Iolani quarterback Reece Foy scrambles for yardage against Radford. ScoringLive file photo

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Lahainaluna's Hercules Mataafa tackles Nanakuli's Chazz Troutman. ScoringLive file photo

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While the philosophies may differ somewhat between the Iolani and Lahainaluna football teams, the make-up of both squads is really, quite similiar.

But while the Raiders (8-3) are aiming for an unprecedented sixth consecutive state title, the Lunas (9-1) are looking to breakthrough for the first state crown in school history. Iolani, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, and Maui Interscholastic League-titlist Lahainaluna will meet Friday at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium in the final of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II State Championships.

The game will be aired live statewide on pay-per-view on Oceanic 1260 (digital)/260 (analog) and on ESPN1500AM on the radio.

Iolani is making its eighth appearance in a D2 state final in the last nine years. The only time the Raiders did not make the title game was in 2006, when they lost to eventual-champion King Kekaulike in a semifinal game. Iolani's current string of five straight titles began with a 29-21 win over Lahainaluna in the 2007 state final.

So when his team posted a 43-0 shutout over Radford in a semifinal game last Saturday, Wendell Look was pleased, but not surprised by his team's relatively-calm, business-like demeanor.

"That's kind of how we kind of do things," said Look, who is in his 22nd season at the helm of his alma mater. "The kids know the jobs not done yet and that they don't have reason to be satisfied with anything yet. Our ultimate goal is to win the state championship and it's far from over. We have lots of hard work to do next couple days. They know that Lahainaluna will be a tough opponent."

It's a different situation on the other sideline, where Lahainaluna will be looking for redemption after falling short in the semifinal round in each of the last two seasons. Garrett Tihada, along with fellow Lunas co-head coach Robert Watson, will be bringing their team back to Oahu for the second time in as many weeks after the Lunas beat Nanakuli, 28-0, in the other semifinal last Saturday.

"We've never had to do that before; This is a new experience for us, so it's going to be a learning experience, but hopefully we'll have enough time to prepare during the week," said Tihada, whose team will be flying out of Kahului and into Honolulu on Thanksgiving Day.

Both coaches got a chance to watch the other's team live Saturday, as well as on film Sunday.

"Offensively, they kind of know what they want to be on offense," Look said of the Lunas. "They've been running that system for many many years. Obviously, they've refined it and updated it as the years went on, but they rely on a lot of precise execution, misdirection, play-action (passes). Defensively, they're very aggressive, very active, they seem very athletic and they run to the ball very well. Just in general, Lahainaluna - all the years I've known them - they just have tough-nosed kids. They play hard, they never give up, so we're in for a good, tough game."

Tihada said the more he watched of the Raiders, the more he was impressed.

"I'm thinking 'oh my God,'" he said. "They were very efficient and they are obviously highly-intelligent football-wise. They're well-coached, they execute well, they're fundamentally sound ... honestly, I didn't see any flaws in their game."

Neither team is large by any means: Iolani lists 51 players on its roster - including just nine players over 200 pounds - while Lahainaluna's roster of 40 players has 13 who are 200 or more pounds. For both teams, the formula for success has been speed and execution.

"They're amazing," Tihada said of the nine-time reigning ILH champion Raiders. "They've never that big, but they're very disciplined and fundamentally-sound. They read their keys very well and they gameplan well against whoever they play."

Look's assessment of the Lunas was much the same.

"They're good size players," he said. "They're very sturdy, stout looking linemen. They're not overly big, but solid and look very athletic, so we're going to have to be able to handle their explosiveness there on both sides of the ball."

Iolani will rely on its senior quarterback Reece Foy, who has thrown for 2,311 passing yards with 30 touchdowns and only five interceptions. In the semifinal win over Radford, Foy was 13-of-17 passing for 215 yards with four scores and no picks in just one half of action.

"He's got nice size and he throws the ball well and runs the ball well," Tihada said of the third-year starter. "He's the total package. He reminds me of their quarterback the last time we played them, Kela Marciel, and like him, Foy's another great athlete."

The Raiders average nearly 35 points and 350 offensive yards (230.1 pass, 119.6 rush) per game. Tanner Nishioka (59 catches, 732 yards, 12 touchdowns), Chad Hanaoka (60-674-7), Chase Kanekuni (29-413-3) and Austin Ohira (28-253-2) have been Foy's favorite targets while Yuuya Kato (124 rushes, 729 yards, 11 touchdowns) is the primary running back.
"Offensively, they're very precise in everything they do - whether it's running or passing the ball," Tihada said. "That's the biggest thing. They're so well-coached that it's going to take a lot of find any weaknesses."

While the Raiders like to throw it around with Foy, the Lunas mostly will keep it on the ground and spread the workload between several running backs.

Semisi Filikitonga (67 rushes, 479 yards, 5 touchdowns), Kiko Kohler-Fonohema (87-433-8), Jared Rocha-Isalas (73-360-3) and Tytus Lucas (38-308-2) figure to get most of the carries, although Sione Filikitonga - who spent most of the season as the starting junior varsity quarterback - started and played most of the Lunas' semifinal win over Nanakuli over Kohler-Fonohema, who instead lined up at receiver and safety.

Lahainaluna averages over 32 points and 300 offensive yards (92.9 pass, 207.6 rush) per game. However, it has been the defense that has carried the Lunas all season. Opponents have averaged a meager 3.7 points and 82.8 yards (33.1 pass, 49.7 rush) against them through 10 games this year.

Hercules Mataafa anchors a sturdy defensive front that includes Samiuela Filiai and Pousima Galoia. Against Nanakuli, Mataafa notched four tackles, including one sack, and forced a fumble while Filiai had three stops and recovered a fumble.

"In every game - it doesn't matter who the opponent is - it always comes down to the battle in the trenches," Tihada said. "Whoever wins in the trenches, will probably win the game."

The Raiders also have a number of playmakers on defense in linebacker Josiah Situmeang and defensive back Max Look. Situmeang had a 45-yard pick-six and Look added a touchdown-saving interception near his own goal line in the win over Radford.

"I think everybody knows that we've got to play flawless," Tihada said. "We have to execute our gameplan and keep their offense off of the field, which will be a big challenge."

Look, anticipating as much from Lahainaluna, stressed the importance of every offensive drive and play.

"I think they're going to try and possess the ball with the run game, so our offensive possessions have to be quality ones and we have to take care of the ball," Look said. "If we take care of the ball, maximize the opportunities we have and then take advantage of the opportunities, I think we'll be OK."

Despite the rigors of traveling, Tihada said he expects last week's game to help with the nerves of playing in a state championship game.

"I think it was a great idea for us to play (at Aloha Stadium) in the semifinals," Tihada said. "I hope it helps as far as getting that "Oh wow" feeling of being in a bigger environment and stage out of our system."

Kickoff between the Raiders and Lunas is scheduled for 4 p.m.