As a sophomore, Baldwin's Ro Wilson high jumped 6 feet, 3 inches to win the event at the Maui Interscholastic League track and field championships.

Had he reached the same height in last year's state meet on Maui, he would have placed third. But that never materialized because of academic issues, Wilson said.

Much better focused in the classroom, the Bears' junior wide receiver will play in tonight's First Hawaiian Bank Division I state tournament opener against Leilehua at War Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

"My teachers are helpful," he said of his improvement in his studies and staying eligible to play sports.

Wilson, who's first name is short for Roulairen, plays a vital role in Baldwin's passing attack. He is fifth in state Division I rankings with 661 receiving yards from 36 receptions, and third with nine TD catches. He has been the main target for quarterback Brock Shishido, who is fifth among Division I passers with 1,445 yards and 18 TDs.

"He worked hard in the off season," Baldwin coach A.J. Roloos said.

"I lift (weights) with my dad and I run at the beach," Wilson said.

The Bears run a four-receiver set, much like the Mules. Three-fourths of their 24 TDs were through the air. Other key receivers are J.R. Dedios, Joshua Tam Sing and Sheldon Leong, who also saw action in the backfield, taking direct snaps from center in what Baldwin calls the "Bearcat."

Running back Aaron Ross leads the Bears in rushing with 498 yards.

The Mules lost All-State players Rico Newman and Edieson Dumlao to graduation, but back for his third consecutive postseason is QB Andrew Manley, who leads Division I passers with 2,753 yards. Kamana Akagi leads the team in receiving (62 catches for 983 yards, 10 TDs), while Carlos Marshall takes care of the ground game (363 yards, 6 TDs, 5.7 yards per carry).

This is the third consecutive meeting between the Bears (6-3) and Mules (8-3). Last year, Leilehua beat Baldwin, 34-15, in the opening round. Two years ago, the Mules beat the Bears, 34-15, in the semifinals at Aloha Stadium in a televised game.

Tonight's game also will be televised, the first prep football game from Maui for OC 16.

The Valley Isle might be thrilled about the TV exposure, but Wilson is taking it in stride.

"I don't think about it," he said. "I just want to play."

NOTES

OC 16's telecast tonight is a team effort, Hawai'i High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya said.

He said Young Brothers is picking up the tab (about $13,000) to ship two OC 16 production trucks to and from Maui. He added that Enterprise Rent-A-Car is providing the three vans and a car for the OC 16 crew and Hawaiian Air is giving reduced airfare for the crew.

"Even with this economy, everybody's still helping out," Amemiya said.