Baldwin quarterback Keelan Ewaliko carries the ball against Lahainaluna. ScoringLive file photo

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Mililani quarterback Jarin Morikawa makes a pass attempt against Kahuku. ScoringLive file photo

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Baldwin has seen its share of prolific passers in First Hawaiian Bank Division I state football tournament for the past seven years. From Punahou's Brett Kan to Leilehua's Andrew Manley and Kenan Sadanaga.

This year won't be any different when the Bears (7-2) host Mililani (9-2) in a quarterfinal Friday night at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku. The game will be aired on OC 16 (channel 12). The winner advances to the semifinals next Friday against Punahou at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.

The Trojans, third in the ScoringLive/OC 16 Power Rankings, boast the state's leading passer in Jarin Morikawa, who has completed 257 of 438 passes for 3,098 yards and 33 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior is not as tall or bulkier as Manley but taller than Sadanaga. Morikawa is more mobile than the Leilehua QBs, but not as elusive and fast as the Bears' own Keelan Ewalko.

"They're quarterback, he's good," Baldwin coach A.J. Roloos said. "We have to slow down their passing game.

"We're going to try to put pressure on him and defend the receivers."

Five times Morikawa has passed for more than 300 yards, including for a season-high 405 against Waipahu.Twice he has complete more than 70 percent of his passes. He passed for a season-high five TDs against Farrington in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red semifinals.

Three of his receivers are among the top seven in Division I. Ekolu Ramos (41 receptions for 628 yards, 8 TDs), Erren Jean-Pierre (38 for 572, 6 TDs) and Kainoa Wilson (42 for 568, 5 TDs) are threats all over the field.

The No. 7 Bears are led by Ewaliko, who poses a different kind of threat behind center. He is quick enough to dodge oncoming rushers and fast enough to out-run secondaries when he gets past the line of scrimmage. The 6-0, 185-pound Ewaliko, who has verbally committed to play at the University of Hawaii, is Division I's ninth-leading rusher - the only QB among the top 20 rushers - with 636 yards and 11 TDs. This despite missing two Maui Interscholastic League games because of a fractured rib he sustained in a preseason game in a loss to Saint Louis, 46-0. His absence was felt, as the Bears' only loss league loss was to MIL Division II champion Lahainaluna, 32-0.

Farrington learned about Ewaliko the hard way in last year's quarterfinal. He rushed for 112 yards on 20 carries, including three TDs. He also passed for one in a 28-24 win.

"Great athlete," Trojans' coach Rod York said of Ewaliko. "They have a running game, athletic quarterback."

Running back Dusty Flores also poses a threat for the Bears' run game. He has 463 yards rushing with seven TDs.

This is Baldwin's 11th appearance, which is only matched by Kahuku. The Bears are 5-4 in quarterfinals, but their ceiling has been the semifinals, where they are 0-6.

The Trojans are in their fifth tournament and are looking for their first win. They are 0-3 in the quarterfinals, including losing to Baldwin, 22-17, in 2006, and 0-1 in the semifinals.

The Bears have won six in a row since losing to Lahainaluna. The Trojans had won six consecutive after losing to Leilehua, but had the streak snapped by Kahuku in last week's OIA Red championship in a 50-13 loss. It was a game that would've been much closer had Mililani not turn over the ball eight times. Six of the turnovers accounted for 42 points directly or indirectly.

"Nothing better to get over it than get after another team," York said.