Nov 12, 2025
Baldwin quarterback Jorden Carbonell credits a big part of the Bears’ winning the Maui Interscholastic League Division I championship to the defense. The team will play Damien in the state playoffs this Saturday in Honolulu. Courtesy photo
On Saturday, the Baldwin football team will face the Damien Monarchs in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I state playoffs at Farrington High School on Oahu.
Baldwin is representing the Maui Interscholastic League in the playoffs after defeating runner-up Lahainaluna 14-7 on Oct. 25. Damien advanced to the state playoffs after winning the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I football championship for the third year in a row.
The game starts at 6:30 p.m.
On Aug. 9, Damien won 33-17 against Kamehameha Maui, which has been unstoppable this season on the Valley Isle and defeated Baldwin twice — 28-21 on Aug. 23 and 49-28 on Sept. 26.
In the game, the Bears will likely rely heavily on senior quarterback Jorden Carbonell, who has completed more than 50% of his passes for 12 touchdowns this season. Carbonell is also a threat carrying the ball, averaging 6.3 yards per carry with four touchdowns.
Carbornell, who served as the team’s kicker last season after a thumb injury sidelined him at quarterback, said he’s looking forward to being in the state playoffs and hopes to participate in sports in college.
“If there is an opportunity to play college football, that would be amazing,” he said.
Carbonell said he’s also looking at the possibility of playing soccer. He’s been a defensive midfielder and plans to compete on the soccer field again this coming season.
The Baldwin football team has also produced a balanced offense, with senior running back Max Kushi averaging 7.7 yards a carry with eight touchdowns this season.
Other Bears contributing to their winning season include senior receiver Hiilawe Han, who has averaged 12.5 yards a catch with nine touchdowns.
Baldwin has been growing as a team too. Early in the season, the Bears fell 34-28 against King Kekaulike on Sept. 5. However, when the teams faced each other again Oct. 11, Baldwin won 28-16.
“After losing to Kekaulike, we became more serious and focused,” Carbonell said.
On paper, Damien has a slightly higher scoring average than Baldwin per game, but Baldwin’s defense has held its opponents to lower scores.
Damien has a potent offense, averaging 31.4 points per game, though the defense has allowed an average of 28.4 points.
In comparison, Baldwin has averaged 28.2 points a game and held its opponents to an average of 19.2 points.
Baldwin coach Cody Nakamura said a lot of seniors are playing on the Bears team, giving the team a strong pool of experience, including leading tacklers Dylan Wellerstein and Ethan Bacos.
Carbonell agrees.
“They really are the leaders of our defense and part of the reason why we had some shutout games,” Carbonell said.
Despite the announced deal in the U.S. Senate to end the government shutdown, the number of canceled commercial …
Copyright © 2025 Maui News Publishing Company, LTD | https://www.mauinews.com | 100 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 | 808-242-6363
