When they battled at John Kauinana Stadium on Aug. 15, Punahou and Mililani were in different places.

Like Mililani, then-No. 2 Punahou had new faces at running back and on the offensive line. Unlike the Buffanblu, the Trojans had a tight competition at quarterback yet to be resolved.

The Trojans, who were fourth in the rankings, eventually solved the problem. They put their trust in a 5-foot-10, 150-pound sophomore, McKenzie Milton. The former JV signal-caller proved to be one of the difference-makers with his passing and scrambling. He has accounted for 2,019 yards as a passer and runner.

Those statistics will mean nothing today when the second-seeded Trojans and top-seeded Buffanblu (10-0) meet in the Division I final of the First Hawaiian Bank/ HHSAA State Football Championships. Mililani (11-1) has its biggest challenge yet, facing a fresh, healthy and physically gargantuan defense that surrendered just 18 points in postseason wins over Kamehameha and Farrington.

With run-stuffers Jacob Afele, Dayton Furuta and Rex Manu, Mililani’s defense has been dominant as well. But no other team, aside from Mililani, has run and thrown the ball as effectively as Punahou. That early-season meeting prompted the Buffanblu to make slight personnel adjustments. One was the swap of left tackle Semisi Uluave (6-5, 310) to left guard, putting his sheer power to better use on inside runs.

That permitted Davis Miyashiro-Saipa‘ia (6-2, 280) to use his mobility to tap down would-be pass rushers on the edge. The matchup of Miyashiro-Saipa‘ia against Mililani speed demon Kelii Padello, who had four sacks in the preseason loss to Punahou, will be an ongoing chess match.

As great as the Trojans have become in their quest for a first-ever state football championship, Punahou has some undeniable, unmatched qualities. There may not be a finer chemistry between a passer and receiver than that of Larry Tuileta and Kanawai Noa. Punahou’s offensive line has power and a high football IQ, and offensive coordinator Teetai Ane has a penchant for using Reupena Fitisemanu (6-0, 260) or Uluave at fullback in two- or three-back sets.

It’s usually a distinct advantage for the Buffs.

"Punahou’s going to do what they do," Mililani coach Rod York said.

MILILANI TROJANS
11-1, OIA Red Champion

MILILANI OFFENSE  

Like Punahou, the Trojans love to go no-huddle, and they started last week’s game against Campbell in a hurry-up.

That fits well with their personnel. Sometimes Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton looks a lot like former Saint Louis quarterback Micah Mamiya, running designed draw plays for first downs. Other times, he resembles ex-Kamehameha quarterback T.C. Campbell with play-action bullets to the flat.

"He’s bailed us out a lot of times. He’s become a playmaker in his own right and our offensive line has done a hell of a job for us," coach Rod York said. "Our O-line has bonded together and they can communicate non-verbally. Their IQ is huge. We keep it simple so we can play fast."

Milton became the full-time starter in the Trojans’ fourth game, passing for 207 yards and two TDs without an interception in a 44-24 road win at Waianae. The ride has been magical since Milton emerged: a 9-0 record, including the OIA Red crown.

While running back Vavae Malepeai, another sophomore, has produced a brilliant season, Milton has thrown for 1,493 yards and 15 touchdowns with just four picks. He has also rushed for 526 yards (8.9 per carry) and four touchdowns.

"He’s been through the fire. We have to find different ways to attack and change things up on him," Punahou coach Kale Ane said.

Milton’s emergence as a sophomore has been a big key. The Trojans rely heavily on Malepeai. The 6-foot, 190-pound running back has 1,342 yards and 20 touchdowns, but York has kept the workhorse’s load under control: 222 attempts in 11 games.

Bronsen Ader (58 receptions, 602 yards, 4 TDs) and Kainoa Wilson (37-542-3) are reliable targets in the Trojans’ four-wide sets. They haven’t shown a tight-end set since the graduation of Dakota Turner (now with San Diego State), but Milton’s accuracy (60 percent) and low turnover numbers fit right into York’s game plan.

MILILANI DEFENSE

"It’s kind of like looking at a mirror image," Ane said of the Trojans. "They’ve got Division I (college) prospects all over the place. Great defensive line, great linebacking attack."

Defensive tackle Rex Manu (6-3, 260) would love nothing more than to beat his former teammates. Doing that will require Manu and his Trojans brethren to continue anchoring the program. York, a former UH defensive lineman, emphasizes defense first.

Since the 24-14 loss to Punahou on Aug. 15, no other opponent has passed that point total.

Manu’s play in the trenches is exceptional, as is the consistency of linebackers Jacob Afele and Dayton Furuta. But it’s Mililani’s coverage that has been another strength. In last week’s 41-7 semifinal victory over Campbell, it was coverage by a unit led by Ian Namu that forced Sabers quarterback Isaac Hurd into improvised scrambles.

The superb playmaker was hurried all night by Kelii Padello (three sacks) and Manu (three sacks). The Trojans limited Hurd to 9-for-27 passing (127 yards).

When the teams played in August, Tuileta was often hurried. Padello had four sacks. But Tuileta still threw for 255 yards and a touchdown without a pick.

"Punahou’s going to do what they do. The ILH is like the SEC of the Oahu leagues, so to speak. They’re top dogs and we’re the underdogs," York said. "But we will go after them. We’re not going to sit back."

MILILANI SPECIAL TEAMS

Malepeai has been busy with return work all season and has returned one kick for a touchdown. Bronsen Ader, their deep-threat wide receiver, is also a kick returner.

Ader and Kainoa Wilson are the dual punt returners. Normally, they’re reliable, though Ader nearly lost a punt in last week’s game.

Place-kicker Marc Matas has been consistent. He has above-average range and has knocked in five field goals. His biggest value may be on kickoffs, where he has touchback range.

Mata Leota and Bronson Ramos are valuable on punt coverage as gunners.

PUNAHOU BUFFANBLU
10-0, ILH Champion

PUNAHOU OFFENSE

"They’re big. They’re fast. They’re balanced," Mililani coach Rod York said.

The Buffanblu had plenty coming back with Larry Tuileta and Kanawai Noa. Tuileta, a senior who has committed to the University of Hawaii (football and volleyball), had massive numbers last year as the Buffanblu finished second in the state. He sacrificed another monstrous season, putting his faith in the plans of offensive coordinator Teetai Ane and head coach Kale Ane.

The result: a deep, varied running attack that has yet to be stopped. Sophomore Wayne Taulapapa has rushed for 932 yards and 13 touchdowns on just 142 carries. Behind him, senior Kotoni Sekona (229, 3) is fresh and healthy after an early-season ankle injury. Taulapapa is the quicker of the two, a slasher who is becoming a valuable weapon on swing routes. Sekona is bigger (6-0, 237) and more of a pure gasher between the tackles.

Tuileta has been content to be a game manager for stretches, but when called upon, he launches aerial strikes with a precision matched by none. In the semifinal win over Farrington, he completed 23 of 34 attempts for 430 yards and five touchdowns.

Noa, like Tuileta, was an All-State first-team selection a year ago. This fall, even with a more balanced offense and the burden of torn ligaments in his hand for the past few weeks — the air cast has remained on his arm — he has been highly efficient. In his first game following the injury, he played through the pain and caught 11 passes for 147 yards against Kamehameha. Last week, he had a mere three receptions, but that included a 77-yard bomb from Tuileta, and he finished with 115 yards.

When defenses have the deep ball and the inside blast covered, Tuileta looks for tight end Dakota Torres. Or the Buffanblu can call on their triple-option package featuring versatile Luke Morris.

It’s almost unfair.

PUNAHOU DEFENSE

"Punahou’s kind of like Campbell," York said. "They play the 3-4. They play cover 4, cover 2, they play man, they’re very active, very aggressive, they tackle well. The thing about it is Punahou has those big boys up front."

When defensive ends Canton Kaumatule (6-7, 275) and Ruairi Brady

(6-4, 245) are healthy, the Buffanblu defense spares no foe. The two have been instrumental since their return, helping the unit to lock down two run-first powerhouses (Kamehameha and Farrington). Kamehameha rushed for 4 yards in their ILH playoff showdown as Punahou limited dangerous Kainoa Simao to 54 yards on 20 attempts. Farrington, playing without injured running back Sanele Lavatai, mustered 57 rushing yards.

Kaumatule, ranked as the top defensive end nationally for the class of 2015 by Rivals.com, has played through a shoulder injury that may require offseason surgery. Yet, he has been a wrecking ball on the field, exploding past double teams to bring down quarterbacks and running backs alike.

Even before the return of their fine D-ends, the Buffanblu held the fort down. Linebackers Tumua Tuinei, Ronley Lakalaka and Saitui Moea’i anchored a defense that allowed just 28 points in Punahou’s first six games.

In fact, only three teams have reached double figures against this unit: Saint Louis, Kamehameha and Mililani. With a healthy unit, the Buffanblu have been more willing to unleash blitzes by Lakalaka and Moea’i.

PUNAHOU SPECIAL TEAMS

The Buffanblu haven’t returned a kick for a score yet, but place-kicker Charles McDonald is a weapon. The senior has seven field goals plus touchback range on his kickoffs.

Heisman Hosoda and Luke Morris are the kick returners. Morris and Joseph Augafa are the dual punt returners.

The Buffanblu had hardly a glitch against Farrington last week, but a big one was on PATs. Farrington’s Manly Williams ran straight up the middle to block Punahou’s first extra-point try.

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