Life has been good to the Punahou Buffanblu.

Rich in talent, long on desire, hungry to replicate the satisfaction of that 2008 state football championship. There was even a trip to sunny San Diego — actually, the town of Vista, Calif. — along the way for coach Kale Ane’s squad.

For all their success this season, the Buffanblu (8-2) are in elimination mode. A win tonight against Saint Louis would improve their record to 6-1 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and force a tiebreaker game with Kamehameha (6-1 league) for the Division I title. A loss to the talented Crusaders would bring a sudden end to Punahou’s season.

The rare Thursday date is just the beginning of a smorgasbord of football fun for fans. Though the regular season is long done for the Oahu Interscholastic Association, semifinal playoff matchups Friday are tasty, to say the least. Kahuku is on a quest to recapture the league title after being booted by the OIA just 24 hours before last year’s championship game for the use of a still-debated case of ineligibility. The Red Raiders face Leilehua, the league’s most prolific passing team.

In the other OIA semifinal, Campbell gets a shot at the state’s No. 1, Farrington. Both semis are at Aloha Stadium.

Punahou vs. Saint Louis

Crusaders coach Darnell Arceneaux admits it’s a tough pill to swallow after winning last year’s state championship, but he believes it’s about the spirit, not the success.

“We’re doing good. This is always a character builder. Our senior class has kept up the tradition about character and effort. Despite the injuries, these guys have never stopped believing,” he said. “It’s a different era and it’s not always going to be based on wins and losses. We’re going to try to play spoiler. To end your career with a win and not have that bitter taste in your mouth, that’s what you play for, to represent Saint Louis. It’s our homecoming game and we want to make our alumni proud.”

On paper: The Buffanblu defense has been possibly the best at its craft with four shutouts, and it has not permitted more than 18 points in any game. Still, the 17-10 loss to Kamehameha nearly two weeks ago prevented Punahou from clinching the ILH title outright.

This second meeting with Saint Louis is laced with questions. Will Saint Louis (6-3, 3-3 ILH) have the motivation to compete after being eliminated from title contention by Kamehameha last week? Are lingering injury problems going to deplete their personnel and depth?

After all, Punahou won the first matchup 35-0, and the offense has been usually productive since. Running back Steven Lakalaka has nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns combined from scrimmage. Wide receiver Malik Johnson is one of the top targets in the ILH (31 receptions), and sophomore quarterback Larry Tuileta has thrown 12 touchdown passes with just seven picks.

Saint Louis’ once-potent offense has stagnated with the onslaught of injuries. In the loss to Punahou, Kamana Pimental was the primary ballcarrier (15 carries for 81 yards). Now, Adam Noga has emerged as a breakaway threat to complement Pimental’s rugged work inside.

Punahou was opportunistic in the first meeting, recovering two fumbles (Jordan Hirai, Chase Sakai) and picking off two passes (Ka‘aha McAfee-Torco, Isaac Savaiinaea).

“Our biggest thing is we want to stay close going into the second half,” Arceneaux said. “Penalties have killed us on offense, so we’ve got to stay consistent with the ball, take our shots once in a while.”

The skinny: The longer the season stretches, the more defensive coordinators pinpoint the weak spots of any offense, particularly in the six-team ILH. Even after turning the pages and digging deep into their playbooks, powerhouse teams like Punahou, Saint Louis and front-running Kamehameha haven’t been able to dominate offensively.

Saint Louis’ commitment to run the ball last week exploited the shiftiness and speed of Noga, but Punahou’s linebacking crew might thrive against that game plan. Linebackers Zachary Hernandez (6-0, 205) and Savaiinaea (6-3, 230) anchor a run-stopping crew that has allowed just 100 rushing yards per game.

Saint Louis hasn’t quite been the same defensively since losing safety Jacob Lacaden to a season-ending injury. Still, defensive linemen Kalei Auelua (6-4, 250), Kamalei Correa (6-3, 245) and Kaena Paikai (6-0, 220) find ways to make plays. Auelua had both of his team’s sacks in the loss to Punahou.

X factor: There is no kicker who has been as proficient on kickoffs, PATs and field goals as Punahou’s Kaimi Fairbairn (nine field goals, 30 extra points). His range goes well beyond 50 yards on field goals.