At one side of Oahu, the accent is on defense.

“We enjoy it so much because we love the sport,” Waianae defensive end Kana‘i Mauga said. “We want to play at the next level, so we keep pushing and pushing.”

At the northern tip of the island, Kahuku owns the patent on defensive domination in the islands. The Red Raiders have 12 shutouts in 24 games under coach Vavae Tata and staff the past two seasons.

If defense wins championships this weekend, the Seariders and Red Raiders could be suitable enough to advance. Waianae faces Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion — and offensive juggernaut — Saint Louis today in the 4:30 p.m. Open Division semifinal of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships at Aloha Stadium. The second game pairs defending state champion Kahuku and Kapolei in what appears, on paper, to be the ultimate tilt between a defensive-obsessed program (Kahuku) and an offensive machine (Kapolei).

True, Kapolei was exquisite offensively in a 33-21 upset win over Punahou last week. The Hurricanes ran the ball just enough to keep Punahou’s swarming defense honest. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa continued his march to the record books, distributing passes out of the four-wide attack to a multitude of receivers.

But as with other tournament advancees, Kapolei (10-2) played gritty, smart defense to get past the Buffanblu. With a fairly healthy defensive unit, head coach Darren Hernandez may be feeling more confidence than he has all season.

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and his cohorts up front sacked Punahou QBs five times and kept pressure on the pocket with proper containment from start to finish. Tagovailoa-Amosa, who has 14 college scholarship offers, is a 6-foot-4, 260-pound senior. He was not a one-man show. Juniors Sesoga Timu (6-2, 270) and Dylan Naehu (6-2, 250) and sophomore Treven Maae (6-4, 195) were relentless against Punahou.

There is no mistaking the Red Raiders (10-1) for a finesse-oriented operation. Whether it is out of the traditional I-formation or jumbo sets with eight blockers weighing anywhere from 200 pounds to 300 pounds, Kahuku is content to gash and bash for 4 yards or more per carry.

Harmon Brown (723 yards, seven TDs) and Elvis Vakapuna (751, 13) have been highly successful behind a mobile, massive O-line that includes superior blockers at tight end and fullback.

The Red Raiders have rendered many good offensive units powerless under Tata’s reign. They have a winning formula that has yet to be blemished in Hawaii. But there is hope for Kapolei, of course. Offensive coordinator June Jones’ sage teaching turned an already explosive aerial game into a full-blown airborne show in 2016. There are speedy RBs in Josh Kansana, who is currently injured, Leighton Rosa and Antoneo Brown, but this is an air attack with some flavor from the past.

It’s not just Tagovailoa who has prospered, and not just his leading receiver, Jaymin Sarono, who has 101 receptions for 1,056 yards and 21 TDs. The Hurricanes have developed some balance and depth in the passing game with Sarono, a major force after the catch, Wyatt Perez (59, 843, 13), Kaeo Alvarez-Ranan (32, 569, two) and Isaiah Ahana (39, 541, three).

This campaign is one of Jones’ finest works as a passing guru, perhaps his best since ’07, when he coached a Hawaii team to a 12-1 mark. That magical season was perfect through 12 games, as Warriors fans can recall, until they met their Godzilla: Georgia.

Kapolei’s big red wall is Kahuku, a team that has been staunch against the run, steady against the pass, and opportunistic against sloppy foes.

Kahuku has surrendered just 36 points in 10 games against Hawaii teams. The Red Raiders have been patient most nights, willing to give and bend to an extent over the past two seasons. The lockdown comes inside their territory, particularly in the red zone. That’s where the blitz has been unstoppable, and even without extra pressure, All-State cornerbacks Stokes Nihipali-Botelho and Kekaula Kaniho have been playmakers.

Kapolei is hoping the two corners have their share of struggles. It could happen. The state’s best corners in ’15 aren’t robots, and though they come up with deflections and interceptions, they won’t stop every receiver on every down.

The onus will be on Tagovailoa (3,659 yards, 41 TDs) to make the best when the pass rush is on, not necessarily to scramble for tough yards. The super sophomore — he has a scholarship offer already from Alabama — showed last week against Punahou’s talented defensive front that he can be extremely nimble in the pocket. When necessary, he will buy enough time outside the pocket without losing downfield vision.

It will be a great chess match in motion between Tagovailoa and Kahuku’s lead safety, Kesi Ah-Hoy.

TODAY’S GAMES

Waianae (9-4) vs. Saint Louis (8-1), Open division, Aloha Stadium, 4:30 p.m. — The Seariders, like their OIA counterparts at Kapolei, are the underdogs against a storied program. Even as the fourth-place team from the OIA, and even after last week’s stunning win over OIA runner-up Farrington in the first round of the state tourney.

Saint Louis will attack with the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, older brother of Taulia. Kanai Mauga and his defensive colleagues will have to find ways to keep Tagovailoa from stepping out to the sidelines for huge pickups.

Tagovailoa started the season with complete mastery, accounting for nine touchdowns in a win over rival Punahou. But defensive minds and smothering defenses caught up to the Crusaders senior during rematches. At one point, Tagovailoa barely cracked the 100-yard passing mark in back-to-back games in the rugged ILH.

Waianae hasn’t had the benefit of multiple meetings with Saint Louis. The slate has not included many scrambling QBs; Moanalua’s Alaka‘i Yuen and Campbell’s Kawika Ulufale are borderline scramblers who run when necessary, but not often by design.

Kahuku’s Sol-Jay Maiava is a true runner from the pocket, but his runs against Waianae back on Aug. 26 were limited. What will the Seariders do with Tagovailoa, who is not just the ILH’s leading passer (2,249 passing yards, 23 TDs), but its second-leading rusher (490 yards, six TDs)?

Tagovailoa is trained to stay in the pocket and go through his progressions, but at 6-1 and 215 pounds with speed, he knows he’s a tough load to bring down. He’s also not predictable. Ronson Young (25 catches, 350 yards, five TDs) came up with a huge performance in the ILH championship game, but Tagovailoa can easily go to Noah Alejado (31, 446, three), Tosh Kekahuna-Kalawe (29, 397, four) or Chandler Washington-Villanueva (18, 260, two).

If they can keep Tagovailoa in the pocket, the Seariders’ chances of success rise significantly. Last week, they did this to Farrington QBs Justin Uahinui and Bishop Rapoza — neither runs the ball often, but both can pick up yardage outside the pocket — en route to a 14-8 victory.

If they can somehow contain Tagovailoa, the Seariders have enough push at the line of scrimmage to move the chains and control the clock. Rico Rosario (1,189 yards, 14 TDs) has been superb as a junior, and it was Javen Towne who rose to the occasion in last week’s win when Rosario was unable to play. Towne (605 yards, eight TDs) and versatile Kade Ambrocio (334 rushing yards, 256 receiving yards, six TDs) are key returnees behind a formidable offensive line.

Mililani Misipati (6-1, 325) anchors the Waianae O-line, which has become a group of shape-shifters who can pass protect out of the four-wide and pull with extreme force in the old-school wing-T. Saint Louis’ mashers in the hash marks include Isaac Slade-Matautia and Jalen Saole. They’ve seen spread formations on most plays in just about every week with the exception of Kamehameha. Prepping for Waianae will be different.

It will, inevitably, come down to what Waianae can do to limit Tagovailoa’s big plays.

“It’s not how you start,” Mauga said. “It’s how you finish.”

Leilehua (5-7) at Mililani (7-3), D-I, 4:30 p.m. — The Mules have a history of uprising late in the season. Turn the pages back and there was a string of victories in the postseason by a then-sophomore sensation named Andrew Manley as a 3-3 Mules team won six games in a row.

There’s also history between Mililani and Leilehua, of course. The neighboring schools have been frenemies for basically four decades, and this year’s teams already played twice. Mililani won at Leilehua 52-35 during the regular season and 63-42 in the OIA consolation playoffs.

The Trojans traveled to Maui and pulled away for a 49-28 win over Baldwin last week. Leilehua rallied for a 26-25 win on the road over Hilo.

The Mules are banged up. All-State safety Charles Moku Watson has a season-ending torn labrum. Quarterback Kona Andres took a shot to the lower leg, but returned to run for the winning TD against Hilo.

Mililani has had its share of injuries. The core of key players is mostly intact, though. LB/RBs Darius Muasau and Jalen Olomua are crucial between the hash marks on both sides of the ball. QB Dillon Gabriel (2,239 passing yards, 24 TDs) is at his best when Olomua (465 rushing yards, 9 TDs) and Muasau (419, three) are gashing between the tackles.

Andrew Valladares has been a game-breaker for Mililani as Gabriel’s deep-ball target (40 receptions, 851 yards, 11 TD) and as one of the state’s most dangerous returners.

Campbell (7-4) vs. ‘Iolani (4-7), D-I, John Kauinana Stadium (Mililani), 7:30 p.m. — The Sabers are one of the biggest turnaround teams in the past year, going 1-6 in the ’15 regular season, upsetting Kaiser in the playoffs and ending the year on a good note. This fall, the Sabers have returned to their winning ways, thanks to a string of close wins.

A defensive front led by Kishaun Ki has been stingy on most nights, including last week’s opening-round 48-0 rout of Waiakea.

Offensively, the Sabers don’t have to gamble a lot, which means RB Tasi Faumui has been utilized (489 yards, three TDs). Ulufale is second on the team in total carries (99 for 97 yards, eight TDs). His turnover count has dwindled drastically in the latter half of the season, and he has reliable pass-catchers in Markus Ramos (40, 568, seven), Fangaima Mailei (20, 339, one), Vernon Etrata-Daite (26, 193, one) and Faumui.

The Raiders escaped with a 17-14 win over Moanalua last week. It was an eye-opener for some tournament watchers who believed ‘Iolani had a favorable draw, but coach Wendell Look had warned that Moanalua was a big challenge.

The Raiders get by on a commitment to the ground game with RB K.J. Pascua (866 yards, 14 TDs). Tai-John Mizutani (2,063 passing yards, 12 TDs) returned from a shoulder injury last week and is getting his touch back. Early in the season, he had great chemistry with his receiver corps, including Justin Genovia (70, 1,039 seven).

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Damien (7-2) vs. Kapaa (7-1), D-II, Vidinha Stadium (Lihue), 2:30 p.m. — The Monarchs made quite a statement last week, blanking OIA champion Waialua 40-0. Now comes the road trip to the Garden Island, though coach Eddie Klaneski’s team will be comfortable enough. The Monarchs flew to another island, Maui, and blanked D-I Maui 33-0 on Aug. 12.

Damien’s veer attack puts the strengths of QB Marcus Faufata-Pedrina on display, and when defenses get overly attentive to him, RBs Justice White (499, four) and Deacon Kapea (372, two) can be very effective. Tight end Shaun Apiki (28 receptions, 369 yards, 10 TDs) is especially useful in the red zone on Faufata-Pedrina’s play-action mastery.

The top-seeded Warriors, under Philip Rapozo, have swung from the highs to the lows and back up this season. Their KIF dynasty is preserved, and the close games — including a loss to Kauai — might have made them a better team.

“It’s awesome to play at home. We’re thankful for that opportunity,” Rapozo said. “We got a little complacent early in the season and other teams got better. It’s hard to play any team three times. After losing to Kauai, coming back to beat Waimea, that was the most hard-earned one.”

The Warriors have two QBs available: Kurt Napoleon and Teili Fonua.

“(Napoleon) also plays wide receiver and our backup quarterback (Fonua) has been coming along real well. He started against Waimea. He gives us a better chance,” Rapozo said.

Kapaa’s Unutoa brothers, Morris (6-5, 285) and Eli (6-4, 290), have drawn attention from colleges. Morris Unutoa has 11 scholarship offers, including one from Hawaii. Eli Unutoa, a sophomore, has offers from BYU and UH.

“They’re good kids. They come from a great family, great lineage. I’m excited for Mo, he has all the offers. His brother Eli will have the same or more when he becomes a senior. He’s something.”

Lahainaluna (7-4) at Konawaena (8-1), D-II, 7 p.m. — The Lunas, an MIL D-II dynasty, showed the visiting Waipahu Marauders what it means to be experienced and seasoned at the state tourney. Lahainaluna’s 52-14 win said as much about Waipahu’s relative inexperience as it did the Lunas’ overall tradition and success of years past.

With last year’s young team maturing into a potential state-title winner, co-head coaches Bobby Watson and Garrett Tihada have the Lunas peaking. Their modified wing-T offense was efficiency personified with 31 rushes for 311 yards and only four pass attempts. Their top three backs, Radon Sinenci, Elijah Ragudo and Donovan Defang combined for 211 rushing yards and four TDs.

That unique blend, a hybrid attack, is difficult for opposing teams to replicate at practice. It’s a wild card that is Lahainaluna’s secret weapon.

Defensively, the Lunas could present the pass-heavy Wildcats problems. They intercepted Waipahu QB Braden Amorozo three times and won easily despite more than 100 rushing yards by Marauders RB Alfred Failauga.

Second-seeded Konawaena QB Austin Ewing has carried much of the load for the Wildcats, who edged Kamehameha-Hawaii for the BIIF title. That allowed them to have a bye last week. Ewing has gotten help from RB Micah Laban, which opens the field up for receivers like Reyson Ching (12 TDs).