For the four football teams remaining in the OIA Red Conference playoffs, there is a safety net.After Mililani meets Kahuku and Farrington plays Campbell tonight, the losing teams are still in the hunt for a state-tournament berth. That’s the beauty of having the state’s largest league — and possessing three of the six Division Ispots in the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA State Football Championships. 

But in the ILH, there is no leeway. With just three D-I teams in the league, there is one route to the state tourney — win the league title. Top-ranked Punahou (8-0) has secured some insurance going into Friday’s playoff matchup with No. 3 Kamehameha (9-1). Because they won the regular-season title, the Buffanblu can afford to lose tonight’s playoff title game. 

Kamehameha, led by first-year coach Doug Cosbie, needs to beat Punahou on Friday, then defeat the Buffanblu again in a championship game next week to secure the league crown and the sole state-tournament berth. 

It was just a few weeks back when the Warriors seemed to be in a lull. After starting strong and peaking through midseason, there was probably no other defense or rushing attack as potent. Then came an injury to leading rusher Brandon Kahookele in a 24-0 loss to Punahou on Sept. 14.

The senior was a backup to Kaulana Apelu, but when Apelu went down with an ACL injury in the season opener at Castle, Kahookele became a force. He had a 200-yard game against Farrington and a 244-yard performance against ‘Iolani. 

Without him, there was concern. The passing game was still maturing. But the defense remained rock solid. And the offensive line was still brilliant. 

Kainoa Simao, their sterling kick returner and third-string back, proved worthy and prepared. He had a moderate workload with massive production in the next three games: 24 carries, 202 yards and three touchdowns against Pac-Five; 134 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries against St. Francis, plus a 95-yard kick return for another score; a school record 291 yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts — plus a 58-yard touchdown reception — in a rout of Damien. 

Then came last week’s 34-28 playoff win over Saint Louis. Simao was the workhorse with 41 carries for 233 yards and a touchdown. 

In just four starts, Simao has three of the top nine all-time single-game rushing totals since 1973. 

He now has 1,141 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

The Buffanblu will have defensive linemen Canton Kaumatule and Ruairi Brady ready, but lost a key reserve defensive back, Jordan Tanuvasa, to a knee injury in a win over Pac-Five two weeks ago. They should have more than enough to give Kamehameha’s ground attack a challenge.

“Their whole genre is their running game. With that offensive line, they don’t mind running 40 times in a game,” Punahou coach Kale Ane said. “It might be their best offensive line in 15 years. They’re dominant run blockers. I’d do the same thing. They’re successful and they’re dominant.” 

The big issue for any defense facing Kamehameha is not just Simao. It’s Noah “Fatu” Sua-Godinet’s increasing ability to punish overzealous run-stuffers. The sophomore aired out some big passes against Saint Louis. His numbers were modest — 6-for-13, 87 yards, one TD — but he didn’t turn the ball over and also ran for a 26-yard score on a quarterback draw. 

“We tell our kids that he’s going to have to throw at some point,” Ane said of Sua-Godinet. “He’ll throw when you’re not thinking about it, like third and short. Their receivers are athletic kids.” 

They were clutch defensively against Saint Louis, coming up with three second-half turnovers, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Ka‘aumoana Gifford. Coming up with a game plan to slow Punahou will be a much different challenge.

Punahou has diversified its offense. Larry Tuileta will still spread the field with a run-and-shoot look, but the Buffanblu have pulverized foes on the ground. Sophomore Wayne Taulapapa emerged as an elite runner (868 yards, 11 TDs overall), but the layers of efficiency keep adding on. 

Taulapapa (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) started the season as the backup to Kotoni Sekona, a 6-foot, 237-pound senior. Occasionally, they line up in the pistol-I or offset-I together. Sometimes it’s defensive lineman Patamo Soa (6-0, 270) at fullback. Other times, it’s 6-5, 310-pound offensive lineman Semisi Uluave. 

But that triple-option package, masterfully executed by Tuileta, is something Kamehameha has not experienced. Luke Morris, the former backup QB — he passed for 322 yards and four TDs against Kamehameha last year — has been a reliable wide receiver. But with the triple option, he lines up in the backfield and becomes Tuileta’s pitch man, gobbling up chunks of real estate. 

When defenses have tried to contain the inside play and the perimeter action, Tuileta has turned to tight end Dakota Torres. 

“We’re trying to create mismatches, which are difficult for defenses to take away,” Ane said. “Throwing the ball, running the ball. Tui’s got tremendous poise. It’s fun to look at things differently, things outside the box and have the kids respond. When you blueprint and it works, it’s just nice.” 

The X-factor, though, might be wide receiver Kanawai Noa. The all-state performer will suit up with a cast on his wrist. Ane expects the 6-foot, 180-pound junior to play. 

“We don’t know how he hurt it, but he’s practicing,” Ane said of Noa, who has 34 catches for 779 yards and seven TDs. 

TODAY’S GAMES

No. 2 Mililani (8-1) vs. No. 7 Kahuku (6-3) , Aloha Stadium — The Trojans are a machine, barely tested since an Aug. 15 loss to Punahou. Last week’s 21-9 quarterfinal win over Leilehua was the closest margin since the loss, and even then, it wasn’t quite as close as the score indicated. Leilehua’s offense (145 total yards) was shut out by a Mililani defense that did not have linebacker Dayton Furuta available. 

They will need Furuta (6-0, 220) against Kahuku’s smash-mouth attack. The Red Raiders were a different team with Soli Afalava back in the lineup. Despite a shoulder injury, he returned earlier than expected to rush for 157 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 45-20 win over Waianae.

The Trojans offense has been formidable, scoring at least 35 points in every game until last week. McKenzie Milton, a sophomore, has been effective with 1,020 passing yards and 10 touchdown tosses with just two interceptions. He has also been elusive as a ballcarrier (317 yards, 8.3 per carry, three TDs). 

Milton’s progress has been a huge bonus for the Trojans, who already have, arguably, the best running back in the state. Vavae Malepeai has rushed for 1,035 yards (6.3 per attempt) and 15 touchdowns in his sophomore season. 

But it will probably come down to the line of scrimmage when Kahuku has the ball. With Afalava back, the Red Raiders will likely attempt to impose their will, meaning they’ll run and run and run until Mililani stops them. Kahuku has every reason to stick to its bread and butter, especially when Mililani has a superb pass rusher in Kelii Padello, who had two more sacks in the win over Leilehua.  

No. 5 Farrington (7-2) vs. No. 6 Campbell (7-2), Aloha Stadium — The Governors defense has been stout since the start of Red East play, but it hasn’t faced a weapon like Isaac Hurd. The Sabers quarterback has passed for 1,816 yards and 18 touchdowns overall with just nine picks in 230 attempts. He has also run for 420 yards and seven more TDs. 

More often than not, Hurd picks up his yardage in scramble situations, and at 6-1, 195 pounds, he packs a wallop when he decides to pick up first downs with his feet. Campbell’s no-huddle approach will test the Govs, who have solid stoppers in linemen Motu Heimuli and Breiden Fehoko, and linebacker Manly Williams. 

A win thrusts Campbell into the state tournament, and the experience of Hurd helps. The Sabers can pile up points and they can win defensive battles. Since losing to Mililani five weeks ago, they have not permitted more than 14 points in a game. 

Farrington’s run brought a reward — a first-round bye — that gave it just enough time to re-energize and beat Kapolei 17-10 last week. Junior Montana Liana passed for a season-high 211 yards with two key touchdown strikes to Jacob Baguio. 

The question now is whether running back Sanele Lavatai, who suffered a hamstring injury in the win, will be ready to go. The 5-10, 174-pound senior has rushed for 824 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

“We’re not sure. It’s probably a game-time decision,” Govs coach Randall Okimoto said. 

FRIDAY’S GAMES

‘Iolani (6-4) vs. Damien (4-5), Aloha Stadium — This one is for the ILHD-II tournament title. The Raiders weren’t entirely satisfied after last week’s 47-18 playoff win over St. Francis. It was a nine-point game until ‘Iolani pulled away in the final quarter against the gritty Saints. 

Still, it was another step forward for the Raiders, who have taken their share of injuries. Junior Austin Jim On was efficient with 245 passing yards (19-for-28) and no picks, spreading the ball to six receivers. Jordan Ross, out with an ankle injury for nearly a month, saw limited duty. 

The Monarchs escaped with a 35-28 win over Pac-Five last week. Leeland Lauti rushed for 93 yards and quarterback Syles Choy overcame two picks to guide Damien to its go-ahead touchdown. 

The teams last played on Sept. 21, a 19-3 win by the Raiders. Damien offensive lineman/running back D.J. Aumua rushed for 119 yards in the loss. 

King Kekaulike (1-6, 1-6 MIL) vs. Baldwin (5-4, 5-2), War Memorial Stadium — The Bears are coming off a 48-3 loss to Lahainaluna, but have still won five of their last six games. Dusty Flores has emerged as a top running back (696 yards, five TDs) and Kawelakeapono Kaeo-Mata (51 receptions, 599 yards, six TDs) has become a top target of quarterback Jeremiah Badillo. Baldwin won the first matchup, 27-3. 

SATURDAY’S GAMES

No. 8 Lahainaluna (9-0, 7-0 MIL) vs. Maui (6-3, 4-3), War Memorial Stadium — The Lunas are bringing back memories of some of their best moments, like the 2004 season when they upset Mililani 41-34 in the D-I state tournament. Like the ’04 team, Lahainaluna has its studs, like highly touted college prospect Hercules Mata‘afa, a 6-2, 235-pound defensive end. But the Lunas have also refined their wing-T offense. Junior Makoa Filikitonga had an outstanding performance in the blowout win over Baldwin last week with 122 rushing yards (one TD) and 96 passing yards for another score. 

The Lunas won their earlier meeting with Maui, 37-7. 

Kauai (7-0, 5-0 KIF) at Waimea (1-7, 0-5), Hanapepe Ballpark — The Red Raiders clinched the KIF title and a berth in the D-II state tourney with a 6-3 win over Kapaa last week. In two earlier matchups, Kauai beat Waimea 35-13 and 27-0.