Four D2 teams sit at 1-0 in the OIA standings heading into the weekend. Two of them — Waialua (2-0 overall, 1-0 league) and Pearl City (1-0, 1-0) will square off Saturday night. ScoringLive photo illustration

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There are four Division II teams that sit at 1-0 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association standings heading into the weekend. Two of them — Waialua (2-0 overall, 1-0 league) and Pearl City (1-0, 1-0) will square off Saturday night.

The Bulldogs moved into the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings for the first time in program history at No. 10 this week, while the Chargers ascended two spots to No. 8.

We caught up with the head coaches of both teams a few days before their clash.

ScoringLive: Describe your team's current situation in one word.

Lincoln Barit, Waialua coach: "Injuries. These past two games we've had a lot of injuries coming out."

Robin Kami, Pearl City coach: "Believing. We know we're young and we lost a lot of kids to graduation, but the new guys are stepping up and keeping the program where last year's seniors left for us so we're trying to ride the momentum."

SL: What have you learned about your team so far this season?

Barit: "What I learned about the team is that they have a positive attitude and they have good teamwork. I choose five leaders — I don't call them captains, they're leaders — and they should be leading the team and they've been leading them real good. The team is really family oriented."

Kami: "I've learned that our team has a lot of work to do and a lot to learn, but I like the attitude that we have. I like that the practice habits that they have carry over to the game. I told them how we practice is how we're going to play in the game. We practice at a high tempo and so when game time comes it's much easier for them."

SL: Has there been a player or position group that you would consider to be a pleasant surprise?

Barit: "We have our five leaders that are important and that's our quarterback Royce Tashiro, our running back Mila Lele, Brandon Lee, who is a linebacker, then a defensive lineman Aaron Nunes and Kaimi Kamai, who is our center and o-line leader. I kind of put them in leadership roles in certain positions. So far they've been doing real good, leading the team and making sure everyone is doing their jobs in the classroom."

Kami: "I think our offensive and defensive lines have been surprising to me because they're really young in that area and inexperienced, but they're doing a good job. It starts in the trenches and if we can control that we will be all right. If not, it's going to a long night and season."

SL: It seems like both teams' success offensively is predicated by their ability to run the ball. Who are some of the key cogs that make that happen for your team?

Barit: "Mila Lele. He's our running back and out go-to guy. Jacob Casey is a returnee from last year and then Branigan Lee is a big full back for us. That's the three guys we count on and go to."

Kami: "For us guys it starts with the linemen, and then we have a platoon running back system where they come in and out because we try to be fresh to run the ball. Joe (Maneafaiga) is a big help this year at running back. He's been reading his holes real good and following his blocks really well."

SL: It seems like there is a lot of parity in both the OIA D2 and on the statewide level this year. What are you thoughts on that?

Barit: "I think the two teams to beat in the OIA are Radford and Nanakuli. Kalaheo has a strong team with a new quarterback. To me, everybody is pretty even except for certain teams. For us, we're always going to be there, but we just take it one game at a time."

Kami: "I think for me, every year it's very competitive in D2 because everybody is just getting better and better every year. You can't take any game lightly. We take it week to week because everybody is real tough in our division, so we respect every team in the division and we treat every game like it's a championship game for us guys."

SL: What's your take on your opponent this week?

Barit: "They're well-coached. I've seen the game tape against Roosevelt. Their running back, Joe Maneafaiga, was (injured) last year, but he came back this year and he's looking strong, so I think we're going to have to stop him. They've always had top players anyway at Pearl City, so I think it'll be a good game."

Kami: "Waialua is real tough this year. Watching film on them, they have a good offensive scheme where they spread you out and they throw the ball really well and they have a good running game. Their defense is really aggressive. It should be a good game Saturday night. I expect a real hard-nosed football game between Waialua and Pearl City. Lincoln Barit does a great job of coaching his kids up. I respect him and his coaches a lot."

Kickoff between the Bulldogs and Chargers is set for 6 p.m. at Bino Nieves Stadium.