Piloting the Kapaa offense is first-year starting quarterback Rudy Agoot. The 6-foot, 195-lb senior runs the read-option well (344 yards, four touchdowns) and is the only starting quarterback in the state tournament that has yet to throw an interception. Manuel Henriques | Special to SL

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The battle at Vidinha Stadium this weekend will feature a pair of teams that have recently been on the upswing.

Kapaa (6-1), the Kauai Interscholastic Federation champion, is making its second appearance in the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Football State Championships while Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II runner-up Pearl City (8-2) is making its third. The two teams' first appearance in the tournament was against each other in 2011.

"It feels real good. I'm excited but yet at the same time humbled to be here," said first year Kapaa coach Phillip Rapozo, whose team is ranked third in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings.

After losing on a last second touchdown to top-ranked Lahainaluna in the preseason, Rapozo's team has rattled of six straight wins to go undefeated in league play. The unblemished mark in the KIF rivals the success that former league champion and Division II runner-up Kauai had in 2013. Kauai's run in the state tournament last season influenced the peformance of the Warriors' this year.

"If you look back at our games against Kauai High (last year), the scores were 6-3, 7-6 and 6-3. It was really close but unfortunately they won all three," said Rapozo. "We felt like if we had the opportunity, we would be there also. We were able to feed off of that and get to the state tournament this year."

A lot of the Warriors success can be attributed to their performance on the defensive side of the ball. Under former UH defensive back and Kauai assistant Mike Tresler, the Kapaa defense has posted three shutouts and has held opponents to under six points per game. 

"We're a different team on defense. "We were good last year but I think we're better this year. We fly around a lot and have a high intensity," Rapozo said on his defense. 

The strength of the Kapaa defense lies in its linebacker corps. Austyne Carvalho-Toloai and Mosese Fifita mans the middle while Brooks Bethel and John Levinthol patrols the perimeter. 

Offensively Kapaa employs an up-tempo spread offense that prefers to keep things grounded. With four-year varsity starter Maka Ah Loo anchoring the offensive line, the Warriors have averaged 235.1 rushing yards per game, good for second best in Division II. 

At the running back position Kapaa has three able backs that each brings a different element to the offense. The trio of Elijah Gouveia-McCarthy (5.0 yards per carry), Kekoa Kaluahine-Cacal (5.8 yards per carry), and Shain Davis (6.6 yards per carry) has contributed 1070 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground this year. Davis also leads the team in receiving with 21 receptions for 331 yards and two touchdowns.

"Elijah runs really well between the tackles, he hits the holes fast. Kekoa is more of the power runner. He has good speed but he's more of the power guy. Shain is just versatile. He's a really good runner. He's got good speed and he catches the ball very well. We're very fortunate to have three running backs that we can count on," said Rapozo. 

Piloting the Kapaa offense is first-year starting quarterback Rudy Agoot. The 6-foot, 195-lb senior runs the read-option well (344 yards, four touchdowns) and is the only starting quarterback in the state tournament that has yet to throw an interception.

For Pearl City, playing in the state tournament is a chance to put its 37-36, overtime loss to Nanakuli in the OIA Division II title game in the rear view mirror. 

"It's a plus for our program that we made states again," said Pearl City coach Robin Kami. "It's a big plus because now we have a second chance, a second life. A lot of teams wish they were in our position to still be playing. At least right now, whatever happened in the OIA championship is done. We got to move on. Everyone is back to 0-0 in wins and losses." 

Pearl City's trip to the state tournament this year will be the Chargers' third in the last four years. All three trips have forced the Chargers to travel to the Garden Isle to take on the KIF champion. Coach Kami is hoping the experience on the road will pay dividends in his team's upcoming contest.

"Last year it helped with the underclassmen that played last year. Hopefully they'll be more comfortable this year playing in Kauai," said Kami. "They know how the field is, the environment and the feeling. Our kids are used to the flying already."

One Charger to watch for in Saturday's matchup is second-year starting quarterback Jordan Taamu. The 6-foot-2 senior's ability to extend plays has him ranked amongst the top Division II passers. Taamu is ranked first in touchdowns thrown (26), second in completion percentage (61.7) and third in total yards (1523). 

"It's a big plus because he knows the offense in the back of his head and in the back of his hands already. He knows all the reads and he has the green light if he wants to run or pass," Kami said on Taamu. 

Another weapon that Pearl City can deploy is the versatile Dominic Maneafaiga. Maneafaiga has totaled 680 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, 518 yards and nine touchdowns through the air and also has returned three kicks for scores. 

Anchoring the Chargers' defense is defensive tackles Pjay Solomon and Jackson Fuamatu. Solomon is a Division I qualifier while Fuamatu is coming of a 12 tackle performance in the OIA Division II title game. Having those two in the trenches allows other players to make plays on defense.

"Those two guys do a job. They always get double teamed every game. It's a plus because then are linebackers are able to come in and make plays," said Kami. "Every game you'll see one person step up and have a big game. Every game you see someone else new stepping up because it's a whole rounded defense."

It is also worth noting that both coaches have had coaching experience in the junior varsity level first before making the jump to varsity. Rapozo was the Kapaa JV coach in 2010 and 2012-2013. Kami was the Pearl City JV coach from 2006-2008 and 2013.

The winner will move on to face seven-time Division II state champion Iolani (6-3) next week in a 3 p.m. semifinal game at Eddie Hamada Track and Field/Kozuki Stadium on Nov. 15.