How they match up: ‘Iolani vs. Lahainaluna

‘IOLANI OFFENSE

Jim On is a playmaker who has thrown for 1,659 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. He has a cast of receivers he spreads the ball around to often. Makekau (651 receiving yards, 6 TDs) and Teruya (377 yards, 4 TDs) both have 42 receptions to their credit, and Ohira (325 yards, 2 TDs) also gets involved quite a bit. The Raiders balance their attack with a solid running game, led by Pascua (1,004 yards, 17 TDs) and Lotomau (639 yards, 10 TDs). ‘Iolani relies on precision and solid execution for its short passing and running game to keep defenses guessing. Tama Aga is a slotback who is also a key blocker for the Raiders in many situations. "They are all about precision," Lahainaluna coach Garret Tihada said about the Raiders’ offense. "They do what they do and they do it well. They’re fast and quick — assignment football. They never get caught doing too much. They stay with the schemes."

LAHAINALUNA OFFENSE

Any mention of the Lunas’ offense should start with the points it scores — 36.8 per game. That stat would make any opposing coach afraid. And then you take a look at the personnel. Filikitonga-Lukela is a master at running the option and, when the opponents least expect it, he can bust it up the middle for big gainers. Halfback Jared Rocha-Islas is just 5-foot-9, but packs a punch with a low center of gravity in his 200-pound frame. He can go inside and outside and knows how to follow his blockers. Kawabata and Cabanilla are also running threats. The Lunas don’t pass all the time like many high school offenses these days, but they can hurt you through the air with Cabanilla or Medeiros-Tangatailoa or the quick Josten Saribay off the bench. Filikitonga-Lukela has 14 TD passes to his credit, with only two interceptions. A massive offensive line is anchored by Mowat. Look for the Lunas to run their patented fly sweep often to test ‘Iolani’s ability to cover the width of the field.

‘IOLANI DEFENSE

Playing defense against offensive powerhouses in the ILH (Punahou, Saint Louis, Kamehameha) should have given the Raiders plenty of preparation to face anybody throughout the islands. But Lahainaluna scores more than 36 points a game behind a huge offensive line, so ‘Iolani will have its hands full. "If they didn’t have Lunas in front on their chests, you might mistake them for Kahuku," Raiders coach Wendell Look said about Lahainaluna’s bulk on the O-line. "We need to be disciplined and figure out how we are going to handle their size and athleticism up front. That will be our challenge. And they do all kinds of misdirections and can power inside." Look said his defense set the tone in the semifinal win against Kapaa and hopes the Raiders can continue having success containing the run. Naeole, Passi and Slade-Matautia are among the playmakers on the defensive side of the ball for the Raiders.

LAHAINALUNA DEFENSE

If you are going to get through the Lunas defense, you must contend with Kaina at middle linebacker. Said coach Tihada, He is the heart and soul of our defense. He makes all the calls and all the adjustments. Filikitonga-Lukela is a huge figure at safety and made his presence felt in the semifinals win against Kamehameha-Hawaii, leaping to make an interception and scoring on a long return. Biga-Rogers also had a key interception in that game in which the Lunas made numerous athletic and instinctive plays to keep the opponent on his heels. Mowat, who goes both ways and is a four-year starter, is a rock at nose guard. "It always comes down to the guys up front," Tihada said. "So we will be working to keep their offense off the field. That won’t be easy. If you try to stop them one way, they’ll do something else. Stopping the quarterback is key. How many thousands of kids want to play quarterback for ‘Iolani in that system? You have to be good to be the starter."

‘IOLANI SPECIAL TEAMS

The Raiders did not have a punter, so two ‘Iolani soccer players, Minami and Cole Tuisamatatele, joined the team and have performed admirably. Tuisamatatele, a soccer fullback, kicks rugby style. Minami, who also handles extra points and is a goal keeper in soccer, is more of a traditional-style punter. Coach Look has a ton of confidence in Makekau, who he calls a "weapon" for field goals and kickoffs. The coach said his returners are skilled at keeping possession of the ball and they know that’s their No. 1 priority. "They’re the good hands people," he said.

LAHAINALUNA SPECIAL TEAMS

Lunas punter Filiai can boom his punts up to 70 yards and sky high, according to coach Tihada. "It’s ridiculous when he gets a hold of it," Tihada said. "Sometimes, he’s not consistent with his drops, so it’s not that long and high all the time." Rocha-Islas kicked his first field goal of the season in the semifinal win over Kamehameha-Hawaii. Lahainaluna hasn’t had many long returns this season. "Overall our special teams haven’t been spectacular, but they’ve been solid," Tihada said. "We make our extra points, but nothing fancy."

SIGNATURE PLAYS

‘Iolani can attack from many directions

The ‘Iolani Raiders have long been known for spreading the field in a run-and-shoot look and throwing the football with success.

But the other side of their offensive prowess comes from the running game.

This play is accentuated by the trap blocks by LT Kamuela Borden and wingback Tamatane Aga. Technically, Aga is a slotback, but even at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, he has the mentality of an offensive lineman. In this game, he had several nice blocks. The defender on Aga is 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage. RB K.J. Pascua bursts up the middle for 10 yards.

Pascua is basically untouched until a DB covering Aga stops him.

View play online: bit.ly/1xIcOOi

Lahainaluna can overpower the opposition

Lahainaluna’s single-wing offense has befuddled defenses for decades.

In this situation in the red zone, Lahainaluna lines up in an unbalanced line with extremely tight splits. On the left, guard Brandon Kaina and tackle Danny Sulunga-Kahaialii are flanked by one of the biggest linemen on the roster, 6-foot-2, 310-pound Justin Hong. He’s technically in a tight end’s position, but there will be no passing on this snap.

As the play ensues, the left guard and right guard (Connor Mowat, 6-0, 270) pull left. The Lunas already had a mathematical edge; this ensures there will be four blockers against three defenders. RB Jared Rocha-Islas just follows his guards.

View play online: bit.ly/1xTUHm3

Follow the action at HawaiiPrepWorld.com as the Star-Advertiser continues to cover the most underpublicized facet of a football game — the battle between the offensive and defensive lines. We call it “Trench Warfare.” It is where the action is and where games are often won or lost.