Baldwin beats Lahainaluna 27-20

By Fred Guzman

It was the type of game we’ve come to expect when Baldwin and Lahinaluna tangle on the gridiron. Their latest meeting, on Friday night before an estimated 5,000 fans at War Memorial Stadium, lived up to all expectations.

Baldwin survived a see-saw battle in a game between MIL unbeatens featuring four lead changes and a tie for a 27-20 victory. The win improved Division-I Baldwin’s records to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the MIL. The D-II Lunas are 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the league.

Playing starring roles for the Bears were sophomore quarterback Keelan Ewaliko, senior place-kicker Cee Jay Santos and a defensive unit that registered five sacks.

Ewaliko scrambled for 135 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown – a 13-yarder with 46 seconds left in the second period to give Baldwin a 17-14 halftime lead.

Santos broke his own MIL record with a 53-yard field goal just before halfime and converted a 45-yarder late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory for the Bears.

Baldwin’s Kamalei Benjamin-Maielua ran for two scores, offsetting the Lunas’ Jojo Hidalgo, who ran for 101 on just seven carries – including a 41-yard TD – before leaving the game with an ankle injury early in the third quarter.

On Saturday, Kamehameha-Maui stayed alive in the D-II race by routing D-I rival King Kekaulike 40-0.

In MIL football action this week, Baldwin plays host to Maui High on Friday and, in a key battle between D-II title hopefuls, Lahianaluna visits Kamehameha.

Both games will be aired by Maui’s ESPN 550 and on espn550.com.

STATE GRID ROUNDUP: Evan Moe threw for 221 yards and Kahuku’s defense picked off four passes – returning one for a TD – as the top-ranked Red Raiders romped to a 38-0 win over Roosevelt. … Second-ranked Saint Louis rallied from an early deficit for a 35-17 win over the No. 3 Punahou at Aloha Stadium.

No. 6 Iolani defeated Pac-Five 26-7. … Seventh-ranked Leilehua posted a 16-7 road win over Aiea. … Waianae beat Kapolei 29-10. … Kailua rolled up 551 yards in total offense en route to a 31-15 win over No. 4 Farrington. … Pearl City beat Kalani 39-7. … Moanalua defeated Kaiser 21-12. … Kamehameha-Hawaii edged HPA 20-17 in overtime.

Chester Sua rushed for 205 yards and scored the decisive TD in leading Kaimuki to a 14-13 win over Kalaheo. … Radford beat Campbell 20-13. … Waialua defeated Anuenue 38-26. … McKinley mauled Nanakuli 35-0.