Kahuku's Toalei Lefau shakes off a tackle by Mililani's Darius Muasau in the 2017 OIA Division I championship game. Leighland Tagawa | SL

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The Red Raiders sing their alma mater in front of their home fans after a 41-28 win over Punahou on Aug. 11, 2018. Leighland Tagawa | SL

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Mililani QB Dillon Gabriel drops back to pass in the Trojans' 35-0 win over Waianae on Sept. 22, 2018. Eric Nakamura | Special to SL

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Home, sweet home.

No. 2 Kahuku will celebrate homecoming this weekend when No. 4 Mililani makes the trip up north to Carleton E. Weimer Field Saturday night in a rematch of last year's OIA Division I championship game.

The Red Raiders, who won the 2017 contest between the two squads, 35-31, have been nearly unbeatable at home in the last decade. Since dropping a 14-7 season-ending game to visiting Kapolei in 2007, Kahuku has rattled off 49 straight wins on its home field.

"There's no place like home," first-year Kahuku coach Sterling Carvalho said. "We're ready to play at home, especially it being a homecoming week. There's a lot of activities, a lot of hype going on in the community. We're excited to play at our home field in front of our home fans."

Mililani QB Dillon Gabriel drops back to pass in the Trojans' 35-0 win over Waianae on Sept. 22, 2018.

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_18092833__18092317_2Y3A1757.jpg - Eric Nakamura | Special to SL

As the Trojans continue to find pieces to fit the puzzle, they do have the frame of the picture in place with senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel at the controls. The Army-commit broke the state's all-time career passing yard record last week 362 passing yards to give him 8,329 yards - and counting.

"I think they really have the best QB in the state in Gabriel," Carvalho said. "It's going to be a chess match all night, having the best quarterback in the state on that Mililani team, and having a well-coached staff with coach York. We're expecting a great battle this weekend."

York also spoke highly of the Red Raiders' offense, giving praise especially to their offensive line and fullback Toalei Lefau.

"I'm looking at Kahuku's O-line and I have them right up there with (St. Joh) Boscoe pretty much. They're physical and aggressive, and what they do well is they double to the backers very well.

"To me, their best blocker is not on the O-line, but their best blocker is No. 44 (Lefau) at full back. You got him coming in and literally bulldozing guys, and makes it easy for the running backs to find holes. Their runners do a good job moving to their feet and going to the open area."

Kickoff is slated for approximately 6:30 p.m.