For some teams, it is roughly the midway point of the season.

For others, there’s a long road ahead. Lots of time for slumping programs to make a run into the playoffs. Opportunities for powerhouses to test out reserves.

Punahou and Saint Louis barely get a breather, having played some of the toughest competition in nonconference games, before squaring off tonight. In the wild OIA Red West, every game is a potential jawbreaker.

In the OIA Red East, there’s some cushion between the elite (Kahuku, Farrington) and smaller, less-experienced squads.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s jawbreakers and David-versus-Goliath matchups.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14

Castle (0-4, 0-2 OIA Red East) at No. 1 Kahuku (3-0, 2-0 OIA Red East): It’s been an overwhelming experience for the Knights, who are young, relatively inexperienced and, at least in the trenches, somewhat depleted. One of their best linemen, junior Nolan Eseroma (6-1, 303) transferred to Farrington in the offseason. The once-potent offense is averaging fewer than 70 yards of total offense per game but has improved gradually, at least through the air.

Kahuku brings a battering-ram ground attack featuring Aofaga Wily, who has 473 yards and seven touchdowns. Fullback Polikapu "P.J." Liua (5-9, 222) had his best performance as a ball carrier last week with 116 yards and two touchdowns against McKinley.

No. 3 Punahou (3-1, 2-0 ILH) vs. No. 4 Saint Louis (2-2, 1-0 ILH), Aloha Stadium: They might be the two most explosive, entertaining offenses in the state. Saint Louis racked up 119 points against good defenses in the first three games (Farrington, Baldwin, Bishop Gorman), but 68 last week against ‘Iolani makes this a juggernaut.

Sophomore Ryder Kuhns (784 yards, eight touchdown passes) found Jeremy Tabuyo three times last week for touchdowns. But offensive lineman Reeve Koehler is out with a knee injury for at least a couple of weeks, and Punahou will bring heavy pressure off the edge with Canton Kaumatule. The Crusaders often go to Adam Noga, who has racked up 539 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Punahou’s Larry "Tui" Tuileta leads the state in passer rating (197.86), distributing spirals to a large assortment of teammates. One of them is Kanawai Noa, a sophomore who already has 27 receptions, 534 yards and seven touchdowns. Tuileta, a 6-foot-2 junior, has been remarkably efficient (10 touchdowns, one interception).

Running back Ryan Tuiasoa (253 yards, four touchdowns), like Noga, can be a factor as a rusher and pass catcher. Tuiasoa (6-0, 214) was well rested in last week’s win over Damien.

No. 7 Leilehua (3-1, 1-1 OIA Red West) at Kapolei (3-1, 1-1 OIA Red West): The Hurricanes haven’t beaten the Mules since 2007, when quarterback Mason Koa picked up 153 yards in total offense and Lyle Santiago intercepted two passes in a game at Kapolei. Current ‘Cane running back Jacob Kukahiko (5-11, 210) is averaging 7.5 yards per carry (339 yards, five touchdowns).

Leilehua’s Keoni Piceno had a career-best 16 receptions (for 155 yards) in the loss to Aiea last week.

Waianae (2-3, 1-2 OIA Red West) at No. 10 Campbell (4-1, 2-1 OIA Red West): The Seariders turned to their ground attack in a big way to post their first conference win last week. Campbell missed running back Paul-Andrew Rhoden (6-1, 210), who sat out of last week’s loss to Mililani (injury).

Damien (3-1, 0-1 ILH) vs. Pac-Five (1-4, 0-2 ILH): The Wolfpack’s Nick Kwon has been one of the stellar defenders in the secondary and special teams. He has blocked a field goal and returned a kickoff for a touchdown (96 yards against Mililani).

Kaimuki (0-5, 0-3 OIA Red East) at Moanalua (2-3, 2-1 OIA Red East): Defenses have geared up to slow Moanalua running back Ishmil Scott (364 yards, three touchdowns), giving first-year starting QB Micah Kaneshiro opportunities. When Kaneshiro has passed for more than 100 yards, Na Menehune have won (Kailua, Castle). Below 100, Moanalua falls (to Mililani, Waianae, Farrington).

Waipahu (1-4, 1-2 OIA Red West) at Aiea (3-1, 1-1 OIA Red West): In a few short weeks, Kaimi Paredes has done an admirable job learning the double-slot option offense at Waipahu. His versatility (546 passing yards, 241 rushing yards, nine combined touchdowns) is valuable, and his deep-ball capability gives the Marauders one of the best producers in the state in Dylan Pakau. The senior has 17 receptions for 395 yards, a whopping 23.2 yards per catch, and five touchdowns.

Aiea has been locking down offenses all season, permitting just 35 points in four games, including last week’s 18-16 victory over Leilehua.

Kaiser (3-2, 3-1 OIA White) at Nanakuli (3-1, 3-1 OIA White): As a passer, Chazz Troutman is middling — two touchdowns, four picks, 105 yards in his past two games. But as a playmaker, he is phenomenal. The Golden Hawks are riding his legs — 247 yards and three touchdowns against Kalani — to their best start in nearly a decade.

Kaiser linebacker Fitou Fisiiahi, at 6-2 and 240 pounds, may be as fast as Troutman. It’ll be the ultimate challenge for first-year coach Rich Miano and his staff.

Roosevelt (0-3, 0-3 OIA White) vs. Kalani (2-2, 2-1 OIA White), Kaiser Stadium: The Falcons have given Noah Brum a big workload (29-for-50, 315 yards against Nanakuli).

Roosevelt had its first lead of the season last week on a 54-yard touchdown from Michael Matsuoka to Kainoa Koki.

Ka’u (0-2, 0-2 BIIF) at Honokaa (1-3, 0-2 BIIF): Quarterback Makana Ebanez had 100 yards and a touchdown last week in the Dragons’ near-upset of Kamehameha-Hawaii.

Hawaii Prep (2-2, 2-0 BIIF) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (5-0, 2-0 BIIF): All-State basketball player Shaun Kagawa continues to shine on the gridiron. The senior cornerback/linebacker ran 58 yards for the game-winning touchdown against Honokaa last week.

Maui (1-2, 1-1 MIL D-I) at King Kekaulike (0-3, 0-0 MIL D-II): Aaron Alama (74 rushing yards) was a bright spot for Na Alii in a narrow 11-8 loss to rival Kamehameha-Maui last week.

Kapaa (3-0, 1-0 KIF) at Waimea (1-2, 0-1 KIF): Warriors coach Kelii Morgado’s penchant for the passing game is alive and well. A.J. Cummings had four catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 43-14 win over Kauai. Fresno Masaniai (13-for-18, 246 yards, three touchdowns) could be on his way to a breakout season.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15

No. 2 Farrington (5-0, 3-0 OIA Red East) vs. McKinley (2-2, 1-1 OIA Red East): The Govs opened the season with more emphasis on a balanced offense, but have returned to smashmouth football since the return of Tyler Taumua. Abraham Silva (854 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Taumua (455, seven) are the state’s premier rushing tandem.

McKinley stacked the box against Kahuku in last week’s 35-7 loss, which should be an interesting challenge for the Govs and sophomore quarterback Montana Liana.

No. 9 Konawaena (4-1, 2-0 BIIF) at Kohala (0-2, 0-2 BIIF): The loss of rover back Austin Denis (leg) for the season is a key for the Wildcats’ defense. They’ve got plenty of offense intact, though. Kahoali’i Karratti (1,146 yards, 17 touchdowns, three picks) has the second-highest passer rating in the state (190.06), behind Punahou’s Tuileta.

He has savvy receivers in Domonic Morris and Kenan Gaspar, but running back John Kamoku remains one of the most dangerous breakaway threats in the state. Kamoku (5-10, 175) has scored nine rushing touchdowns in just 27 carries (10.2 yards per attempt) and also has two touchdown catches. Karratti and his playmakers will likely see limited playing time, as was the case in last week’s 86-0 win over Ka’u.

Pearl City (1-4, 1-3 OIA White) vs. Anuenue (1-4, 1-3 OIA White), Tosh Nakasone Field (Waialua): Coach David Hallums’ Chargers will have an aerial force for Anuenue and coach Kealoha Wengler. Na Koa’s double-wing offense is all about precision and clock management; they consumed an entire quarter of ball possession against Kaiser. Fullback Kainalu Kaleo (859 yards, nine touchdowns) has taken a beating in the trenches, but keeps getting up. Anuenue Tui (463, three) and Malaeloa Liua (213, one) have become bigger factors.

Brock Teixeira has started to blossom in Pearl City’s wide-open attack (310 yards, six touchdown passes against Roosevelt). Daicorri Briscoe (24 receptions, 454 yards, three touchdowns) did not play last week, but Isaac Amorin (seven catches, 194 yards, five touchdowns) and Tanner Tokunaga (four grabs, 101 yards, one touchdown) filled in last week.

Radford (4-0, 3-0 OIA White) at Waialua (0-4, 0-2 OIA White): Cody Lui-Yuen may be the most impressive of junior signal-callers this season, thanks in large part to coach Fred Salanoa. Lui-Yuen (6-3, 205) has passed for 822 yards and 10 touchdowns, and only in one game has he thrown more than one pick.

Hilo (2-1, 1-0 BIIF) at Kealakehe (3-1, 1-0 BIIF): Coach Sam Papalii relied on some old-school smashmouth plays to start the season, but with Jordan Cristobal back from injury, the Waveriders have surged to a higher level. He has passed for 377 yards and rushed for 187 more, with seven total touchdowns in Kealakehe’s last two games, and has yet to throw an interception.

Lennox Jones has undergone a transformation, too. After carrying the ball 23 times for 97 yards with no receptions in a win over Kailua, he has gone back to the slot to become a double-edged weapon. Jones (5-6, 150) had seven carries for 130 yards and a touchdown, plus six catches for 100 yards and another score in last week’s win over Waiakea.

Baldwin (1-2, 1-0 MIL D-I) at Kamehameha-Maui (1-3, 0-0 MIL D-I): The Bears are in entirely unique territory with a losing record following last week’s 32-0 loss to Lahainaluna in a game that didn’t count toward the D-I and D-II standings. Quarterback Keelan Ewaliko (rib) and linebacker Jordan Hoiem (flu) haven’t played since their opener against Saint Louis.