down. Eno, who had a kick blocked in the first quarter, then drilled the 38-yard kick with room to spare.
"We knew they were stacking our left side, so the (coaches) just said to make sure the left side is protected," Eno said. "I had a good line, the snap was perfect, the hold was perfect and I just did my part."
Pac-Five 21, Kaimuki 7: Wolfpack fullback Gyles Lawrence rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns as Pac-Five (1-0) gave Joe Onosai a victory in his debut as head coach.
Kaimuki (0-1) took the lead on a 1-yard run by Semi Qoro in the first quarter. But Pac-Five scored three unanswered touchdowns, all on runs of 3 yards or less by Lawrence.
Kaimuki quarterback Shaye Asoau ran for 82 yards and completed eight of 12 passes for 135 yards. But the Bulldogs also lost four lost fumbles.
