Edison Exploits Baldwin Defense With Deep Ball

Baldwin’s Laakea Kahoohanohano-David intercepts this pass intended for Edison’s Garrett White in the end zone Saturday at War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

The Baldwin High School football team had no answer for the deep ball and suffered the consequences Saturday in its 2014 debut.

The Bears’ secondary gave up four first-half touchdowns — of 49, 42, 37 and 40 yards, respectively — to Edison before eventually succumbing to the Southern California powerhouse, 49-10, before a War Memorial Stadium crowd of about 850.

The non-league game served as season openers for both teams.

Baldwin opens its Maui Interscholastic League schedule on Friday, Aug. 29, against Maui High at War Memorial Stadium. Kick off is at 7 p.m., following junior varsity action at 4:30 p.m.

Edison’s Jake Favreau hauls in this first-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Gane Saturday against Baldwin at War Memorial Stadium. Edison won 49-10. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Edison starting quarterback Matthew Gane threw three touchdown passes in the first quarter, the first two to wide receiver Jake Favreau and the third to Jacob Price — all on streak routes down the right sidelines.

Gane added to the Chargers’ 21-0 first-quarter lead with a 3-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. Gane eventually gave way to his backup, Grant Lowary, who added a 40-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Beynon with 4 minutes, 18 seconds left in the first half, 35-3.

Edison quarterback Matthew Gane is wrapped up by Baldwin’s Kainoa Haupu (52) and Kalauga Alii Laloulu (45) during first-half action Saturday at War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Edison rolled up 437 yards in total offense. Gane threw for 185 yards on 7-for-11 passing and added 51 yards rushing on eight carries.

Baldwin quarterback Tage Akaka-Foster scored the host team’s only touchdown on a 1-yard run with 1:48 to play in the game. Kelii Kaiama’s 38-yard field goal accounted for the Bears’ points in the first half.

CHARGERS 49, BEARS 10

Edison ….. 21 ….. 14 ….. 7 ….. 7—49

Baldwin ….. 0 ……. 3 ….. 0 ….. 7—10

First Quarter

ED—Jake Favreau 49 pass from Matthew Gane (Bobby Jenkins kick), 8:59.

ED—Favreau 42 pass from Gane (Jenkins kick), 4:32.

ED—Jacob Price 37 pass from Gane (Jenkins kick), 2:30.

Second Quarter

ED—Gane 3 run (Jenkins kick), 6:07.

ED—A.J. Beynon 40 pass from Grant Lowary (Jenkins kick), 4:18.

BH—Kelii Kaiama 38 FG, 0:16.

Third Quarter

ED—Favreau 13 pass from Lowary (Jenkins kick), 5:12

Fourth Quarter

ED—Braydon Wilson 3 pass from Bowen Blake (Taylor Kane kick), 8:52.

BH—Taje Akaka-Foster 1 run (Kaiama kick), 1:48.

* Individual statistics complied by Rob Collias of The Maui News.

Baldwin High running back Keanan Luis tries to breakaway from Edison tackler Shane Fullbright (50) Saturday at War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.