Quarterback Jordan Helle got the Baldwin High School football team off to a fast start, and the Bears hope his resurgence can carry the team far.

Helle, a senior, threw three of his four touchdowns in the first half as the third-seeded Bears defeated Farrington, 26-14, in a first-round game of the First Hawaiian Bank State Division I Championship on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

"He's peaking at the right time, just like the rest of the offense," Baldwin coach A.J. Roloos said.

Helle completed 17 of 29 passes with one interception for 200 yards and Baldwin (9-1) will face second-seeded Leilehua (8-4), the O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion, in Saturday's semifinal at Aloha Stadium.

"He started off throwing the ball well," Roloos said. "He had a great week of practice. He was working on his footwork and reading of his defense. It showed (against Farrington) and what he can do when he works hard at it."

Skyler Cabacungan was the recipient of Helle's first three touchdown passes as the Bears led 20-7 at halftime. The Baldwin defense then closed in on Farrington (6-4-2), the OIA third-place team, in the second half.

"We wanted to come out to a hard start, just put points on the board," Roloos said. "Farrington likes to run the ball so they'll eat up some clock. If we can get them to throw the ball more, our defense can come at them and play man-to-man and do their thing."

The Bears are finally coming together, peaking with players finally back from injuries. One of those returning players is All-State wide receiver Chase Nakamura. That spells an opportune time for the Bears and perhaps an eye-opener for opponents.

Baldwin, on the verge of making history, lost to eventual state champion Kahuku, 22-20, on a last-second play in last year's state semifinal. No Neighbor Island school has advanced to the Division I championship game.

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com.