There are major, brand-name clashes scheduled this week, mostly in nonconference play, and there’s even a Thursday night matchup.

Then there are some matchups that rarely occur. That’s right, somewhere off the radar, at a site rarely seen let alone touched by most fans statewide, a little giant is in the making. Somewhere, on Saturday afternoon, in West Maui.

But first, a look at this weekend’s slate.

TODAY’S GAME

No. 2 Punahou (0-0) at No. 4 Mililani (1-0)

It’s not just about stopping Buffanblu quarterback Larry Tuileta, who threw for 2,592 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. No, it’s about finding a way around offensive linemen like Semisi Uluave and Davis Miyashiro-Saipaia. And containing last year’s super sophomore, wide receiver Kanawai Noa.

Mililani won’t lack for confidence after a 39-9 win at Moanalua last week. The Trojans’ committee of running backs, led by Vavae Malepeai and Pakelo Lee, rushed for 205 yards. Robert Faleafine and McKenzie Milton combined for 26-for-40 passing for 240 yards with two picks.

Punahou, with running back Ryan Tuiasoa also gone to college, will face a Mililani defense that shut down Moanalua’s ground game (minus-21 yards).

Friday’s games

Moanalua (0-1) at No. 5 Waianae (1-0)

After nearly two years without a home game, Waianae gets a second hosting opportunity in a row. The Seariders did a number on Farrington in a 33-16 win last week, limiting the visiting Governors to 50 rushing yards. The Seariders’ run-pass ratio was 36-16, with Jemery Willes gaining 78 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown run.

It’s another stiff test for Na Menehune and quarterback Micah Kaneshiro, who was picked off three times by Mililani last week.

No. 9 Farrington (0-1) at No. 6 Kamehameha (1-0)

The Warriors found a steady go-to running back in Brandon Kahookele (after an injury to Kaulana Apelu) in a 15-0 win over Castle, but almost half of their points came on defense. Kamehameha, guided by first-year coach Doug Cosbie, limited Castle to minus-63 total yards.

Kailua (0-1) at No. 10 Campbell (1-0)

The Sabers were balanced and quick in a 21-7 win at Kaiser last week. They also have an X-factor in quarterback Isaac Hurd, who was accurate through the air — despite stormy winds — and elusive on the ground in scramble situations. Kailua showed some balance in a 35-0 loss to Aiea with running back William Kaiimai and sophomore quarterback Noah Auld.

Pac-Five (0-1) at Aiea (1-0)

Na Alii coach Wendell Say refers to his squad as "one team," a group without stars. "We have to win games by playing together," he said last week.

Defense has been a cornerstone for Aiea over the years, but Na Alii found some offensive playmakers in returnee Shaenan Hernandez-Fonoti and Lincoln Tappe in the win over Kailua. First-year starting quarterback Jordan Liilii had his highs (265 yards, three touchdown tosses) and lows (three picks).

Kaimuki (1-0) at Waipahu (0-0)

The Bulldogs have talent and inexperience, but if key players like Randon Tuitama stay healthy, they might surprise in the OIA Red East. Tuitama, rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 win at Waialua last week.

This is the Marauders’ opener, a big test for a huge number of first-time varsity starters. Their option attack, with Kai Mercado-Aiona at the controls, will be a pain in the side for defensive coordinators.

McKinley (1-0) at Kapolei (1-0)

The Tigers are deeper than they have been in recent years, but coach Joseph Cho’s squad still won’t have speedster Tyrell Tuiasosopo (foot) in the lineup until the end of the month.

The Hurricanes will be in hurry-up mode with their no-huddle offense. Tristen Pebria, a transfer from Campbell, rushed for 188 yards in last week’s 42-7 win over Pearl City.

Damien (1-0) at Castle (0-1)

The Monarchs are coming off a 29-21 win at Kamehameha-Maui.

Kalaheo (0-1) at Roosevelt (0-1)

The Mustangs are back home after a back-and-forth battle at Kamehameha-Hawaii. Though they came up on the short end, 26-23, Makena Johnston gained 91 yards and scored two touchdowns in the loss.

Waiakea (0-1) vs. Hilo (0-0), Wong Stadium

Maybe there’s something to playing fewer nonconference games. Hilo, with dangerous Drew Kell back at quarterback, took a pass on last week’s festivities. The extra rep time couldn’t have hurt.

Meanwhile, Waiakea is absorbing the effects of a 34-0 loss at Hawaii Prep. Eight Warrior turnovers are a focal point for improvement.

No. 1 Kahuku (0-0) vs. No. 3 Saint Louis (1-0), Aloha Stadium

The Red Raiders have yet to be tested in a game, which means there will be plenty of eyes on their revamped defense and an offense that lost its key playmakers to graduation. The basic recipe for Big Red football: smashmouth efficiency up front.

They’ve got the backs to do the job, whether the ball is carried by Soli Afalava, Polikapo "P.J." Liua Jr. or transfer Salanoa Wily, a power runner who was a 260-pound fullback at Kamehameha last year.

Saint Louis has a big gun in quarterback Ryder Kuhns, but he’ll be tested by a defense that includes highly recruited defensive end Lamone Williams. The Crusaders walloped Baldwin 55-0 on the road last week.

A fairly inexperienced Kahuku defense against a Saint Louis offensive line anchored by Fred Ulu-Perry and Louis Vailopa will be fascinating to watch. Kuhns has great weapons at his disposal in running back Adam Noga and wide receiver Devon Stubblefield.

No. 7 Leilehua (0-0) at No. 8 ‘Iolani (1-0)

This is, for aficionados of fastbreak football, a slice of heaven.

Though the Mules and Raiders play a lot of football without huddling, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re playing at a breakneck pace. They share some common denominators — athletic, highly conditioned athletes; read-and-react skill sets; creative offensive coaching — but there’s still no question that ‘Iolani is smaller than most Top 10 squads.

The Mules sat out last week, fine-tuning with a first-year quarterback and a truckload of new faces on both sides of the ball. The one thing Mules coach Nolan Tokuda normally won’t do — play smashmouth football — is a welcome philosophy for the Raider defense. In a 51-36 win over Kalani last week, the Falcons rushed for 103 yards and passed for 345.

Coach Wendell Look got just about everything he wanted out of the long battle with Kalani. Quarterbacks Easton Tsubata and Austin Jim On got plenty of snaps, combining for 308 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Kalani (0-1) at Kaiser (0-1)

This is the OIA White regular-season opener for each team. They’ve always been neighbors, but these days, it’s clear they’re also rivals. It’s been some time since both schools have been this competitive at the same time. The ongoing progress at Kalani — with former high school coaching legends Ron Lee and Cal Lee on staff — and at Kaiser under former UH assistant coach Rich Miano has both communities geared up.

Noah Brum showed signs of improvement in the loss to ‘Iolani. He passed for 296 yards and two touchdowns with two picks. He completed 25 of his 48 attempts, but when he handed off to Ikona Mamiya, the Falcons found success. Mamiya scored twice, including a 37-yard jaunt.

The Cougars fell to Campbell last week, finishing the game with fierce linebacker/running back Fitou Fisiiahi (calf) on the sideline.

Anuenue (0-1) at Radford (1-0)

Na Koa head into their OIA White opener against the division’s defending champion. The Rams are aiming high again, but with a young defense, they may peak later than sooner. Cody Lui-Yuen passed for 387 yards and five touchdowns in a 47-15 win over Pac-Five last week. Absalom Henry (five receptions, 151 yards) and Maryknoll transfer Tobias Powell (four grabs, 96 yards) are great instruments for Lui-Yuen, who already has an established receiver in Jameson Pasigan.

Waialua (0-1) at Nanakuli (0-1)

The Golden Hawks are probably missing last year’s stalwart seniors more than they could’ve imagined. They lost at Kapaa 56-12 last week. The Bulldogs lost to Kaimuki last week.

Kapaa (1-0) at Lahainaluna (0-0)

Best game of the weekend? This really could be. The Warriors were mighty in a win over Nanakuli last week. Going on the road to face the Lunas, who were ranked No. 10 in the Star-Advertiser Preseason Top 10, is a monumental test. At Lahainaluna, games are played in the sweltering afternoon heat because there are no lights.

Add to that the Lunas’ deep lineup of returnees from last year’s Division II state runners-up, and Kapaa is in for a stiff challenge against a finely tuned modified wing-T offense.

Waimea (1-0) at Hawaii Prep (1-0)

Bobby Lum ran through Waiakea’s defense for 178 yards last week, and quarterback Koa Ellis passed for three touchdowns. This time, though, Waimea will probably offer more resistance.

The Menehune shut out Anuenue 42-0 last week behind the running of Destin Miguel, who had 270 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns.

Konawaena (0-1) at Maui (1-0)

The Wildcats are coming off a BIIF D-II championship, but the departure of Kahoali‘i Karratti (to Kaiser) and a load of talent in the past two seasons presents a challenge. The Sabers routed first-year varsity squad St. Francis 51-0 last week.

Kwansei Gakuin (Japan) at Kauai (0-0), Vidinha Stadium

The Red Raiders, like Baldwin, are a neighbor-island powerhouse that has endured a series of coaching changes in recent years. Kwansei, meanwhile, has been a force for decades. The Fighters have traveled to the islands as far back as the 1990s, when they blanked then-defending BIIF champ Konawaena 26-0.

Kwansei’s most recent trip here was in 2010, a 15-10 loss at King Kekaulike.