Kauai's last four meetings against Interscholastic League of Hononlulu Division II competiton ended with losses. But that was in preseason.

The Kauai Interscholastic Federation champion and unranked Red Raiders (5-3) will see if their luck changes when it matters most against Interscholasitic League of Honolulu Division II champion and No. 3 Damien (9-3) in a semifinal of the First Hawaiian Bank Division I state football tournament. The game is 2 p.m. Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.

Their history against each other is recent, but so much has changed since they met in preseason in 2014 and 2015. Damien prevailed in both. (Kauai lost to Saint Francis in a 2016 and in 2017 in preseason action).

"They're going to be a scrappy team," Damien coach Eddie Klaneski said. "Both times we played them in the last couple years, it's been a battle with those guys. We have to look at film at what they're doing more recently and prepare for that."

Added Red Raiders coach Derek Borrero: "We have some film on Damien and we played them two years ago in a preseason game. Looks like they've changed a litttle bit, offensively and defensively. They're a little bit of everything. They have size, got speed and they're a hungry bunch of young men, so we've got our hands full agianst Damien."

The Red Raiders are coming off one of the league's most competitive seasons in recent history. At 4-2 in the KIF, Kauai edged Waimea by one game in the standings. In the previous four seasons, the KIF champ won by at least three games. Borrero feels the competitiveness of the league should help his team against the Monarchs.

"I think it's been the best in three years," Borrero said. "Kapaa has dominated the past three years and it's kind of evened out. Waimea beat us once, Kapaa beat us once. The league was quite even this year, but we were lucky enough to pull it out."

The same could be said for Damien, which won the ILH first round, but was forced into a playoff with second-round champ Saint Francis. The Monarchs squeezed by the Saints, 13-12, in last week's playoff for the state berth.

     » WATCH: Saint Francis vs. Damien ILH D2 Championship postgame interviews

Both teams have some skilled players to reckon with.

Kauai, which runs the ball about 70 percent of the time, Borrero said, is anchored offensively by running back/outside linebacker Jaykob Nakaahiki-Young and quarterback/cornerback Christian Manera. When the Red Raiders do throw, 6-foot-1 Noah Ruiz is the favorite target.

"I think we match up quite well," Borrero said. "I'm pleased with our offensive line. We've been able to move the ball down the field. We struggled last week against Kapaa, but we've had good success at running the ball."

One of Kauai's key linemen is 6-2, 240-pound right tackle Quinn Hoover.

Damien has answers to Kauai's offense in the names of linebacker Matthew Faufata-Pedrina, safety JT White and lineman Shiloh Kaeo. White has recently come on strong after missing the preseason with a stomach ailment. He had three interceptions in the ILH title game against Saint Francis, including one to kill the Saints' comeback.

"He was struggling at the begining of the season given his health issues," Klaneski said. "His head focused; he's back with us. We're real proud of the way he's played the last two games. He really showed up and made an impact to the defense, sealing that victory with the last intercepiton was unbelieveable."

Offensively, the Monarchs are led by quarterback Marcus Faufata-Pedrina, a passing and throwing threat.

"We know that he's a creator, whether he's running the ball or throwing it," Borrero said. "We're going to have to be able to contain him because if it's not there (open receiver), he's gonna go, and he's a great runner also. He's a big concern of ours."

He has talented receivers in Akila Arecchi and Lindon Sevilleja, who have combined for more than 1,000 receiving yards and 11 TD catches.

Running back Keoua Kauhi leads his team with 849 rushing yards.

Kauai will have its work cut out. Among its key defenders are lineman Matthew Passi, middle linebacker Noah Tangalin, OLB Nakaahiki-Young, defensive end Zachary Hee and DBs Manera and Hoopii.

A new era in D1 begins. The @FHBHawaii/@HHSAAsports Division I State Championship gets underway on Saturday — https://t.co/nhXGzIrpva pic.twitter.com/d0eLWE22wz

— Spencer Honda (@SpncerHonda) November 2, 2017