If there’s any mystery surrounding the Hilo Vikings, that could dissipate once they hit the turf at Aloha Stadium on Friday. 

Hilo (10-0), coached by David Baldwin, is as no-frills as smashmouth football can get. That’s something the Kahuku Red Raiders (8-2) can appreciate. 

The featured game (7:30 p.m.) of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division I State Football Championships could be a quick one. There’s more chance the teams will combine for 80 handoffs than 80 pass attempts. Much more. 

"I met the coach for the first time Sunday. He’s a class act," Kahuku coach Lee Leslie said of his counterpart, Baldwin. "They’re the ones we want to play, and they deserve to be there on TV." 

The Vikings, now two-time Big Island Interscholastic Federation champions, lost in last year’s opening round to Campbell at Keaau High School’s field. Like 2013, the Vikings relished the opportunity to dominate in the trenches, using a size and speed advantage to go unbeaten in the BIIF again. 

Tristin Spikes was at the center of the storm for a second year in a row. The senior has rushed for 1,145 yards this season (8.8 yards per carry). He gained 1,310 yards last year, including 83 in a 47-27 loss to Campbell. Hilo’s defense forced turnovers in that battle and led 17-14 in the third quarter. Campbell got three touchdowns, including two via air, by then-quarterback Isaac Hurd to rally for the win. 

Quarterback Sione Atuekaho is a dual threat with 445 rushing yards (11.7 per carry) and 1,276 passing yards. The senior is 72-for-162 (44 percent), averaging 7.9 yards per attempt, along with 20 TDs and 10 interceptions. 

Hilo was truly tested just twice this fall. One close game was a 27-20 win over eventual BIIF D-II champion Kamehameha-Hawaii. The other was a 7-0 win at Kealakehe. The rest of the time, the Vikings dominated the BIIF. 

The Viks will look to minimize any offense’s running game. Linebacker Ofa Fahiua (5-11, 210), one of their returning stonewallers, leads the team with 131 tackles (16.4 per game) and has picked off four passes. He has also recovered four fumbles. Safety Haili Mahoe (5-8, 175) is averaging 10.1 tackles per game and also has three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. 

Hilo limited KS-Hawaii’s leading rusher, Kaeo Batacan, to just 23 yards on nine carries. They’re also willing to trade off and give some cushion to receivers. KS-Hawaii’s Bayley Manliguis had a season-high 10 receptions for 90 yards and a TD in that same game. The Warriors’ QB, Micah Kanehailua, was 25-for-49 for 277 yards, two TDs and two picks in that contest. 

Kahuku’s postseason hopes may lie with the progress of QB Tuli Wily-Matagi. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior suffered a concussion in last week’s OIA D-I championship-game loss to Mililani. He tested "quite well" on Monday, Leslie said, and had more testing to do during the week. 

If Wily-Matagi isn’t able to play, Kahuku will saddle up Samuta Avea, a 6-5, 190-pound sophomore. The seldom-used Avea struggled against Mililani, but looked much more comfortable after getting his feet wet. 

"If Tuli can’t play, Samuta will be ready to go," Leslie said. "A whole week of practice will do him a lot of good." 

It was unfortunate timing for the Red Raiders, whose grasp of Leslie’s multiple formations and styles was seemingly solidified in a competitive first quarter against the heavy favorite, Mililani.

"I always felt like if Tuli could get the offense down at the right time, we would hit that stride," said Leslie, their first-year head coach."

Whether Wily-Matagi or Avea start, Hilo’s defense has already left an impression.

"They’ve got a good running back. He’s quick," Leslie said of Spikes. "34, their linebacker (Fahiua), is a heck of a physical kid. They don’t look like Punahou or Mililani, but they work hard and they’ve got some decent quickness." 

Since a bye week (Oct. 10), the Red Raiders have endured three extremely physical games: a 9-0 win over Kapolei, a 21-14 victory over Farrington and last week’s 20-7 loss to Mililani. Sophomore running back Kesi Ah-Hoy is one of the top breakaway threats in the state, but has played through a series of lingering injuries. If he is healthy enough, he may take some snaps at QB, where he has lined up in wildcat sets occasionally. Ah-Hoy is 8-for-9 for 182 yards and three TDs this season. 

Leslie’s offensive sets have produced enough offense — when the Red Raiders put a lid on turnovers — and their defense has been stellar in recent weeks. Kahuku limited Mililani QB McKenzie Milton to a season-low 139 passing yards and picked him off twice. 

Big Red also stifled Mililani RB Vavae Malepeai, who had 20 carries for a hard-earned 56 yards. The big difference maker, besides the injury to Wily-Matagi, was Milton’s ability to connect by air with two receivers on perfectly timed deep balls for TDs. 

The challenge will be there for the Viks and Atuekaho. If Hilo is going to advance — and give the BIIF its first win in the D-I state tourney — its 6-2, 200-pound senior signal-caller will probably have to make the biggest plays of his career.