Kamehameha's defense will look to slow down the Punahou running game led by senior Steven Lakalaka. ScoringLive file photo

Purchase image 1 of 1

The playoffs kick off for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Friday night, but the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's doubleheader Saturday will undoubtedly have a similar postseason feeling in the air.

In the early game at Aloha Stadium, 'Iolani will meet Pac-Five at 4:30 p.m. in a matchup of the top two teams in the ILH's Division II race. In the nightcap, No. 4 Punahou puts its seven-game win streak on the line against sixth-ranked Kamehameha. Both 'Iolani and Punahou can punch its ticket to the state tournament with a win.

Meanwhile, the entire Big Island Interscholastic Federation will be in action this weekend, highlighted by Saturday's clash between Division II co-leaders, Kamehameha-Hawaii and Konawaena. Also, No. 7 Baldwin can wrap up the Maui Interscholastic League Division I crown with a win over King Kekaulike Friday night.

INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU

'Iolani vs. Pac-Five, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. at Aloha Stadium

Just one game separates the Raiders (4-4 overall, 2-3 ILH) and the Wolf Pack (4-4, 1-4) in the league's Division II standings with two games to play. 'Iolani, the reigning four-time state champion, dropped out of the ScoringLive/OC16 Football Power Rankings this week, after being pummeled, 55-14, by Kamehameha Saturday. The Raiders' last win came against Pac-Five back on Sept. 16 at Aloha Stadium. The Wolf Pack outgained 'Iolani in that game, 211 yards of offense to just 129, but committed five turnovers in the loss. K Jordan Lee made field goals of 28 and 32 yards for the Raiders, whose only other score came on a TD pass from QB Reece Foy (1,620 pass yards, 12 TDs, 11 INTs) to WR Sheldon Gallarde. In a 34-13 win over Damien two weeks ago, Wolf Pack RB Keoni Tom-Millare carried the ball 18 times for 238 yards and five TDs.


No. 4 Punahou vs. No. 6 Kamehameha, Saturday, 7 p.m. at Aloha Stadium

Just two weeks ago, these two teams did battle with the Buffanblu coming away from Aloha Stadium with a 17-14 win. RB Steven Lakalaka ran for 151 yards and two TDs in the win for Punahou (8-1, 5-0), which is ranked fourth in the ScoringLive/OC16 Football Power Rankings.

A win Saturday means the Buffanblu clinch the ILH Division I title and the league's lone berth into the HHSAA state tournament. A victory for sixth-ranked Kamehameha (5-3, 4-1) would put both teams at 5-1, with each loss against each other.

If the Warriors win Saturday, Saint Louis (6-2, 3-2) could throw another wrench into the equation if it can run the table. If the Crusaders, who have a bye this week, can beat Kamehameha and Punahou in their final two games, all three teams would finish with a 4-2 record in the ILH, with each team beating the other two.

The Buffanblu have relied on Lakalaka, a 5-foot-10, 205-pound senior, and their defense to lead the way. Punahou is 8-0 in games that Lakalaka has played in this season. He is averaging 5.5 yards per rush with eight TDs and ranks third amongst all Division I rushers with 699 yards. QB Larry Tuileta, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, has thrown for 888 yards with 11 TDs against 6 INTs while completing 55.2 percent of his passes. WR Malik Johnson ranks fifth amongst ILH receivers with 15 catches for 204 yards and three TDs in five league games.

Meanwhile, the Buffanblu defense allows opponents an average of 246.1 offensive yards, but just 6.7 points per game. Defensive end DeForest Buckner, linebacker Zachary Hernandez, rover Isaac Savaiinaea and defensive backs Ka'aha McAfee-Torco and Jordan Hirai have been steady for the Puns all year. In a 35-0 shutout of Pac-Five Saturday, the Buffanblu limited the Wolf Pack to just 124 yards of total offense. Pac-Five attempted four passes, completed one (for two yards) and had two others intercepted. K Christian Fairbairn is second on the team with 53 points scored, behind only Lakalaka (54).

In the first meeting on Oct. 1, Kamehameha turned it over on fumbles on its first three drives of the game and fell in a 7-0 hole as a result. A fourth fumble - on the Warriors' first second-drive possession - resulted in a 50-yard Fairbairn field goal. Despite outgaining the Buffanblu, 297 to 187 offensive yards, Kamehameha struggled to finish drives and got into the red zone just once, resulting in a 5-yard TD run by Tyler Meditz, who finished with 71 rushing yards on 17 carries.

The QB duo of Nephi Stevens (52.7 completion percentage, 3 TDs, 1 INT) and Makoa Camanse-Stevens (52.5 percent, 5 TDs, 5 INTs) have combined for 1,196 pass yards. WR Alii Pedrina (23.1 yards per catch) has emerged as the Warriors' top pass catcher. He caught six passes for a game-high 158 yards, including a 75-yard TD pass from Camanse-Stevens, in a 55-14 win at 'Iolani Saturday.

Kamehameha's defense has allowed more than 21 points in a game just once this season - a season-opening 26-21 loss to Farrington. The Warriors' three losses have come by a combined 18 points and opponents are averaging just 14.0 points per game against them. LB Kory Rasmussen registered a sack and picked off two passes for Kamehameha in the earlier meeting of the teams.


BIG ISLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION

Kea'au vs. Hilo, Friday, 7 p.m. at Francis Wong Stadium

The Cougars (2-5 overall, 2-2 BIIF), who are coming off a bye, would like to keep the momentum going from their 29-28 win over Waiakea two weeks ago. QB George Lucas-Tadeo threw two TD passes and RB Jesse Vance ran for 112 yards and another score in he win. The last-place Vikings (0-7, 0-4) have been woeful at best, having scored just 39 points all season while opponents have scored 232 against them. Hilo has been shutout in three times on the season, including its last two games.

Ka'u at Hawaii Prep, Saturday, 1 p.m.

This is essentially a must-win game for Ka Makani (5-3, 4-2) to keep pace with Kamehameha-Hawaii and Konawaena in the BIIF Division II race. HPA won the first meeting back on Sept. 10 by a score of 55-8, which was the start of a four-game winning streak before Friday's 21-14 loss at Konawaena. The Trojans (1-5, 1-4), who were blown out, 48-6, by Honoka'a Friday, have scored just 36 points this year against 264 allowed.

Honoka'a at Kohala, Saturday, 2 p.m.

The schools from neighboring towns will renew their rivalry in a Saturday afternoon affair. Last time these teams met, the Dragons (4-5, 2-3) took it to the Cowboys (0-6), 66-24. In the win, RB Hao Faumuina ran wild for 321 yards and six TDs on 22 carries. Honoka'a snapped a three-game losing skid with its 48-6 win at Ka'u Friday. Kohala, which lost at Kamehameha-Hawaii, 43-6, Friday, plays its next two games on the road.

Kealakehe vs. Waiakea, Saturday, 3 p.m. at Francis Wong Stadium

The first-place Waveriders (6-1, 4-0) have won their last five games and have outscored its opponents during that stretch, 258 to 23. QB Tyler Yates has thrown for a league-high 827 yards and nine TDs in league games. UCLA-bound RB Psalm Wooching has scored seven rushing TDs and averages 8.7 yards per carry. The Warriors (3-3, 2-2) have a prominent RB of its own in Nu'u Aiava (8.1 yards per rush, 7 TDs).

Kamehameha-Hawaii at Konawaena, Saturday, 7 p.m.

The Warriors (8-1, 5-1) and Wildcats (7-1, 5-1) are tied atop the BIIF's Division II standings heading into Saturday's showdown in Kona. Kamehameha-Hawaii rebounded from its lone loss of the year (27-24 at Hawaii Prep) two weeks ago with a 43-6 rout of Kohala Friday. In the win, QB Warner Shaw threw four TD passes, two to WR Kaenan Akau. Konawaena had to rally from a 14-0 halftime deficit to beat HPA Friday. RB Makana Canda had two rushing TDs, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter.


MAUI INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE

King Kekaulike vs. No. 7 Baldwin, Friday, 7 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium

A win for the Bears (5-1 overall, 5-0 MIL) means they clinch the MIL Division I title and a berth into the 6-team HHSAA state tournament with two games remaining. Baldwin, which has won five straight since a season-opening loss to Edison (Calif.), has been nothing short of dominant. Offensively, the Bears average 341.5 yards and 34.8 points per game, while allowing opponents 168.8 yards and 13.8 points. Na Alii (1-5, 1-4) are losers of their last two games.

Lahainaluna vs. Kamehameha-Maui, Saturday, 7 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium

The only Division II teams on the Valley Isle will meet for the second time in three weeks at Wailuku's War Memorial Stadium Saturday night. The Lunas (4-2, 3-1) won the first meeting, 21-7, back on Sept. 24. QB Kiko Kohler-Fonohema threw a TD pass and ran in another score in the win. The Warriors (1-5, 1-4) have lost their last three games by a combined 95 points to 36, but played league-leader Baldwin tough in a 33-22 loss Friday.


KAUAI INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION

Kauai vs. Waimea, Saturday, 3 p.m. at Hanapepe Ballpark

The Red Raiders (1-4 overall, 0-3 KIF) face a must-win game against the Menehunes (5-1, 3-1) if they are to remain in contention for a league title. Since a 27-0 non-league win at King Kekaulike back in week two, Kauai has scored just 21 points in three losses, despite averaging over 280 offensive yards. Waimea, which has won its last two games, is coming off a bye last week. RB Devan Banasihan Kenney (5.2 yards per carry, 4 TDs) leads the Menehunes in scoring with 38 points.