Although the Hawaii High School Athletic Association grants up to 60 seats per team for interisland flights, the Kalaheo Mustangs won't have to worry about surpassing the quota.

All 28 strong will visit the Garden Isle for Saturday's opening round of the First Hawaiian Bank State Football Division II Tournament against Kaua'i. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium.

Despite being outnumbered by their hosts nearly 2-to-1, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White runners-up will play as they have all season: with no fear.

"I like our chances," Kalaheo coach Chris Mellor said. "I liked our chances against Kaimuki, too. You never know how the games are going to turn out. We're kind of sour. We got our butts whipped on Friday, everyone saw it and it hurts. But we're going to Kaua'i and we're going to win."

Kalaheo has seven players who start on both sides of the ball. It's a late afternoon game because the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation was forced to play under the sun to protect the endangered Newell's shearwater, which get disoriented by artificial lights. But at this time of the season, it won't be as hot, Kaua'i coach Derek Borrero said.

"I'm not too concerned about the heat," Borrero said. "I'm concerned about the rain. I don't want too much rain on that day."

The Mustangs' bigger concern is defending the Red Raiders' wishbone.

"It's going to be a tough challenge," Mellor said. "It's hard to duplicate the wishbone in four days."

Kaua'i used to run-and-shoot in previous seasons. But the personnel wasn't there to continue that offense, Borerro said.

"We have a lot of running backs, so we decided, 'Let's just run the ball.'" Borrero said.

Kapa'a and Waimea has the top two rushers in the KIF in Waika Alapai and Alika Emayo, respectively. But Kaua'i has the next three in RBs Jake Leake (299 yards), Kele Hanohano (293) and Darren Acoba (157).

The Mustangs have a balanced attack behind QB Justin Pagan, who is fifth among Division II passers with 943 yards. His 937 yards rushing ranks sixth among D2 rushers.

He isn't the only threat. Running back Jesse Carney leads all D2 rushers with 1,411 yards and 16 TDs.

Carney and Pagan are among the seven two-way Mustangs.

"I love's for that," Mellor said of his seven two-way players. "They rise for any challenge that's in front of them to the best of their ability."

The Red Raiders have a versatile QB in veteran Shea Shimabukuro, who also does the kicking. He was 4 of 6 in field goal tries, including a KIF record 53-yarder.

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