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After inauspicious starts, Punahou and Kahuku find themselves playing for the First Hawaiian Bank Division I state football championship.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday at Aloha Stadium. It will be televised live on pay-per-view and rebroadcast for free the next day.

The Red Raiders (11-1), ranked first in the ScoringLive/OC16 Power Rankings, are seeking an unprecedented sixth title. Yet, they have been in a longer drought that the No. 3 Buffanblu (11-2), who are looking for just their second crown, but first since 2008. Kahuku hasn't won a state crown since 2006. The teams met in the 2005 championship, won by Kahuku, 28-21.

Both teams have survived early adversities in their season. Punahou lost a non-league game to Campbell, 14-0. In the process, it lost highly-touted 6-foot-8 defensive end Luke Kaumatule to a knee injury in that game. He did not return to action until last week's semifinal win against Baldwin.

Kahuku coach Reggie Torres was suspended the first three games of the season for an administrative issue. This after the Red Raiders ended their previous season having to forfeit games that cost them a chance at an Oahu Interscholastic Association Red and state crowns.

The champions of their respective leagues share one trait: both have quick-striking defenses. Both will have to deal with strong running games. The UCLA-bound Steven Lakalaka of Punahou is a 1,000-yard rusher, as is Kahuku junior Aofaga Wily, despite torn ligaments that kept him out of games earlier in the season.

"We have to stop the run," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "They run a blast, they want to power dive it. Then we have to stop the bootleg."

Wily isn't the only problem for Punahou. Mahoniliai Fakatou (5.7 yards per rush) also had 100-yard rushing game last week against Leilehua, along with Wily.

"And we have Tre Kubota (4.9 yards per rush) back," Torres said.

Lakalaka also has 24 receptions and will lineup at QB in wildcat formation.

"Always the run, you have to stop the run first," Torres said. "We have to be able to wrap. (Lakalaka) is a great runner."

The difference is Punahou throws the ball better than Kahuku. Buffanblu sophomore Tui Tuileta, who shared time with another sophomore, Luke Morris, until the game at Vista (Calif.). Since then, Tuileta has made great strides at the position, passing for 1,544 yards and 18 TDs. Tuileta spreads his throws around, though the 6-5 wide receiver Malik Johnson is targeted the most.

But Tuileta will be throwing against one of the best secondaries in the state, led by safety Kawehena Johnson, a third-year starter with another year of eligibility. He is only 5-9, but he did make a leaping deflection of a long pass by Leilehua Kenan Sadanaga that appeared to be on-target for Jeremiah Andrade.

Kahuku's Lasi Livai has passed for 918 yards, but his TD-to-interception ratio is nearly 1-to-1. He will have to contend Punahou's twin towers, ends Kaumatule and 6-7 DeForest Buckner.

"It will be a chore," Torres said of keeping the Buffanblu front off Livai.

Both defenses can force turnovers. Whoever can get them in the other's territory will have to cash in on those gifts.

"Turnovers, they're going to happen in high school," Ane said. "You have to minimize it. But if you can keep a short field and keep the pressure on, that's a big advantage for whoever can do that."

"Field position will be a key, too," Torres said. "It allows us to be more open. Same with them. If your back is to the wall, you're going to be one-dimensional."

Defense isn't the only way to acquire favorable field position. Both can do it with special teams. Kahuku is always a threat on returns. But Punahou has the neutralizer in punter/kicker Kaimi Fairbairn. His booming kickoffs has usually resulted in touchbacks.

"You don't want to have your offense to have to go 80 yards all the time," Ane said. "That's why Kaimi is so important."

The Buffanblu and Red Raiders are survivors. But only one will hoist the perpetual trophy at the end of the game.