Baldwin Beats MauiHigh 36-21 to Grab Control of First Round

Baldwin’s Kamaki Gouveia (24) tries to get around a pair of Maui high defenders Monday at War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

In the end, Maui High School did not have an answer for stopping Baldwin’s ground game and running back Kamaki Gouveia.

The Bears’ senior did work on Labor Day, rushing for two touchdowns and 158 yards on 21 carries as Baldwin grabbed control of the Maui Interscholastic League Division I first-round race with a 36-21 holiday win over Maui High.

An estimated crowd of 2,800 watch on Monday at War Memorial Stadium.

The Bears improved to 2-0, while the Sabers fell to 2-1. The Sabers could have clinched the D-I first-round title with a win.

Baldwin’s Kainalu Lacno goes up for this 27-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter against Maui High on Monday. Defending on the play is Maui High’s Tevita Takitaki Jr. (42). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Meanwhile, Lahainaluna shutout King Kekaulike 37-0 on Monday in a MIL Division II game played at King Kekaulike Stadium in Pukalani.

The Lunas (1-1) finished with 256 yards of offense, including 108 yards rushing from Etuati Storer, while limiting winless Na Alii (0-3) to 76 yards in total offense.

According to The Maui News, King Kekaulike was held without a first down until 2:53 remained in the first half, spoiling Na Alii’s homecoming celebration.

Lahainaluna won its 17th straight game against King Kekaulike, and is 20-0-1 with eight shutouts in their meetings since 2005.

Baldwin’s Kahoku Benavides (55) runs with the football after picking up a fumble in the first quarter Monday. Baldwin beat Maui High 36-21. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Both MIL football games were originally scheduled for the weekend and postponed ’till Monday due to Hurricane Lester, which threatened to hit Maui County but eventually faded north of the Valley Isle.

Baldwin finished with 231 yards rushing and can clinch the Division I first-round title with a win at Lahainaluna on Saturday.

The Sabers on the other hand will have to play again in five days against a rested Kamehameha Maui team Friday at War Memorial Stadium.