Kamehameha-Hawaii wide receiver Bayley Manliguis and Lahainaluna quarterback Makoa Filikitonga will face-off in the Division II semifinals at War Memorial Stadium Saturday. Brien Ing | SL

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In football, like many things in life, timing is of the utmost importance.

Peaking at the right time is critical in any championship run, but Kamehameha-Hawaii coach Dan Lyons isn't thinking about anything beyond Saturday. That's when his sixth-ranked Warriors have a date with top-ranked Lahainaluna with a spot in the state final on the line.

The game will be one of two semifinals that day in the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II State Championships. Kickoff between Kamehameha-Hawaii (8-2) and Lahainaluna (9-0) is set for 6 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

Third-ranked Kapaa (7-1) visits Kozuki Stadium for a showdown against No. 2 Iolani (6-3) in the other semifinal Saturday.

"The defense has been playing well, the offense has been playing well, but we still don't feel like we've put it together every week," Lyons said of his team. "We feel like we're getting better every week."

The Warriors captured their first Big Island Interscholastic Federation title since 2010 this year. They have won their last five games, including a 42-20 win over Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Nanakuli in a first-round game Saturday.

It was just the third win by a BIIF school in the 12-year history of the D2 state tournament. Lyons, who has coached games from the press box this season and calls the offense, credits the players and their efforts.

"It's nice that we've been able to put up a number of points in the last couple of games," Lyons said. "The defense has been putting us in great position, but the other thing is the guys are just ballers and they're going to make plays. I just try to get out the way and let them make plays."

Led by third-year starting quarterback Micah Kanehailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii is averaging more than 35 points and 317 yards per game offensively. During its current win streak, it is averaging 45.2 points scored and winning by an average margin of 30.4 points per game. The last three games — all elimination games — have seen the Warriors overcome some wet weather.

"Despite the weather, we've had decent ball security," Lyons said. "We've been able to avoid turning it over much and even when we had bad breaks the ball has bounced in our direction and that's nice. Right now it's clicking and thing are bouncing our way."

Kanehailua threw three touchdown passes — two to wide receiver Bayley Manliguis — and running back Kaeo Batacan ran in two other scores against Nanakuli last week. However, another wideout, Alapaki Iaea — who has caught a team-high nine touchdown passes — was injured early in the game and could limit his availability against Lahainaluna.

"We'll probably limit him to defensive snaps and move (6-foot-1, 185-pound) Preston Kalai into his position and he's another dynamic player, so we will still have speed," Lyons said.

The Warriors utilize a no-huddle spread offense with Kanehailua in the shotgun and a either Batacan or Chase Peneku beside him at running back.

"The sole reason we run the offense that we run is to get the ball to our skill guys," Lyons said. "I don't think we've done it perfectly yet — whether it's the play calling or whatever, it hasn't clicked yet — (but) Saturday night would be an awesome time to do that."

They'll have to contend with a Lahainaluna defense that has given up a total of just 58 points (6.4 per game) and has shutout an opponent on three different occasions. Only twice have the Lunas surrendered more than 7 points in a single game.

"They're very well coached, they're not going to make mistakes and there's a reason why they're ranked No. 1. It's a great challenge for us and it's going to be a great measuring stick for our program."

The Lunas received a first-round bye last weekend, which allowed the coaching staff to get a first-hand look at the Warriors in action.

"I was very impressed with their size and quickness," Lahainaluna co-head coach Garret Tihada said of Kamehameha-Hawaii. "They're a big bunch of kids, both offensively and defensively. It's hard to tell how strong they are, but they're not like big and sloppy. They're a good-looking team."

Tihada is hoping the extended time off will prove to be beneficial and not detrimental for his team.

"You really don't know how it affects them until the game comes," Tihada said. "You always feel like it benefits you, because you get a chance to watch other teams battle and you get to rest up a little bit, but you never know from team to team. Some teams might take advantage of that long break and some teams need to be playing games, so we'll find out Saturday."

Offensively, running back Jared Rocha-Islas (606 rush yards, 8 touchdowns, 7.6 yards per carry) leads the Lunas' Wing-T rushing attack. Quarterback Makoa Filikitonga-Lukela (494 rush yards, 9 TDs, 6.4 ypc) ranks fifth in MIL rushing yards and third in passing yardage (583 yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs).

"You've always got to rely on the guys on the line, both offensively and defensively, and whoever wins that battle is going to win the game no matter who you play," Tihada said. "Of course, our quarterback has to make sure he takes care of the ball and manages the game well. I think that's the key areas. Everything else I think is pretty even."

Since a season-opening 18-16 road win over Kapaa — which required a last-second Filikitonga-Lukea touchdown run — Lahainaluna has gone largely unchallenged outside of a 14-0 win over Maui.

"You always want competition throughout the year to see how we respond, but it is what it is," Tihada said. "We cannot do anything about the schedule or the teams that we play. Of course, if we had a choice, we'd want a few more close games just to get ourselves ready."

Tihada said his team has seen "little improvement" since the start of the season, but attributes that to his 23 seniors listed on the roster.

"We have so many veterans that the amount of improvement is not much, because they've been with us for a while," Tihada said. "Hopefully that senior leadership will translate well for us in the state tournament."

The Lunas, who are 4-9 all time in state tournament games, are looking to return to the championship game for the third time in school history. They reached the title game in 2007 and 2010, but lost to Iolani both times. They were also the top seed last year, but lost to eventual-champion Kaiser in the semifinal round.