Running backs Shain Davis (left) and KJ Pascua (right) lead their respective teams' rushing attacks. ScoringLive photo illustration

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The two teams facing off at Eddie Hamada Track and Field/Kozuki Stadium this weekend are both taking measures to prevent history from repeating itself once again.

Iolani and Kapaa, ranked second and third respectively in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings, will square off for the first time since 2011 in the semifinal round of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Football State Championships Saturday. The Raiders (6-3) are making their 11th straight appearance in the tourney while it is only the Warriors' (7-1) second appearance overall. 

If you were to compile a list of dynasties in Hawaii prep football, the Iolani Raiders would be near the top of such a document. Iolani has won seven of the past 12 Division II state titles, six of which came in consecutive years between 2007-2012. But the Raiders saw their chance at an eight crown wiped away with a 28-7 loss to Kauai in the 2013 state semifinals. 

"It motivated this year's team – especially this year's seniors – to get back to the state tournament," Iolani coach Wendell Look said on the Raiders' season-ending loss in 2013. "Now the next step is to get back to the championship game, and they can create that opportunity themselves. 

"I'm very proud of how this team has evolved into a team and the direction and leadership that this senior class has given this team. They call themselves a family. I'm very impressed and proud of them." 

The one roadblock that's left in the Raiders' way back to the championship game is Kauai Interscholastic Federation champion Kapaa, a team that also knows what's at stake. 

Although this is only the Warriors' second trip to the state tournament, their route to the title game is eerily similar to their postseason run in 2011. Both trips saw Kapaa defeat Pearl City, the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II runner-up, in the first round to advance to face Iolani in the semifinals.

Kapaa actually had a 13-0 lead on Iolani in that 2011 semifinal game, but gave up 17 straight points and fell to the eventual champs, 17-13.

"Iolani made some good adjustments (in that game)," said first-year Kapaa coach Phillip Rapozo who was an equipment manager on the 2011 team. "Offensively they went to their jet sweep and we just couldn't stop them." 

But 2011 was just the Warriors' first dance in the postseason. 2011 was Kapaa's first KIF title since 1989 under then head coach Kelii Morgado. The Warriors were relatively fresh to success while Iolani has been cultivating a winning culture.

"We were unsure (of ourselves) because Iolani was the powerhouse in Division II. We never won for 20-something years in the KIF. Going into Iolani (in 2011) it was like okay, I ‘think' we can do it. This year, now we feel like we ‘know' we can do this. I'm not saying that we are going to beat them. You just have to have the confidence in yourselves when you go up against a team like that," said Rapozo. 

One thing Kapaa will have on its side Saturday is a four-year veteran on the offensive line. Senior OG/C Maka Ah Loo was a starting freshman on the 2011 Kapaa team that fell to Iolani.

"It was just so overwhelming the last time I was (in the state tournament) my freshmen year. I'm eager to get back to Iolani and show them that we got what it takes," said Ah Loo following the Warriors' win over Pearl City. "I kind of feel that all these boys on this team is a lot tighter too. We'll do anything that it'll take to win the game."

The Warriors had their backs against the wall in first half of their recent win over Pearl City. Led by quarterback Jordan Taamu, the Chargers put up 22 first half points against the Warriors, the most points that Kapaa has given up all year. Fortunately Kapaa's defense was able to make the necessary adjustments needed to shutout Pearl City's offense the rest of the way. 

Coach Rapozo believes that the battle against Pearl City's passing game has sharpened up the team's defense heading into the matchup against Iolani. The Raiders are a team that is famous for employing a spread offense that utilizes four and five receiver sets. Iolani also retains two 2013 All-Hawaii Division II selections in first team WR Keoni-Kordell Makekau and second team QB Austin Jim On.

"It's going to help us," Rapozo said on the win over Pearl City. "We got tested against the pass against (Pearl City) and Iolani is passing team. Of course, they run the ball well too, but they are a really good passing team." 

Although Iolani is renown for its strong passing game, the Raiders have built a capable running attack in 2014. Jim On has only attempted 207 pass attempts while running backs KJ Pascua (939 yards, 6.3 yards per carry) and Storm Lotomau (602 yards, 5.5 yards per carry) have combined for 259 carries this year. 

Paving the way for the running game is a handful of key offensive linemen that include: 6-foot-3, 241-lb LT Kamuela Borden, 5-foot-11, 270-lb RG Nathaniel Oishi and 5-foot-11, 218-lb C Devin Ide. Borden is a University of Hawaii commit and Ide was an understudy to 2013 All-Hawaii Division II first team OL Spencer Kiehm. 

Iolani's offense will go against a Kapaa defense that impressed Coach Look against Pearl City.

"They're aggressive to the ball. I was very impressed with how they rallied to the ball. They get after to you, trying to bring some pressure," Look said on the Kapaa defense.  "I thought they did a job of keeping Taamu in check in the second half. They come after you. They're ball hawks. 

"I think it's going to be a challenge. They play a lot of guys up front. 35 (Mosese Fifita) and 32 (Austyne Carvalho-Toloai) are very active and they make a lot of plays. You're going to have to account for them all the time. I was impressed with how athletic they are up front. For the size of their line, they move pretty well and get up field." 

The winner between Iolani and Kapaa will advance to take on either Lahainaluna or KS-Hawaii in the Division II state title game on Nov. 21.

Kickoff between the Raiders and the Warriors is slated for 2:30 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than the original scheduled time of 3 p.m.