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The Kalaheo and Kaimuki football teams have endured some tough losses throughout the season.

The Mustangs have been blown out in three Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II contests while the Bulldogs suffered a four-point loss to Kalani and a 49-18 drubbing to non-league opponent Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas).

With only four playoff spots available for the eight teams in the division, any additional loss suffered by either team would make a trip to the postseason that much harder.

We caught up with the coaches of both teams a few days before their showdown this Saturday.

ScoringLive: What have you learned about your team so far?
Darrell Poole, Kalaheo coach: "That despite our low numbers — such as seven linemen — my team believes that staying together as a family is important and that no matter what, they will make sure they practice hard and be ready to do battle side by side come game day."
David Tautofi, Kaimuki coach: "What I've learned so far about this team is that they are warriors at heart and when their backs against the wall, they fight and fight for each other with a purpose."

ScoringLive: What are some of the difficulties your team has gone through this season?
Poole: "Some of the challenges we have had this season is not having enough linemen to really get some good looks during our practices. We have also been inconsistent on offense and defense. During games, turnovers and mistakes have been our Achilles' heel."
Tautofi: "We've had our share of difficulties so far this season and I'd have to say the biggest challenge we've faced and are still working through is who we are as a team. It's not that it's a negative thing we're going through, but one that will help establish us as a team and as a program in the years to come. We're so young and talented in every area that it comes down to leadership and finding the leaders of tomorrow. The future is bright for these kids. As individuals and as a team they have made huge steps in the right direction. They're not far off from where they should be at this point, but I like the characteristics and the make-up of what this team is growing to become."

ScoringLive: Who has been an unsung hero for your squad?
Poole: "The unsung heroes I have has been my quarterback Mark Lehner with his passing and scrambling ability to make things happen on offense. His go-to guys are Tristan Thuin-Marsh and Justice Neufeldt, who both play offense and defense and have been major contributors on both sides of the ball. Last, but not least our linemen, which we only have seven guys up front and play both ways and never give up."
Tautofi: "It's hard to point out just one player as the unsung hero because several have stepped up and played big roles. Many big time players are underclassmen that have jumped out on the scene and have had big time performances for us in the crucial games we've played so far. But it's been the heart of the team beating within these players that have made the team the true unsung hero thus far."

ScoringLive: How close is your team to playing to its potential?
Poole: "We have the potential to be one of the contenders in the division. We as a team just need to cut down on our turnovers and play mistake-free football. If we can do that then we can compete with any team in our division."
Tautofi: "I've never been one to settle for just enough or good enough so my expectations are always high for our team. We aren't close to playing to our potential, but we aren't too far from it either. I think this team is right where we are supposed to be and only time can reveal. We'll be even closer to playing the kind of football I know this team is capable of by the end of the regular season."

ScoringLive: What's your take on this week's opponent?
Poole: "Kaimuki has size on the line and a quarterback who is a dual-threat in passing and running. They are a well-coached team and I know Kaimuki will be ready to do battle come Saturday night. This game has playoff implications for us, so we need to be sure we are ready to come away with a win to keep our playoff hopes alive."
Tautofi: "Kalaheo is tough. They've got some weapons on their team that could easily dismantle any coach's game plan if you didn't prepare well enough for them. They've also got a quarterback that isn't afraid to challenge your defense and does very well in extending plays and making things happen. I don't expect this game to be an easy one at all. As we've experienced so far this season, every team we face will not only be an opportunity, but will be a scrappy game that goes down to the wire. That's what I'm expecting."

ScoringLive: Which player or position group needs to play well Saturday?
Poole: "We need to have great plays from our playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. On the defensive side we need to create turnovers and play mistake free football to come out on top."
Tautofi: "Our offense in general will need to construct drives that put us into a position to put some points up one way or the other. It's been unusually different, but there's so much talent across the board on offense. Our quarterbacks will need to play their best game yet and our offensive line will have to play their toughest and scrappiest game. In the end, all I truly expect from this team is 100 percent effort, nothing less. A lot can happen if your team can produce that type of effort."

Kickoff between the Mustangs and Bulldogs is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Kailua's Alex Kane Stadium.