Kamehameha-Hawaii's Micah Kanehailua will face off against cousin Kale in a rare meeting between cousins at quarterback on opposing teams in a state tournament game. Sean Nakamura | SL

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When Nanakuli (10-0) and Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii (7-2) take to the field on Saturday in the first round of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Football State Championships at KS-Hawaii's Paiea Stadium, it will be a family reunion for the Kanehailuas. Micah (KS-Hawaii) and Kale (Nanakuli) are cousins that play quarterback for their respective teams and they have a rare opportunity to face each other in a state tournament game.

Kale Kanehailua has thrown for 1,462 yards and 14 touchdowns on 108-of-197 passing so far this season to lead the Golden Hawks offensively. He has also rushed for 363 yards on 80 attempts and 14 touchdowns. Kale threw two touchdown passes in the OIA D2 championship game, his second touchdown was a 27-yard pass to Isain Wong in overtime.

For the Warriors, Micah Kanehailua leads the offense and has been the quarterback since his sophomore year. Micah has thrown for 1,697 yards and 22 touchdowns going into this matchup. According to Lyons, KS-Hawaii implements an uptempo, spread offense with different formations.

"Micah has been starting for us since sophomore year. The thing that sets him apart is his calmness and his ability to make decisions. The negative is that he's been in four or five different offenses since he's been here, this year it's the second year of the same offensive system -- I took over as offensive coordinator last year and I think he has an idea and we're trying to do," said KS-Hawaii coach Dan Lyons.

"For them it will live with them forever and it's something they can talk about at family reunions. I guess there will be bragging rights to whoever wins this game. That's a cool little thing and I imagine there are other things that will add more substance and that's what high school football is all about," said Nanakuli coach Keala Watson.

It's been a journey for both teams as they won their respective league championships. Nanakuli pulled off a thrilling 37-36 victory over Pearl City in overtime to claim the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II championship. KS-Hawaii took down Konawaena, 35-13 to win the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II title, their first since 2010.

Since losing to Hawaii Prep on Sept. 27, the Warriors went on a four-game winning streak to close out the season.

"We have been working on the program and system how we do things and the journey has been steady and we've been keeping our eye on what we want to accomplish and getting where we are today, I feel we are on that path and we are looking forward to this first round game and see how we're progressing," said Lyons.

Although Nanakuli is currently undefeated, they trailed against Kalani and Pearl City (twice), but still found ways to win. There is something about this Golden Hawk team and you can't count them out, no matter what the score is.

"There's some kind of atmosphere and nothing can penetrate their minds and hearts to bring them down. These guys will never give up and it's a good trait to have that they will never back down from any challenge, even though they are down and game is over. They will fight to the end," said Watson, on his team's resiliency.

On the ground, Nanakuli gives the rock to Makaila Haina-Horswill, who ran for 1,284 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season. Clifford Cunnigham (562 receiving yards, 5 TD), Isain Wong (486 yards, 4 TD) and Keanu Momoa (311 yards, 3 TD) have so far accounted for 12 receiving touchdowns and according to Watson, they make plays and help spread the ball around.

"We have a bunch of receivers that make big plays when we need them. Isain Wong, our slot, Keanu Momoa, Clifford Cunningham and we have a supporting cast of other guys and what we try to do on offense is we try to spread the wealth on offense," said Watson.

For the Warriors, Kaeo Batacan rushed for 589 yards and six touchdowns and Kanehailua accounted for five rushing touchdowns. So far this season, Bayley Manliguis leads the team with 39 catches for 513 yards and six touchdowns, Grant Shiroma has 17 catches for 323 yards and five touchdowns, and Alapaki Iaea has nine touchdowns with 24 catches and 306 yards.

It will be an interesting task preparing to travel to the Big Island, but Watson believes it shouldn't be too different than what he does with his team throughout the season. Nanakuli traveled to Konawaena two seasons ago for the opening round when Skippy Lopes was the head coach.

"I think the focus part, it won't be easy, but it won't be a problem," said Watson. "One thing I try to stress is this entire season is we have to keep the focus of what we have to do. It's hard to keep a bunch of 15, 16 year old kids focused on the next game if they keep winning, people are telling them they are good and they see the news and they're undefeated. It's real easy for someone to be complacent and satisfied, but we tell them to keep the perspective that what you did last week won't help you this week. Our guys have gotten that message and I don't imagine it being a problem."

Defensively, the Warriors have held their BIIF opponents to 18.4 points per game. The strength of their defense comes from their linemen and linebackers.

"Defensively we are an aggressive front and with some good linebackers. Pono Davis, he plays defensive lineman, but also plays offensive line. He's a physical and aggressive kid, and he could probably play college football. We have Kamakana Pagan, he's an outside linebacker for us and Wayne Dacalio they're both sophomores, but very physical and aggressive. Isaiah Tauati, is another outside linebacker and they fly around the field," said Lyons, on several studs to look out for.

"I did see a little bit of film and they are discipline and have size. It's going to be a challenge, these guys will come ready and so will we. It's a good opportunity for our guys as well as their team to play new faces. There's an upside, we get to experience new things in this state tournament," commented Watson.

For the Golden Hawks, they also held their opponents to 17.9 points per game this season and their defense has some playmakers to look out for-- on the line and in their skill positions.

"Defensively we had guys develop into athletes: Alexcio Paulo-Meyers plays all skill positions. We have our two mainstays in the middle, Randy Manewa and Elijah Kaimi. They step up big time and support on run. We try to rotate defensive linemen because the demand is so high," said Watson.

In the secondary, the players to look out for are Ramon Kahili-Frantella, Brayden Ramaila, and Watson said they moved Luke Luna-Luuloa, who was a backup running back and he's been doing well for them in that position.

The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m., but neither team is complaining and they are taking it in stride.

"That's interesting when I announced to the kids they said, "That's awesome, it's practice time". That's how they take things and look at the positive on how that goes and I think they are looking forward to that," said Lyons.

"I don't imagine it will," said Watson. "We practice at 3 in the hot sun in Nanakuli. I think that helps us, playing night games is a luxury and it won't be a problem."

The winner of this game travels to play top-seeded Lahainaluna at War Memorial Stadium on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.

"What's been nice about the team is that we've dealt with different adversity. One thing they don't do is quit," said Lyons, on his team's resiliency. "It's about taking care of what we do. We know Nanakuli is a good team and we have to make sure we take care of ourselves and not make mistakes and represent ourselves to the best of our abilities."

"Whatever we have left in this season, it's going to be the same and they found ways to win games and we're going to stick to it. It's going to be an exciting state tournament and we're excited to be a part of it," said Watson.