They are so similar, yet their circumstances are so different.

When the No. 4 Baldwin Bears take on the No. 2 Leilehua Mules in tomorrow's First Hawaiian Bank Division I state football tournament semifinal at Aloha Stadium, it will be mirror images of themselves.

Both have aggressive, attacking defenses that have been vital to their successes. Both have big pocket-passing quarterbacks running their offenses.

"It's like facing us," Baldwin's first-year coach A.J. Roloos said.

But how they got here is another story.

The Mules (8-4) are happily going with the flow of an improbable season. Coach Nolan Tokuda has been telling his players to play for the moment and not worry that it is win-or-done time from here on out.

They barely qualified for postseason to begin with. They were the fifth seed in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association West, qualifying by a tie-breaker. But an upset of West top-seed Mililani in overtime in the OIA quarterfinals led to an eventual OIA title, the Mules' first since 1984.

Meanwhile, the Bears (9-1) haven't lost since a 38-15 nonleague loss to San Clemente (Calif.) back in August. (San Clemente finished 7-3-1.) They are coming off a 26-14 win against Farrington in last week's first round of the tournament.

Then there is last year's semifinal loss to eventual state champion Kahuku. A double pass in the closing seconds left the Bears with a numbing, 22-20 loss.

"Our kids are excited," Roloos said. "We got one win under our belt. They wanted to come back and play in Aloha Stadium. Especially the juniors from, you know, that devastating loss."

Since the state seedings were announced before the leagues crowned their champions, the OIA and Interscholastic League of Honolulu were awarded the top two seeds that came with first-round byes.

But it's the Bears who appear to have the advantage. While both teams are similar athletically, the Bears have been through the wringer with last year's appearance.

"They know how it is to play at Aloha Stadium with all the people there," Roloos said. "It's just a different atmosphere there. They know how to deal with it."

The Mules' last state appearance was in 2005, when, as the OIA's third-place team, they made it to the championship, losing to Kamehameha, 28-7.

Experience could make the difference.

Baldwin's Jordan Helle (6-3, 200) has passed for 4,145 yards and 52 touchdowns since last year. He has support from running back Chansi Bolosan and all-state receiver Chase Nakamura, as well as slotback Skyler Cabacungan and wideout Kalei Kamahele. (Bolosan sustained a bruised hip last week, but is expected to play tomorrow, Roloos said.) Guard Sean Tesoro (6-3, 297), who has been offered a scholarship by Hawai'i, leads the offensive line.

"They're a very efficient offense," said Tokuda, who scouted the Bears last week on Maui. "Jordan does a good job of managing the offense and getting them down the field."

Leilehua's Andrew Manley (6-2, 180) is a sophomore promoted from the JV just three games ago. He has thrown for 447 yards and five TDs. His network includes running back/slot Rico Newman and wideouts Edieson Dumlao and Allan Macam.

"We have to pressure their young quarterback," Roloos said.

Both teams have sprint-to-the-ball hustle on defense. The Mules have allowed just two field goals in their last two games. Linebackers Robert Siavii and Art Laurel are always in the mix.

Bears linemen Mana Rosa, Leti Langi and Troy Aoki, and linebacker David Kaanana put the heat on Farrington's offense. Defensive backs Kainalu Garso and Mikie Webb combined for three interceptions in the game and batted away other passes that were on target.

"They just come at you," Tokuda said. "From the first play to the last, they bring it."

"It should be a dog fight," added Roloos.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.