Mililani's Bryson Ventura carries the ball in a game against Farrington on September 27, 2014. Jim Lebeau | Special to SL

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Mililani's Bryson Ventura carries the ball in a game against Farrington on September 27, 2014. Jim Lebeau | Special to SL

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Mililani (11-0 overall) and Farrington (9-2 overall) meet for the second time this season in the semifinals of the 16th Annual First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football Division I State Championships on Saturday at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.

Both teams play in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Blue Division and the Trojans beat the Govs, 41-14 earlier on Sept. 27. Mililani jumped out to a 20-7 lead in the first quarter and took a 34-14 lead at halftime. However, both teams have grown since they last met.

"We definitely grew a lot, matured and had the time to gel," said Mililani coach Rod York.

"We played some tough opponents, starting with them (Mililani). We were banged up, but we learned a lot. We played in the OIA and state playoffs so anytime you get that many games in with that magnitude it always helps the team with experience. Hopefully we don't give up that many points we did the first time we played them in the first half and not turnover the ball over," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto.

Farrington defeated Maui last week in the first round, 22-6 and the Govs rushed for 310 yards for the game. Ranan Mamiya ran for 159 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown before going out with a knee injury. However, Challen Faamatau picked up the load for the Govs and ran for 141 yards and a touchdown. According to Okimoto, there are other guys banged up here and there and Mamiya should be ready to go for Saturday's game.

"I definitely feel that way and our guys practicing with a sense of urgency and it was heated today at practice, you can tell guys really want it," said Okimoto, after practice on Veteran's Day.

The Govs shutdown Maui's rushing attack, holding the Sabers to 2.9 yards per carry and 120 yards for the game. However, they will have a bigger task trying to stop Mililani's rushing tandem. In their regular season matchup, McKenzie Milton and Vavae Malepeai combined for 302 rushing yards and five touchdowns and averaged 8.1 yards per attempt.

"We have to play a little bit more aggressive than last time and see what happens. A lot of it was missed tackles so fundamentally we got to do better," said Okimoto, on trying to stop the run.

Mililani defeated Kahuku, 20-7 to clinch the OIA Division I championship on Oct. 31. The two week layoff has given the Trojans time to rest and recover some banged up bodies.

When asked if the players will feel any rust after the time off, York replied, "We'll find out this Saturday. Practices have been full-go and this is our third bye of the year so we're not too concerned, but you never know."

In their previous meeting, Milton threw for 278 yards on 22-of-26 passing and a touchdown. To replicate that offensive success from the previous matchup, blocking is crucial and York preaches it not only to his line, but everyone else on offense.

"Mililani does a good job getting the ball to their athletes in space in open areas so it's about the one-on-one matchups and if we win more of those one-on-one matchups we should be alright," said Okimoto.

Defensively, the Trojans keyed in on stopping the run and held the Govs to 116 yards of net rushing, 3.9 yards per carry and tried to get Montana Liana to become a passer.

"We tried to make him be a true quarterback by going through progressions. We're going to try and take away the passing routes and make it hard on him," said York.

"We run the ball a lot, but we have the ability to pass and we want to peak at the right time and now's the time to do it. I think he had 181 yards of passing in the first half, if we can continue that, with no turnovers then it should be a good night offensively," said Okimoto.

The winner will advance to the championship game next week on Nov. 21 against either Punahou or Kahuku.

"We expect a tough game, we know them and they know us and we have to execute so it's no secret and there won't be too many changes," said York.

"We have to play smart football and we cut it down a little with penalties, but we have to cut it down more and there's always room for improvement. If they want to go to the big dance as we call it, we have to play our best game, simple as that," said Okimoto.

Kickoff between the Govs and Trojans, part two, is set for 4 p.m.