No. 1-ranked Punahou (8-0, 5-0 ILH) takes on No. 2 Saint Louis on Saturday with the opportunity to clinch the ILH championship for the fifth year in a row.

A win would give the first-half winner, Punahou, the second-half title and the overall championship. Saint Louis needs a victory to claim the second half and set up a championship game with Punahou. Two wins in a row over the defending ILH champions?

Tough task, indeed, for both head coaches — Cal Lee of Saint Louis and Kale Ane of Punahou.

"They’re playing well as a team, as a whole," Lee said. "They’ve got their running back (Wayne Taulapapa), of course, and everybody does their job. That’s what everybody’s got to do. It takes all 11. If we can get by them this time, it gives us a lot of confidence. This could be a one-and-done game. The kids realize it and they’ll play hard and see what happens."

"You go into every game with the same mind-set to compete the best we can," Ane said. "Not look at going back a second time, or a third, I guess."

It has been a mission not quite impossible for the Crusaders (6-1, 4-1), who had been competitive, but not at championship level since Delbert Tengan was head coach. Competing against Punahou’s combination of coaching, work ethic and influx of elite, young talent required something different, yet very much the same.

Lee and his staff have lifted the Crusaders within reach of the throne, using a complex methodology of tradition coaching and work ethic. Standout linebackers Isaac Slade-Matautia and Jordan Loveni Iosefa transferred in from public schools, willing to sit out one year as required by ILH rule. Others, like D-I OL prospect Nate Herbig, sacrificed the comforts of home by moving to Oahu from a neighbor island.

Lee was gone from the prep ranks for many years, coaching at the University of Hawaii, but his Midas touch — 14 Prep Bowl titles, two state crowns — remains.

Now, only Punahou — four-time defending ILH king — stands between the Crusaders and the state tourney.

When the teams met on Sept. 25, Punahou needed two overtime periods to escape with a 51-45 win.

"I think both defensive coordinators would like more stops," Ane said. "Both offenses were outstanding and clutch."

The Buffanblu did it with Nick Kapule, a backup QB, passing for 331 yards (26-for-36), three TDs and two interceptions. They relied on the senior Taulapapa, who stepped up with 32 carries for 159 yards and four TDs. Another key component that night was Keala Martinson, who had six receptions for 122 yards. Martinson suffered an ankle injury in last week’s win over Kamehameha.

Tua Tagovailoa has limped through victories in recent weeks, hampered by a nagging calf injury. He wasn’t at 100 percent in the previous matchup with Punahou and still passed for 346 yards and rushed for 72 more, accounting for three TDs. He was also picked twice, showing that even the state’s most highly recruited QB is only human when injured. Superhuman, maybe, but still human.

"We want to get pressure on Tua, but he’s so poised with great vision and a quick release. You hold your breath because he might throw it or he might run," Ane said.

Perhaps one of the breakthroughs of that game was the emergence of Lanakila Wilson (five catches, 141 yards) and the confirmation of Leelan Oasay (five grabs, 107 yards). Oasay, though, is injured (shoulder) and out for the season, Lee said. That leaves the onus on Jahvin Spear and reliable Drew Kobayashi.

Kobayashi and Herbig are among the Crusaders who have battled back from injuries.

"I’ve never had so many injuries," Lee said. "One, two, three running backs. Our O-line, Tytus (Timoteo), (Jacob) Russell, but they’re all back."

The aerial circus of both offenses will be difficult to counter, especially with the recent play of Punahou’s Ethan Takeyama. The 5-foot-8, 155-pound senior had 14 receptions for 215 yards and two TDs against Kamehameha.

Today

No. 5 Kamehameha (4-4, 1-4 ILH D-I) at ‘Iolani (2-6, 0-5) — Both teams are out of title contention — there is no ILH playoff system other than the first- and second-half winners meeting for the lone state berth — but the Raiders have all the incentive in the world to post their first win in league play this season.

Since edging Waianae 21-14 on Aug. 27, 2011 (Reece Foy passed for 319 yards, three TDs), ‘Iolani has lost its last 20 games against ILH and OIA D-I teams.

Saturday

Damien (5-1, 2-1 ILH D-II) vs. Pac-Five (3-2, 1-2), Aloha Stadium

Coach Eddie Klaneski’s Monarchs wisely put the ball in the hands of their best playmaker, QB Marcus Faufapa-Pedrina, and were rewarded with 110 points in their first four games. But ILH coaches love to scout and adjust, and Damien has managed to score just 12 points in its last two games.

The Monarchs can claim their first ILH D-II crown and state berth since 2003, when Tevita Williams was their QB and Ranson DeCosta was their lead RB. Damien beat Kapolei and Waimea before losing to Aiea 9-7 in the state final.

OIA

Today

No. 9 Kailua (7-2, 5-2 OIA D-I) at No. 6 Waianae (6-2, 6-1)

The Surfriders have come a long way since last year’s winless season. Noah Auld’s injury-plagued junior year left Kailua in dire straits offensively, but his return late in the season provided hope. Auld threw for nearly 200 yards in the season finale and the Surfriders nearly doubled their entire season’s scoring output in a 34-33 loss to Moanalua.

Kailua hasn’t won a playoff game since Oct. 17, 2009, a 21-0 home victory over Campbell. It’ll be tough at Raymond Torii Field, where the Seariders will be well rested and hungry. The Seariders have not played since losing to Kahuku 30-0.

Kaimuki (6-3, 6-2 OIA D-II) at Nanakuli (7-2, 7-1)

The Golden Hawks finally returned to their renovated home field after a long stretch on the road. They lost to eventual regular-season first-place finisher Radford 28-7, then beat Kalani 22-6, ending the Falcons’ playoff hopes.

Nanakuli’s exemplary road success was rewarded. They get to play at home in this make-or-break playoff game. A win puts the Golden Hawks into the state tourney with one of the OIA’s two D-II state berths. Kaimuki hasn’t been the same since the early season. The Bulldogs have won five in a row since moving DE Billy Masima to running back. Masima has rushed for 661 yards and seven TDs.

Saturday

No. 7 Kapolei (6-4, 5-3 OIA D-I) at No. 3 Kahuku (8-0, 7-0)

The Hurricanes can’t seem to avoid the Red Raiders no matter what changes come to the OIA divisional structure. On Aug. 14, the ‘Canes lost to Kahuku 27-7. Last season, they lost a regular-season opener at Kahuku 33-19 on a night when offensive lineman Noah Punahou Mahelona’s father, John, collapsed in the bleachers and later died. Two months later, Kapolei lost at Kahuku in a playoff matchup, 9-0.

Kapolei does have a history of winning at one of the toughest sites for any visiting team. In 2007, QB Mason Koa kept the ball on the ground and the Hurricanes ground out a 14-7 win.

Moanalua (4-5, 3-5 OIA D-I) at No. 4 Mililani (7-1, 7-0)

The OIA’s most balanced conference (Blue) was often merciless for teams like Moanalua during the regular season. Last week’s 58-22 win at Leilehua demonstrated the strength of the playoff format, which allows all but the last-place teams of each conference to qualify for the playoffs.

Alaka‘i Yuen’s breakout season has yet to end. The Trojans, though, have not missed a beat since Kaysen Higa stepped onto the field after McKenzie Milton’s shoulder injury. 

Campbell (2-7, 2-6 OIA D-I) vs. No. 8 Farrington (6-2, 5-2),
Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium

The Governors have rested up since pulling out a 21-14 win over the Sabers two weeks ago at Aloha Stadium. Campbell’s defense was outstanding that night, but hasn’t had a bye week since late August.

Last week’s 27-21 win at Kaiser was epic, but the Sabers will need more of that postseason mojo. They might get it by grinding this out, the same way they did in the fourth quarter against Kaiser with a seven-minute-plus drive for the go-ahead TD. 

Waialua (5-4, 4-4) vs. Radford (9-0, 8-0), Aiea High School field

Hope springs eternal for the Bulldogs, who are having possibly their finest season since the Caleb Fore era nearly a decade ago. Waialua last had a winning season with Fore at QB in ‘06.

The Rams are having a monster season on both sides of the ball. They’ve outscored opponents 371-40, including a 2-0 forfeit win over Anuenue. In addition, they have not lost to Waialua in 20 years. That’s 13 wins in a row for the Admiral’s squad.

ILH DIVISION I STANDINGS & STATISTICS

ILH DIVISION II STANDINGS & STATISTICS

OIA D-II STANDINGS & STATISTICS