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For Kale Ane and the third-ranked Punahou football team, another week brings another opportunity. No matter who the opponent is.

That's the way the third-ranked Buffanblu are approaching Thursday's key Interscholastic League of Honolulu showdown against No. 2 Saint Louis at Aloha Stadium.

Punahou brings a 4-1 overall record and 3-1 mark in the ILH against the unbeaten Crusaders (5-0, 4-0). It's one of just two games left in the ILH regular season for each team — not that it's of much concern at this point to Ane.

"To borrow a line from (former Indianapolis Colts coach) Jim Mora, ‘playoffs?' That's what I feel like now," Ane said. "We're just trying to get better than the last time we played (Saint Louis). It was a fun game to be a part of, but it was also tough. Saint Louis played really, really well. It's going to be very challenging once again and we're hoping for a different ending this time."

The last time the teams met the Crusaders rallied from a 13-0 first-quarter deficit with 36 straight points in the second half to pull away, 64-44. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa posted video game-like numbers, throwing for 447 yards and six touchdowns on 31-of-42 passing without an interception. He also rushed 15 times for 104 yards and three more scores.

"He's really amazing," Saint Louis coach Cal Lee said. "He's a leader on and off the field. He's humble, he does all the things that you want him to do and more. He's very likable and humble and I don't think anybody has gotten the kind of publicity in all the years I know, but he's fun to be around."

Overshadowed by Tagovailoa's stellar performance was that of Nick Kapule. The Punahou signal-caller posted a career-best 495 passing yards on 30-of-59 passing with five TDs and one interception.

"I think he's a really a great one and I see him getting better and better every week," Lee said. "He showed me a lot, that not only can he throw the ball but he can run a little bit too. He's good football player. They've done good job coaching him up. The second part of it is he's got real good receivers, a great receiving corps. They run good routes and he's accurate on the passes. I kind of like watching them, just not when I play them. "

For the season, Kapule has 1,557 passing yards and 21 TDs to 2 INTs with a completion percentage of 58.3.

"We've very pleased with the way he's been playing and everything that goes with that position: leadership, emotion, passion, preparation, everything that goes into not just being great quarterback, but a great leader," Ane said. "He's been able to accomplish all those things and perform, which is awesome. He knows it's a big game but it's not just him; we have to block, not turnover the ball over — we almost have to play a perfect game to get outcome that we'd like. That's something you always strive for. I think they're focused and ready to go."

The teams combined for 1,131 yards of total offense and 14 touchdowns between them three weeks ago.

"I'd like to see some defense," Ane joked. "Our kids are trying hard and they made mistakes, but they never hung their heads. I think it helps to emphasize the little things you need to do: can't slack, have to run, have to get off blocks. We try to show them things correctable, not something that they physically can't do."

Lee said defense has been a big part of the Crusaders' preparation as well.

"They throw the ball, so we've got to work on pass coverages and that's all you can do, it's no big secret," Lee said. "You work on the things you need to work on to do the things to win, so we've been working on our pass coverage and trying to get better and trying not to give up the big plays."

For both Lee and Ane, the approach this week is much like that for any other opponent.

"It's not who you play, it's how you play," Lee said. "You want consistency. We're going up against a team that can score points. They're a good football team, there's no doubt about that. We have to get better and not make mistakes to give ourselves a chance to win."

Ane had much of the same to say.

"I think you always use opportunities to get better," he said. "I think this is an opportunity and although you'd like to throw out the film from the last game, but we're playing them again so you have to look at things, see what you can break down in order to perform better. We have to make adjustments. We can't be stubborn and we have to use this opportunity to get better and put the kids in a position where they can be successful."

Kickoff between the Buffanblu and Crusaders is set for 6 p.m.