A week ago, the unbeaten Farrington Governors were looking at the real possibility of first place in the rugged OIA Blue Division.

Or a second-place finish. Either way, a highly valued, first-round bye would be a timely reward in the playoffs.

Instead, sixth-ranked Farrington (5-1, 5-1 OIA Blue) now has its back against the wall. The Governors lost to division leader Mililani 41-14 and, worse yet, lost quarterback Montana Liana for a game. The senior co-captain drew an automatic suspension after being ejected for a late hit at the end of the first half against Mililani.

Now, the hungry seventh-ranked Sabers of Campbell (5-1, 5-1) await Saturday’s showdown at Aloha Stadium. With one of the state’s elite defensive units, they won’t have to contend with Liana, who had his finest half of the season — 8-for-12, 188 passing yards — before the ejection.

The winner will seal second place and that coveted first-round bye. The loser will slip into the opening round of the playoffs, where all kinds of craziness and unpredictable things are known to happen.

It’s too bad, not just for coach Randall Okimoto and Gov nation, but for prep football fans who enjoyed the growing chemistry and creativity of the team’s offense. Farrington had Mililani’s stout defense baffled on the first play from scrimmage last weekend, sending speedster Ranan Mamiya in motion out of the backfield for an 80-yard touchdown pass from Liana.

Now the Govs have lesser, though intriguing options. Backup QBs Joziah Anakalea and Jathen Chaffin got more reps at practice this week. Anakalea, a junior, was 4-for-8 for zero yards in relief of Liana.

Then there’s Option M.

Mamiya, a transfer from St. Francis, who was in a similar situation a year ago when the Saints’ starting QB went down for an injury. Mamiya spent the rest of the season at quarterback, often running wildcat-formation keepers.

As a RB or receiver, Mamiya’s comfort zone are on the edges and in the flats. In six games, he has rushed for 557 yards and 10 TDs, averaging 9.8 yards per carry. He has also hauled in 10 passes for 158 yards and a TD. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior has returned a punt and a kickoff for TDs, and he has also thrown a TD pass.

The move to QB might be a necessity, but could be bolstered by the play of running back Challen Faamatau. Though his workload has been light as of late — 18 carries in the past three games — the 5-10, 183-pound sophomore is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. The threat of Faamatau (four TDs) means a wildcat set or any formation that can spring Mamiya won’t make things easy for Campbell.

The big problem for the Govs, however, is that Campbell’s collection of run stoppers may be the best in the OIA. From linebackers Unity Kea Cambra (5-11, 200) and Abiel Taito (6-2, 200) to safety Solomon Matautia (6-2, 215), the Sabers have been tenacious and swarming. Led by defensive tackle Trestan Ludiazo (6-4, 250) up front, Campbell is one of only three teams to limit Mililani’s Vavae Malepeai to 5 or fewer yards per carry.

Defense is what the Sabers will rely on since the offense has been erratic, scoring 37.7 points per game in its first three games and just 21.7 in the three games since.

Sophomore Ezra Savea is talented, but learning quickly on the job as a first-year starter. Since a 296-yard, six-TD performance against Kailua, he has thrown seven picks in the past two games against Mililani and Aiea.

Blazing-fast running back Terell Johnson has also had his share of great nights, hitting the 100-yard mark three times, but has averaged fewer than 3 yards per carry against Kailua, Kapolei and Aiea.

Coach Amosa Amosa’s team has a wealth of talent, however. Austin May stepped up in the Aiea game and rushed for a season-high 82 yards. Like Faamatau, May has been a valuable backup who picks up a lot of yardage (5.9 per carry) with a limited amount of touches.

Campbell’s big-play threat, Jayce Bantolina, already has 29 receptions for 482 yards and six TDs. Aiea, however, became the first team to keep the 6-2, 205-pound senior out of the end zone.

Farrington has won the past five meetings, including last year’s 7-0 playoff game at Aloha Stadium. Campbell last beat Farrington in 2001, 34-12.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

No. 1 Punahou (4-0, 4-0 ILH) vs. Pac-Five (2-3, 1-3), Aloha Stadium

Normally, coaches like a lot of practice time, but at this point, they like a lot of games, too. For the Buffanblu, the dearth of games hasn’t been a hindrance. Ephraim Tuliloa has been extremely efficient. The first-year starter has completed 72 percent of his throws, averaging 304 yards per game despite limited playing time due to blowout wins. His 244.18 passer rating is astronomical.

His predecessor, Larry Tuileta, had a QBR of 189.52 in 2012 and 169.85 last year. Marcus Mariota of Saint Louis had a QBR of 189.98 in 2010. Wayne Taulapapa has spent nearly as much time sitting as he has on the field because of those lopsided games. The 5-11, 185-pound junior is averaging 11.2 yards per carry and has run the ball only 40 times, scoring eight TDs.

Wolfpack sophomore Kainoa Ferreira continues to keep the offense active. Though defenses may take away his favorite target — Tsubasa Brennan had a season-low two catches against Kamehameha last week — Ferreira keeps spreading the ball around. He has thrown for at least 229 yards and two TDs in each of his first five games.

Damien (2-3, 1-3 ILH) vs. No. 3 Saint Louis (4-3, 4-1), Aloha Stadium

Saint Louis sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been on fire since a week 3 loss to Punahou. In three contests since, the southpaw is 59-for-75 (79 percent) for 923 yards and 12 TDs with just one pick.

‘Iolani (3-2, 2-2 ILH) at No. 4 Kamehameha (4-1, 3-1)

Fatu Sua-Godinet has begun to master the system, by air and by ground. In his past three games, the senior has thrown for 597 yards and run for 147 more, accumulating eight TDs in all. The last time a Kamehameha QB had this kind of spike in his learning curve was 2009, when T.C. Campbell got hot and sparked the Warriors to a state crown.

No. 10 Kaiser (4-2, 4-2 OIA Red) at No. 8 Leilehua (5-1, 5-1)

The Mules’ defensive effort last week was phenomenal, limiting Kahuku to 80 total yards of offense. Still, Leilehua came up just a bit short in the loss, and now Kahuku owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. Kaiser could put a wrench in the battle for second place by knocking off the Mules. With a win, Leilehua fends off the pack, including Waianae.

Kaiser’s offensive line and RB Jensen McDaniel get a severe test in this one. McDaniel (752 yards, 13 TDs) is averaging 125 yards per game.

McKinley (0-6, 0-6 OIA Red) at Castle (1-5, 1-5)

The Knights can seal a playoff berth with a win. If the Tigers pull out a victory, that sets up a three-way tie (with Waipahu) for the final playoff berth in the division.

Nanakuli (6-0, 6-0 OIA D-II) vs. Radford (5-2, 5-1), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium

The Golden Hawks can clinch first place with a win. The Rams are chasing one of the top two playoff berths, which will bring a home-field advantage that they don’t have this season due to their non-playable field situation.

Kalani (4-2, 4-2 OIA D-II) at Pearl City (5-1, 5-1)

The Falcons ended a 10-game losing streak to the Chargers last year. This time, the Chargers have the more potent offense and Kalani is clinging to fourth place — the last playoff berth. Pearl City was vulnerable against the run in last week’s loss at Nanakuli. Kalani’s Ace Faumui is a big running back (439 yards, six TDs, 109 yards per game) who is well rested. The Falcons had a bye last week.

Kalaheo (2-4, 2-4 OIA D-II) vs. Kaimuki (1-5, 1-5), Kaiser Stadium

Kaimuki is out of playoff contention while the Mustangs need to win out and hope both Waialua and Kalani lose its final two games to get into the postseason. The Bulldogs have a five-game win streak against the Mustangs. Kalaheo last beat Kaimuki in ’97.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Moanalua (3-3, 3-3 OIA Blue) at No. 2 Mililani (7-0, 6-0 OIA Blue)

Moanalua WR Jason Sharsh is making up for lost time in a big way. The senior has caught 18 passes for 353 yards and three TDs in his past two games, including last week’s game-winning scoring catch against Kailua.

Mililani has a four-game win streak on Moanalua. Na Menehune last beat Mililani in ’05 with Stanford Leti at QB. Now they have Kawika Keama-Jacobe, who lit up Farrington four weeks ago for 574 yards and three TDs. The first-year starter currently has 1,670 yards and 12 TD passes, but has also been picked off eight times.

Mililani’s defense is among the best at taking the ball away. Opposing passers have completed just 52 percent of attempts for 1,096 yards (182 per game) with a QBR of 124.3. The Trojans have permitted 13 TD passes, but have intercepted 14 balls.

Waianae (4-2, 4-2 OIA Red) vs. No. 5 Kahuku (5-1, 5-1), Aloha Stadium

A Kahuku win clinches first place in the Red, but a loss coupled with a Leilehua win over Kaiser on Friday means the Mules would take the top spot.

The Red Raiders have won the past 12 meetings, mostly in the playoffs. Soli Afalava ran for 157 yards in last year’s 45-20 win by Kahuku. Waianae last beat Kahuku in 2000, a 12-7 win at Aloha Stadium with Inoke Funaki (268 passing yards) leading the way.

Kapolei (2-4, 2-4 OIA Blue) at Aiea (2-4, 2-4)

The winner secures fifth place or better. Kapolei beat Moanalua four weeks ago, so a victory over Aiea plus a Moanalua loss to Mililani would give the Hurricanes the head-to-head edge for fourth place. That would mean home field for the first round of the playoffs.

Aiea has a playoff berth secured. Moanalua beat Aiea two weeks ago to gain the head-to-head edge.

Waialua (3-3, 3-3 OIA D-II) vs. Anuenue (0-7, 0-7), Kaiser Stadium

Who wants to be No. 4? The fourth and final playoff spot is up for grabs between Kalani and Waialua with Kalaheo an extreme longshot but mathematically alive.

Waialua’s playoff hopes are intact after a comeback win over Kaimuki last week. The Bulldogs need to A) beat Anuenue and Radford (next week), and hope that B) Kalani (4-2) loses to Pearl City and Nanakuli. A share of fourth place, should Waialua and Kalani finish in a tie, would do the Bulldogs no good. Kalani blanked Waialua 32-0 in the season opener. 

STANDINGS, STATISTICS

ILH

Division I

Division II

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing

Rushing

Receiving, by catches

OIA RED

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing

Rushing

Receiving, by catches

OIA BLUE

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing

Rushing

Receiving, by catches

OIA DIVISION II

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing

Rushing

Receiving, by catches