It's one thing to know what's coming, but it's another to stop it.

That's what worries No. 7 Leilehua when it takes on No. 2 Kahuku in one semifinal of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red football tournament at Aloha Stadium today. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m.

The other semifinal between Mililani (tied at No. 8) and No. 5 Wai'anae follows at 7:30.

The semifinal winners play for the championship on Nov. 10 with the losers to play for third place on Nov. 11 for the final state Division I berth.

The defending OIA Red and state Division I champion Red Raiders (7-2) have a history of running the ball successfully. This season, they've packed the ball nearly 10 times more than they've passed it. The Mules (7-2) could place 11 players on and near the line, but ...

"They could tell you what's coming and good luck trying to stop it," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said.

Kahuku has rushed for 2,059 yards. Running back Lehi Aumua leads the way with 673 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games followed by quarterback Richard Torres' 355 yards in Kahuku's option offense.

The Red Raiders' offense has attempted only 37 passes or a little more than four times a game for 182 yards.

The most similar running attack the Mules have faced was against Wai'anae, which won 24-0. The Seariders ran up 324 yards against the Mules.

The Mules, though, have shown some balance, rushing the ball 268 times for 1,167 yards and passing it 247 times with 135 completions for 1,629 yards.

Senior Bryant Moniz is 123 of 221 for 1,472 yards with 16 TDs to seven interceptions. Receiver Martin Iosefo leads the team with 36 catches for 445 yards and eight TDs. But running back Micah Abreu Laybon has been a double threat, rushing for 776 yards and six TDS and hauling in 25 passes for 321 yards and two TDs. He also does kick returns.

Kahuku's defense has been flat-out stingy most of the season. Although it had been stretched for 289 and 332 yards the last two games against Moanalua and Kapolei, the defense only allowed 14 and 15 points, respectively. One of the reasons for the lack of points is the Red Raiders boast one of the best fronts in the state with Kaniela Tuipulotu, Nai Fotu, Malone Fiso and Alema Tachibana.

The teams have a competitive past. In 2004, Kahuku beat Leilehua, 12-6, in the OIA semifinals. But the Mules beat the Red Raiders, 17-14, in the state semifinals. They have not played each other since.

The Red Raiders advanced by ousting Kapolei, 33-15, in last week's quarterfinals. The Mules rallied past McKinley, 23-14, in another quarterfinal.

Meanwhile, the Trojans (7-2) and Seariders (6-3) are in a rematch of their regular-season opener won by Wai'anae, 28-13. Mililani then lost to Leilehua, but has won five in a row since.

"Their running game has improved a lot," Seariders' coach Danny Matsumoto said of the Trojans since the first meeting on Sept. 1.

Mililani's workhorse is running back Jordan Torres, who has 1,197 yards and 11 TDs. Isaiah Lawelawe also is a threat with 367 yards and six TDs.

Quarterback Rustin Funakoshi has improved steadily as the season progressed. He has passed for 989 yards and rushed for 79.

"He started off slow this year," Trojans' coach James Millwood said. "With the new offense, we added new things. I think he was thinking too much. Now he has a grasp of everything. He's not putting as much pressure on himself. He feels more comfortable now."

The Seariders like to pound the pavement, rushing for 1,943 yards. They spread the wealth among a number of running backs with Danny Kekoanui (346 yards), Joe Abell (307 yards) and David Ferreira (292 yards) totaling 181 rushing attempts, accounting for more than half the team's 344 carries.

"Their offense has a lot of weapons, so it's big test for us," Millwood said.

Quarterback Ben McQuown has 713 yards passing to keep defenses honest.

Rain, which might be a factor tonight, has already hampered the teams during the week.

Wai'anae did not practice on Wednesday because of orders to send students home coming from the Leeward District office, Matsumoto said.

"We usually put in different packages per day," he said. "We have to cover two things today (yesterday), so we're still trying to figure that out."

Leilehua athletic director Jimmy Toyota said his school canceled all activities after getting a call from the Central District office. The football team did not practice. Toyota said the decision to halt activities was from the school "for safety reasons."

"You could have two weeks and still not be ready for a team like Kahuku because of their athleticism, numbers and size. Basically, we had three days (of practice). Monday, Tuesday and today (yesterday) is like half a day because it's only helmets and shorts," Tokuda said of his concern for the missed workout. "Plus, it was a short week because we played (the quarterfinals against McKinley) on Saturday."

But Kahuku practiced, as did Mililani, also a part of the Central District.

"We practiced in the rain (on Wednesday)," Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said. "It was a good experience. Some kids got sick, but that's the price you have to pay."

The heavy rain might have hindered, but didn't stop the Trojans from working out.

"It was hard to get anything done because it was raining so hard," Millwood said.

Mililani athletic director Glenn Nitta said his school received no order to shut down or stop activities.

Dwight Toyama, OIA executive director, said the shutdown of activities was not statewide, as might have been rumored. The league still held its volleyball tournament that evening.

The White tournament has the weekend off. Kaimuki plays Waipahu for the championship on Nov. 10.

ILH

Saint Louis had already clinched the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's Division I championship, but Division II is still up for grabs between Damien and 'Iolani, both 2-3-1.

The Monarchs have the apparent upper hand, having to play a comparable Division II opponent in Pac-Five (0-6). Game time is 7 tonight at Kunuiakea Athletic Stadium on the Kamehameha campus.

The Raiders play the Crusaders (6-0) at 4:45 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium in the first game of a doubleheader. In the other game, Punahou plays Kamehameha at 7:30 p.m.

Damien can clinch the Division II title with a win and an 'Iolani loss. If Damien and 'Iolani remain tied, a playoff will be held the following week to determine the champion, which also gets a Division II state berth.

MIL

Baldwin (3-0-1 second round) can wrap up the Maui Interscholastic League Division I crown with a win or tie against Pac-Three (0-3-1) tomorrow night at War Memorial Stadium.

The Bears can also clinch if Lahainaluna (3-1) loses to King Kekaulike (3-1) 7:30 tonight at War Memorial.

Baldwin won the first-round title and a playoff will be needed if Lahainaluna wins the second round in Division I.

King Kekaulike has already won both rounds for the Division II title.

BIIF

Honoka'a (6-3) plays host to Konawaena (6-3) at 7 tonight in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II semifinals. The winner plays at Kamehameha-Hawai'i (7-2) for the Division II title on Nov. 10.

In Division I, Waiakea(4-5) travels to Kea'au (6-3) for a 7 p.m. semifinal tomorrow. The winner advances to play at Kealakehe (9-0) on Nov. 11 for the championship.

KIF

Kapa'a (0-5) closes out the season against Kaua'i (5-0) at 7:30 tonight at Vidinha Stadium. Kaua'i has already clinched the title and Division II state berth.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.