In baseball, it's known as the rubber game.

When the Mililani and Wai'anae football teams take to the Aloha Stadium FieldTurf Friday, it will the third meeting between them this season, but undoubtedly, much more is at stake this time around: the winner will make its first appearance in a state championship game.

The third-ranked Trojans (10-1) and No. 8 Seariders (5-7) have split their first two meetings: a 42-28 trashing by Wai'anae on the Trojans' home field back on Sept. 4 and a 38-28 win by Mililani three weeks ago in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red (Division I) Tournament semifinals, which was also played at Aloha Stadium.

Mililani has not played a game since its Oct. 29 victory over the Seariders. The forfeiture of Kahuku's season resulted in the cancellation of the OIA title game two weeks ago. The Trojans, consequently, were awarded the league crown and as the top seed in the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division I State Tournament, also received a first-round bye last week, along with Interscholastic League of Honolulu champ Saint Louis.

The Trojans are led by player of the year candidate Trent McKinney at quarterback, who has thrown for 1,977 yards and rushed for 532. The 6-foot, 175-pound senior has 23 touchdown passes against five interceptions. He also leads his team with 12 rushing scores.

McKinney's favorite target has been 6-4 wide receiver Hassan Richardson, who has 47 catches for 745 yards and 12 TDs on the season. Running back Zachary Payomo has racked up 1,133 rush yards on 155 carries with 10 scores.

Mililani's high-octane offense averages 33 points and 398 offensive yards per game. Defensively, they allow 264 yards and 19 points per game. Among the leaders on the Trojans' defense is safety Elijah Lagafuaina and defensive tackle Brandon Tacadena.

Waianae, meanwhile, is hoping it has righted the ship after a tumultuous regular season. Head coach Danny Matsumoto's team was unable to put together back-to-back regular-season wins and finished third (3-3) in the OIA Red West, but look to be catching fire at the right time. After finishing third in the OIA Tournament, the Seariders won their state tourney opener at home Friday, 34-16, over Big Island Interscholastic Federation titlist Kealakehe.

The Seariders are paced by quarterback Puletua Wilson. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior has thrown for 1,336 yards with 14 TDs and seven INTs. He is also the team's second-leading rusher with 487 yards and 11 scores. Bryson Panui has 525 yards with five TDs and Jaylen Mitchell 478 yards with two TDs.

Wai'anae averages 287 yards and 24 points offensively while allowing its opponents 292 yards and 22 points each time out. The Seariders' defensive is led by linebacker Chavez Kauwalu and defensive back Eldridge Kuie'e.

Kickoff between Mililani and Wai'anae is set for 4 p.m. No. 2 Saint Louis will play fourth-ranked Leilehua in the 7 p.m. semifinal.

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