The twisting, turning saga that has been the Interscholastic League of Honolulu football season hits another major crossroad tomorrow, when Division II power Iolani takes on defending Division I state champion Kamehameha at Aloha Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., following the 4:30 game between Damien and Saint Louis.

Iolani, 5-1 overall and ranked No. 3 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, is the only ILH team without a league loss (2-0). Although the Raiders are classified as Division II, they still can stake a claim as overall league champion if they beat their DI opponents.

The first test is No. 4 Kamehameha (4-2, 1-1 ILH) tomorrow.

"That's the challenge for us now," Iolani coach Wendell Look said. "We always put an emphasis on Division II, but one of the goals for this year's team is to win the overall league title and to do that, we gotta beat some of these (DI) guys. That's the next step, and it makes it interesting.

"But our team is a veteran group and they have a good maturity level, so their focus has been good. They're not looking too far down the road."

The Raiders have a prolific offense led by quarterback Kiran Kepo'o, running back Mike Hirokawa and a fleet of quick receivers, but immediately in their path is a strong Warriors defense that allows an average of 14.5 points per game.

Many of Kamehameha's defensive starters were key members of the 2004 state championship team, including defensive linemen Kapono Rawlins-Crivello, Sonny Recca and Kaipo Sarkissian, linebackers Mana Lolotai and Gerritt Vincent, linebacker/defensive back Parker Paredes and defensive back Drew Ueno.

"The list goes on and on," Look said. "Their whole defense is very solid, but especially their front seven is not only big and physical, but they can run, too. They can match our quickness."

Not many teams can say that. Iolani is not big (only four players over 200 pounds) but probably has the best overall team speed in the league. That poses huge problems for opponents, because the Raiders send out four receivers on every play and even use Hirokawa on pass patterns in an explosive no-huddle offense.

Kepo'o is the state's most efficient quarterback, having completed 72 of 108 passes (66.7 percent) for 1,204 yards and 16 touchdowns against only three interceptions. Travis Nishioka (19 catches, 415 yards, six TDs) leads the receiving corps, and Hirokawa has rushed for 556 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 9.6 yards per carry.

"It's a tough chore for our defense," Warriors coach Doss Tannehill said. "They have a nice blocking scheme and that no-huddle offense will test our conditioning because it doesn't give you time to rest. Wendell has always done an outstanding job with that program, and they put a nice package together."

Even with starting slotback Kekai Kealoha out indefinitely with a shoulder injury, Iolani's offense did not skip a beat last week as Mark May stepped in and made three catches for 75 yards, including two touchdowns, in a 42-0 victory over Pac-Five.

"After we beat Damien, I told (May) we need to find a way to get him on the field," Look said. "He works hard in practice and makes plays, and now he's finally getting an opportunity to prove what he can do."

It's similar to the opportunity all of the Raiders have tomorrow — to show they truly can compete with the best.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.