Punahou has been playing football longer, but Kahuku has the recent history of success.

The two will conclude one of the most competitive seasons in state history tonight when they play for the First Hawaiian Bank Division I state football championship. Kickoff is 8 o'clock at Aloha Stadium.

The top-ranked Red Raiders (10-1) have won three of the six tournaments, but were eliminated in last year's semifinals by Leilehua. The No. 2 Buffanblu (11-2) are in their first state tournament, their highest accomplishment since playing in the 1977 O'ahu Prep Bowl when they lost to 27-6 to Wai'anae.

"It's a huge challenge for us," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "Kahuku is a great team, (has a) great tradition. But we feel we have a chance."

The teams are as different as they are geographically apart. Kahuku, the pride of the North Shore, thrives on running the ball. Downtown's Punahou lives through passing it. While both are capable of scoring off big plays, each has a defense with speed and athleticism.

"Big plays are going to happen," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "We tell the boys they're going to make great plays against us because they have some great backs. It's how you recover (from the big plays)."

KAHUKU OFFENSE VS. PUNAHOU DEFENSE

A concern for Punahou is Kahuku tailback Malosi Te'o (5 feet 11, 200 pounds), who is fourth in the state in rushing (947 yards) with 12 TDs. The most similar runner Punahou has faced is Damien's Kealoha Pilares (5-9, 175), who used his speed and shiftiness to rush for a state-leading 1,741 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. Punahou is the only team to keep Pilares out of the end zone this season, limiting him to a season-low 71 yards in a 42-12 win. What worries the Buffanblu is that Te'o is not only fast, but powerful.

"Pilares is great, but Te'o presents a bigger problem because he's bigger," Ane said. "He has the same quickness and movement that Pilares has."

Kahuku fullback Kamuela Alisa (5-11, 200) is no slouch either. His 771 yards rushing is among the top 10 in the state.

While they run nearly four times more than they pass, the Red Raiders have been effective the few times they have thrown. Quarterback Kaulin Krebs has a 196.8 passing efficiency. He has athletic wide receivers in Redmond Tutor and Jason Evans, as well as tight end Devin Unga; they account for 728 of the team's 964 yards from receptions.

Kahuku's offensive line average 280 pounds per player, but Punahou has speed flanking tackles Wil Tafolo (6-0, 340) and Bucky Aona (6-2, 270). Defensive end Jonathan Overton (6-3, 245) stopped numerous runners and quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage. Linebackers Frederick Rohlfing, Adam Morris, Steven Dannaway and Keoki Hong get to ball carriers quickly. The secondary of Jay Angotti, Maika Murashige, Sam Higgins and Dane Nishikawa are reliable in man coverage.

PUNAHOU OFFENSE VS. KAHUKU DEFENSE

Punahou's offensive line, averaging a svelte 223.4 pounds, will have to keep the pressure off junior quarterback Brett Kan. The second-year starter has passed for 2,511 yards and 23 TDs, but has been intercepted 17 times, five in this tournament alone. Miah Ostrowski has the most receptions (88 for 1,108, 10 TDs), but Kan is adept at his second and third reads, giving River Kim, Zac Yamagishi and Colin Viloria their share of catches.

"They're not relying on one guy so we have to cover all areas," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "That presents more problems."

Kahuku's defensive backs Suaesi Tuimanunei (6-1, 182), Afa Bridensine (6-1, 183), Saulo Purcell (5-11, 165) and Chico Ramirez (6-0, 160) are not only athletic but give the Red Raiders the tallest secondary in the state. They also get help with pressure from linemen B.J. Beatty, Micah Wily and Kaniela Tuipulotu.

When the Buffanblu need to change up the offense, running back Kainoa Carlson is the primary carrier. He is stockily built (6-0, 198) and requires more than one player to bring him down.

"They're a very balanced team and that presents a lot for our defense to prepare for," Livai said. "They don't make too many mistakes."

KICKING, PENALTIES

On special teams, both are threats on returns. But in the kicking game, Punahou has one of the best in Kim, who has booted eight field goals. In fact, of Punahou's 45 touchdowns, it has converted 43 PATs and one 2-point conversion.

Historically, Kahuku's weakness has been place-kicking. The Red Raiders scored 55 touchdowns, but converted only 22 times (14 PATs, 8 2-point conversions).

Another concern for Kahuku is penalties. Since the OIA playoffs, the Red Raiders have been penalized 57 times for 501 yards in their last four games.

"Some penalties I can understand, but we're really trying to cut down the personal fouls," Livai said.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST

Honorary captains were selected for tonight's Division I game. Representing Kahuku's 1972 OIA championship team are Molia Salanoa, Larry Leong, Ernest Aalona and Lindsey Cosier. This was a year before the inception of the Prep Bowl, so the OIA title was the highest achievement that season. Kahuku rallied for a 35-29 win over Leilehua at Honolulu Stadium in what is considered one of the most exciting high school games played in Hawai'i. Representing Punahou's 1977 ILH championship team are Darryl Gabriel, John Kamana, Lyle Hosoda and Jim Steiner ... Kahuku defensive back Chico Ramirez is the son of former Punahou (1971) receiver Nolan Ramirez.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.