The Mililani High School football team is here today, and won't be gone to Maui until tomorrow.

The Trojans, who will play Baldwin at Wailuku's War Memorial Stadium in tomorrow's first round of the state tournament, are trying a "commando raid" approach to travel after losing on Maui in the 2004 state tournament. They are scheduled to depart Honolulu at about 11 tomorrow morning and will arrive in Kahului about eight hours before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

"I think we out-smarted ourselves last time by getting there a day early and trying to get acclimated," Mililani coach James Millwood said. "The guys didn't sleep well (in the hotel), and we had a real hard time (losing to Lahainaluna, 41-34), so I think it kind of backfired on us. But no matter what, Maui football is good and we've got our work cut out for us."

Millwood noted that fellow O'ahu Interscholastic Association members Farrington (in 1999) and Kailua (2003) also lost state tournament games at War Memorial Stadium, and this year's Baldwin team (9-0-1) is just as much a threat to send another OIA team packing.

"They have a good offense, good defense, and even their kicker put every (kickoff) into the end zone," said Millwood, who scouted the Bears' 64-3 victory over Pac-Three two weeks ago. "They throw the ball real well, and their offensive line knew their responsibilities."

Baldwin's offense, led by junior quarterback Jordan Helle, is potentially explosive. Helle has completed 134 passes in 239 attempts (56 percent) for 2,043 yards, with 26 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. He ranks No. 1 in the state in pass efficiency (157.0) and touchdowns, and is second in yardage.

Helle has a pair of dangerous receivers in Chase Nakamura (50 catches) and Colten Quinabo (46). Nakamura leads the state with 16 TD receptions and is second in yardage with 971. Quinabo has 602 yards and six touchdowns receiving.

"Their quarterback has a strong arm and he looked real good, and those two receivers are legit," Millwood said. "They have a lot of big-play capability, and they would do well here."

The Bears also have a strong running attack led by Chansi Bolosan (986 yards, 9 TDs).

Baldwin coach Jimmy Morimoto proved the Bears also can hurt you with the rule book. In its next-to-last regular-season game, Baldwin was tied with King Kekaulike 22-22 in the final seconds. Na Ali'i punted the ball and a fair catch was called and downed at the King Kekaulike 36-yard line with two seconds remaining.

Morimoto then called for a "free kick," allowing Dane Fernandez to kick a 46-yard field goal from the line of scrimmage with no defense in front of him.

Fernandez's kick sailed through the uprights, giving the Bears a 25-22 win and clinching their second straight Maui Interscholastic League championship.

A free kick is allowed only after a fair catch is called.

"I knew about the rule for a long time, but I've never seen it actually used, not even on TV," Morimoto said. "I guess I had it in my head that someday it might come into effect. But no one knew what was going on (before the play) — even our own players, the offensive line, went out there and then we had to call them back. The stars were just aligned for that play to happen."

The Trojans (8-3) could say the stars were aligned for them last Saturday, when they won 23-21 at arch rival Leilehua to clinch the OIA's third and last state tournament berth.

The Trojans lost to the Mules, 23-14, at Hugh Yoshida Stadium earlier this season, then went on a five-game win streak before losing to Wai'anae in the league semifinals. They then avenged the Leilehua loss after Isaiah Lawelawe scored on a 1-yard run with 3:26 remaining. Running back Jordan Torres led Mililani with 127 yards rushing (including a 54-yard TD) on 27 carries.

"I was very happy with how the team stayed focused," Millwood said. "The day before, we rented a bus and went to see the (football) movie, 'Facing Giants,' and it was a good team bonding thing. During the game, I heard some of them using quotes from the movie. It helped them believe in themselves and the team."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.