Leilehua's Jayzon Ramos and the Mules travel to take on Hilo's Kainalu Lewis and the Vikings Saturday night. Michael Lasquero | SL

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First stop Maui, next stop Hilo.

Ninth-ranked Leilehua continues to rack up the airline miles and travels for a second week in a row, this time to take on top-seeded and No. 5 Hilo in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships Division I semifinals at Wong Stadium Saturday.

The last time the two teams faced off was in the 2016 quarterfinal round with the Mules narrowly escaping, 26-25.

Leilehua is coming off a 34-7 opening round win over fourth-seeded Baldwin. The Mules scored first before the Bears tied it up at 7 with a 63-yard touchdown pass from Laa Asuega-Stark to Kapena Kamai, but it was all Leilehua from there as the Mules scored 27-unanswered points that was ignited by Kalei Akagi's 91-yard return on the ensuing kickoff.

Julyan Mebane had five tackles, two for loss, sparked the Mules' defense that held the Bears to 231 yards of total offense with a 85-yard interception return for touchdown.

The Mules had 245 net rushing yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry led by Jamil Vereen, who had 28 carries and 174 yards on the ground and scored the final touchdown of the night.

Leilehua lost one of their four fumbles in the game and was 5 of 11 on third down conversions.

Standing in the Mules' way of reaching the title game for the first time since 2008 is the seven-time defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation champions.

Hilo won their seventh-straight league title in dominating fashion this season wiping out opponents by an average margin of 50 points to claim the tournament's top seed. The offense averaged 55.4 points per game and had a historic 104-0 beatdown over Waiakea on Sept. 7. A new home and away format in the BIIF gave the Vikings little time to relax during a 12-0 campaign.

"We played 12 straight weeks without byes and no down time. It's tough at times. The players responded and prepared each week. It was a busy schedule, but worked itself out. Right now we're a healthy squad," Hilo coach Kaeo Drummondo said of taking advantage of 21 days of rest.

Veteran quarterback Kyan Miyasato is second in Division I overall in passing with 2,578 yards, 42 touchdowns and only three interceptions on the season.

"He's developed great and there's no substitution for experience, him being with the program for four years. His poise and maturity gotten better and understanding of what we want him to do and how we want him to distribute the ball has gotten better. He's taken upon himself to wanting to learn and it's gone a long way in terms of execution," Drummondo said of Miyasato.

Kyler Aguiar has 733 receiving yards and 10 TDs to lead a potent receiving corp and Kaimi Tiogangco has nine TDs and Guyson Ogata with eight TDs.

Lyle Silva leads the team in rushing with 498 rushing yards and eight TDs.

Kilohana Haasenritter, a transfer from KS-Hawaii, is another playmaker that is dangerous in space and it's shown with six receiving TDs and 11 rushing scores with his first season with the Vikings.

"He's so versatile, we use him all over the place," Drummondo said of Haasenritter. "We use him out wide, in the slot, at the wing, and at running back. That's offensively. Defensively, he comes in at corner and started both ways for us. He's been a great addition for us and it's great to add dynamic playmakers."

Hilo's defense has only allowed 5.2 points per game and held opposing BIIF offenses to 74.1 yards per game. Elijah Apao (DB), Kalen White (LB), Kainalu Lewis (LB), Tysen Kaniaupio (DL) lead a seasoned and experienced unit.

"They're a prideful and an experience group. They take pride in wanting to execute and play for each other. It's one of those things where we knew coming into this year with this particular group that most of the kids last year were coming back. It's a matter of getting better with technique and scheme," Drummondo said of the defense pitching seven shutouts this season.

The Vikings are seeking to return to title game for the third year in a row. Hilo won their first state title in 2017 over Damien, 35-19, but lost to Waipahu, 42-22, last season.

Kickoff is set at about 7 p.m.