For Leilehua, the postseason hasn't been kind when it has involved Kahuku in recent history.

The perennial powers of their respective divisions will meet in Friday's Oahu Interscholastic Association Red semifinals, 4:30 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

Campbell will meet Farrington at 7:30 p.m. in the other semfinal. The winners advance to next week's championship and secure Division I state tournament berths.

Both semifinals will be aired on OC16.

The Mules (8-0-1), ranked second in the ScoringLive/OC16 Power Rankings, have met the No. 3 Red Raiders (8-1) four times in the OIA semfinals since 1993 and won each meeting - on the field. Last year, Kahuku had to forfeit its 46-16 win for using an ineligible player.

Both teams move the ball differently. Kahuku's dominance has been on the ground with RB Aofaga Wily reeling off 799 yards and six TDs. Leilehua has gone primarily passing with QB Kenan Sadanaga's 2,314 yards and 32 TDs.

The Mules haven't faced any RB like Wily, who is fifth among Division I rushers. The Red West had no rushers in the top 12.

Likewise, the Red Raiders haven't seen any QB like Sadanaga, who completes 70 percent of his passes and averages 257.1 yards per game, second best in Division I.

But both teams have tremendous defenses with the talent to minimize damage. Kahuku's third-year starter, junior defensive back Kawehena Johnson, is a big playmaker, as is Leilehua's Russell Siavii, who is coming off a four-interception game. But the Mules' task will be to stop the run.

If special teams are a factor, Leilehua has the big boot of 5-foot-10, 230-pound lineman Tim Momiyama, who has made six field goals and a PAT from 50 yards (because of penalties). His ability to kickoff touchbacks neutralizes any return threat usually associated with Kahuku teams.

The top-ranked Governors (9-0) and No. 4 Sabers (8-1) don't have much history, but Farrington has won preseason meetings in 2009 and 2010. The Governors also beat the Sabers twice in OIA quarterfinals in 1988 and 2007.

This has the making of a classic defensive battle. The most points the Governors' defense has allowed was 20, which came in last week's 25-20 quarterfinal win against Mililani. The Sabers' defense were responsible for 25 points in a 32-13 loss to Leilehua, the most it allowed this season.

Offensively, the Governors have kept their game grounded with RB Tyler Taumua, who leads all Division I rushers with 1,377 yards and 15 TDs. But QB Travis Tamapua keeps defense honest with 107.8 yards passing per game.

The Sabers, who have generated the fewest yards of total offense at 1,735 among the four semifinalists, are the most balanced. They have passed for 987 yards and rushed for 738. Junior left-hander Justin Tago-Su'e has taken about 70 percent of the snaps, but there's hardly a drop off when sophomore right-hander Isaac Hurd is in for the other 30 percent of the time.

Aiea showed some success running up the middle on Campbell last week, so Taumua will provide the Sabers a test. Campbell's defense has been battle-tested in the West and will find out what the East has to offer.

---