Kapolei quarterback Panaewa Julius throws a pass downfield against Mililani on August 30, 2014. The Hurricanes are looking to stop a three-game slide with a win over Na Menehune Friday. Jim Lebeau | Special to SL

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There will be no lack of familiarity when No. 9 Kapolei visits unranked Moanalua in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Red game Friday night.

It was just a few months ago that the coaches for the opposing teams were on the same Hurricanes' staff. Prior to landing his first-head coaching gig, Jason Cauley served under Darren Hernandez as his offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Cauley served in the same position at Moanalua under his predecessor, Arnold Martinez, before his stint at Kapolei.

"I was coaching these same guys at Kapolei up until April when I got the job here, so it wasn't too long ago that I was on their side," Cauley said. "I root for them every week except for this week, but I have nothing but love for them and it's going to be great to see them. It's going to make it very interesting."

The connections between the programs go beyond Cauley, an Alabama native. Defensive coordinator Mika Kane, a former Kamehameha and UC Berkeley standout, was Kapolei's defensive line coach the past two seasons. Furthermore, starting quarterback Kawika Keama-Jacobe was one of three current-starters in the OIA with the Hurricanes for Spring ball before transferring to Moanalua over the summer.

Ezra Savea, then a freshman, and Alton "Panaewa" Julius, a senior-to-be, were the other two auditioning to succeed two-year starter Aizon Kahana.

"We had a three-quarterback derby going at practice everyday," Hernandez said.

Savea transferred to Campbell and is now the starter there. Keama-Jacobe, who played at Waianae in the Fall of 2013, took off for Moanalua, where he already has a 500-yard passing game to his credit.

"When Alton started to distance himself from the pack a little bit, the other two guys weren't at where they wanted to play, I guess, so I think the thing is Jason and Mika know our personnel and they know all about our team," Hernandez said. "They know our kids, our strengths and weaknesses, but we don't know about their team. We know their schemes and packages, but we don't know their kids like how they know ours."

Keama-Jacobe, a senior, ranks second in D1 with 865 passing yards. He has completed 54 of 100 pass attempts with six touchdowns and four interceptions. Junior running back Michael Feliciano has a team-high 110 rushing yards (3.4 per rush) and ranks second on the team in receiving yards. Senior wide receiver Karson Cruz caught 10 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns against Farrington last week.

"Their speed and their passing game worries me," Hernandez said of Na Menehune. "Their quarterback's ability to scramble and throw on the run, too. He can really make plays because he's a very dangerous runner. He's got that quick release, too. He's just a great player."

Cauley also had high praise for Julius, who played mostly at receiver the past two seasons.

"We brought Alton Julius up to the varsity as a sophomore and I love that kid to death. I saw him grow in the past three years," said Cauley. "I call that kid the Hawaiian Hulk because of his physique and how he's build. He should be a solo flex model if they still have that, but he's a tremendous athlete."

Julius has thrown for 347 yards with six touchdowns against two interceptions, but has completed just 46.2 percent of his passes. Senior running back Trensten Spragling has a team-high 149 rushing yards (4.8 per rush) and senior wide receiver Edward "Naliko" Kea has 13 receptions for 153 yards with three touchdowns — all team-high marks.

After facing defensive coordinator Brad Hewahewa's defense each day in practice the last two years, Cauley knows all about their personnel.

"They return a very experienced secondary with Tristan Centeio, Bryson Hughes, Malik Smith and Keoni Taylor back there, but they also have Iakona Meyers who was hurt last week and didn't play," said Cauley, who attends the same church as Hewahewa. "They have probably the best linebacking corps in the OIA with Sam Naulu and Ronald Matautia. When they bring pressure, you better stand your ground because they will run over you to get to the quarterback. At this point, we're going to have to protect our quarterback as much as possible, that's the only way we can win this ball game."

Despite their friendship, both coaches said the usual communication between them has ceased this week.

"We're still close friends, but it's funny because when we have close friends who coach, we don't happen to text the week we're playing each other; It's kind of an unwritten rule," Hernandez said.

Cauley stopped short of saying he circled the date of the game on his calendar, but did admit it has a little extra luster surrounding it.

"Every game is as important as the next game, but my love for the guys on the other sideline is what makes this one special," Cauley said. "It'll be real special to compete, not only against Darren, but also the other guys that I coached with the past two years."

Kickoff between the Hurricanes and Na Menehune will be 25 minutes after the conclusion of the 6 p.m. junior varsity game.

Other games of interest this weekend:
-Kamehameha-Hawaii vs. Hilo, 7 p.m. Friday at Francis Wong Stadium
The Warriors (1-0) are ranked fifth in the SL/OC16 D2 Football Power Rankings and are coming off a 20-6 win at three-time D2 league-champion Konawaena. The Vikings (2-0, 1-0 BIIF) are the reigning D1 league champions.

-Kalani at Roosevelt, 8 p.m. Friday
The Falcons (2-1) rebounded from a 6-3 loss to to Kalaheo with a 54-6 rout of Anuenue last week and sit in fourth place in the division. The Rough Riders (0-3) are one of two winless OIA D2 teams remaining.

-Aiea at No. 6 Farrington, 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium
Na Alii (1-1) are coming off a 25-14 win at Kailua, but face a stern test against the fifth-ranked Governors (3-0) and their prolific running back Ranan Mamiya, who has a state-best eight rushing touchdowns.