One has been there and done that, while the other has just made a significant turnaround from a year ago.

Lahainaluna will take on Konawaena in an opening-round game of the First Hawaiian Bank Division II state tournament, 7 p.m. Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.

The Maui D2 champion Lunas (6-4) are regulars at the tournament, making their fifth consecutive appearance. But the Big Island D2 champion Wildcats (11-1) are here for the first time since 2008. A season ago, they were 3-9.

"In order for something like this to happen -� a Cinderella season for Konawaena, a team that was 3-9 - a lot of things have to work out just right," first-year Konawaena coach Cliff Walters said. "A lot of things worked out right and here we are."

Before they face the Lunas, the Wildcats have to clear a hurdle. Most of the players are leaving the Big Island for their first time.

"It's a maiden voyage for all these kids," Walters said. "But we're excited about it."

The Wildcats are hot, having won eight in a row after suffering their only loss of the season to Kamehameha-Hawaii in September. They are led by quarterback Lii Karratti, who has passed for more than 1,200 yards this season. Not bad for a sophomore who played linebacker last year.

"He's done a real good job," Walters said.

Defensively, lineman Michael Andrade and linebackers Michael Rebara and Gunner Nagata. Walters said Andrade (6-2, 260, Sr.) is a college prospect, while Rebara (5-11, 170) and Nagata (5-10, 167) are "undersized, but they're game. They want to go out and play football."

Meanwhile, it's been sort of a rough season for the Lunas, a strange thing for league champion. They will be without sophomore QB Kika Kohler-Fonohema, who sustained a broke jaw about a month ago. Senior Jacob Kenolio-Dusenberry has since replaced him. Their best rusher is freshman RB Jared Rocha, who averages 5.9 yards per carry and leads his team with six touchdowns.

"We're very, very young," Lahainaluna co-coach Garrett Tihada said. "That's the thing with us. We have a bunch of freshmen starting. Our leading rusher, receiver and scorer is a freshman (Rocha). That's an indication of how we are this year."

Although his team has shown flashes of being a good team, Tihada said it has been inconsistent because of its youth.

"It all comes down to if we have a good week of practice, we'll have a good game," Tihada said.

Lahainaluna has advanced to the state semifinals three times, once when it was in Division I. Three other times, the Lunas had first-round byes.

Konawaena has never passed the opening round in its previous two appearances. In fact, only twice has a Big Island team - both times Hawaii Prep - advanced to the semifinals.

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