MIL Football: Akaka Brothers Lead Bears Over Warriors, 35-14
Baldwin High School’s Taje Akaka hauls in one of his three touchdown passes from brother Chayce Akaka Saturday against Kamehameha Maui at War Memorial Stadium. The Bears beat the Warriors, 35-14. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
By Rodney S. Yap
Baldwin High School quarterback Chayce Akaka dialed in his brother Taje Akaka three times Saturday against Kamehameha Maui en route to a 35-14 victory before an estimated crowd of 1,900 at War Memorial Stadium.
Sophomore Chayce Akaka threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns, including three to senior Taje Akaka for 60 yards as the Bears improved to 2-0 in the Maui Interscholastic League.
The win sets up Friday’s battle between Baldwin and unbeaten Maui High (2-0) for the MIL’s Division I first-round championship. The game will be played at War Memorial Stadium, starting at 7 p.m., and will be heard live on ESPN AM 900.
The Akaka brothers combined on scoring pass-catches of 19, 12 and 15 yards. The first two came in the first half and were sandwiched around a pair of Kelii Kaiama field goals of 33 and 28 yards, respectively.
Baldwin rolled up 449 total yards of offense, despite being whistled for 17 penalties for 146 yards.
Kamehameha Maui fell to 2-1 on the season. The Warriors have already clinched the MIL Division II first-round championship.
Trailing 21-0, Kamehameha Maui got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter when Warrior quarterback Kainoa Sanchez connected with Maikaike English on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The score capped a seven-play 47-yard scoring drive for the Warriors.
The Warriors were held to 19 yards in the first half and 215 yards total.
Saturday’s Scoring Summary
KS Maui 0 0 7 7-14
Baldwin 12 6 10 7-35
First Quarter
BH—FG Kelii Kaiama 33, 7:42.
BH—Safety, Baldwin illegal touch on punt in end zone, 2:16.
BH—Taje Akaka 19 pass from Chayce Akaka (Kaiama kick), 0:29.
Second Quarter
BH—Taje Akaka 12 pass from Chayce Akaka (run failed), 6:20.
Third Quarter
BH—FG Kaiama 28, 9:12.
KM—Maikaike English 15 pass from Kainoa Sanchez (Kealaula Keliikoa kick), 7:01.
BH—Taje Akaka 15 pass from Chayce Akaka (Kaiama kick), 4:25.
Fourth Quarter
BH—Chazzaniel Sau 27 pass from Chayce Akaka (Kaiama kick), 11:00.
KM—Keliikoa 71 pass from Kulana Wilhelm (Keliikoa kick), 1:06.
Friday, Sept. 11
Maui High vs. Baldwin at War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12
King Kekaulike at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.
Baldwin’s La’akea Kahoohanohano-Davis looks to return this interception for touchdown late in the fourth quarter Saturday against Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Joshua Yoruw (6) wrestles down Kamehameha Maui receiver Maika’ike English (13) during second-half action Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s defense was stout Saturday against Kamehameha Maui. Linebackers Damien Awai (25) and Kaohu Pua’a (43) wrap up a Warrior runner on this play. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chazz Sa’u (10) is congratulated by teammates after catching a tipped pass for touchdown against Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chazz Sa’u vaults into the end zone Saturday after catching a tipped pass. Teammate Kaelon Wainui (3) looks on. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s brother combination of Chayce Akaka (12) to Taje Akaka (2) hooked up for three touchdowns Saturday against Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin head coach Pohai Lee (left) and receivers’ coach Colten Quinabo watched the Bears’ offense score via the pass four times Saturday against Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Taje Akaka secures the ball before turning and running into the end zone Saturday, for his third touchdown catch against Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin quarterback Chayce Akaka (12) looks to throw this ball into the end zone Saturday against Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin quarterback Chayce Akaka (12) runs the ball against Kamehameha Maui Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin running back Kamaki Gouveia (24) fights for extra yardage Saturday against Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Maika’ike English (13) grabs this touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone Saturday against Baldwin. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Nathan Facuri (80) hauls in this long pass from quarterback Kainoa Sanchez in the second half Saturday against Baldwin. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Kai Segundo (9) tries to break free from a Baldwin would-be tackler. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chazz Sa’u (10) looks to get into the end zone as Kamehameha Maui linebacker Michael Kahula (8) looks to make a stop on Sa’u. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chazz Sa’u (10) puts his head down as he battles for extra yardage against Kamehameha Maui’s defense. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Kamuela Kaniaupio (2) breaks up this would-be touchdown catch intended for Baldwin’s Kaylon Santos-Kekona Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Kai Segundo finds some open running room against Baldwin Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Covy Cremer (22) tries to get around the Baldwin defense Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui quarterback Kainoa Sanchez throws a flat pass in the first half Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chazz Sa’u (10) tries to split a pair of Kamehameha Maui defenders near the goal line. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chazz Sa’u (10) tries to run through a Kamehameha Maui defender. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chayce Akaka releases the first of three touchdown passes to older brother Taje Akaka. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Chazz Sa’u (10) tries to cut inside on Kamehameha Maui’s Tyerell Baldonado-Kaleiopu (11) . Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Kamuela Kaniaupio (2) and Tyerell Baldonado-Kaleiopu (11) stop Baldwin’s Kamaki Gouveia (24). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Baldwin’s Aloalii Laga sacks Kamehameha Maui quarterback Kainoa Sanchez in first-half action Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Kamehameha Maui’s Ekolu Watanabe (3) looks for running room in the first quarter. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
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