Kahuku can clinch at least a share of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East football title with a win tomorrow at Castle.

More importantly, the No. 3 Red Raiders (4-2 overall, 4-0 East) can secure the East top seed for the six-team OIA postseason tournament. But off-field issues (half the players boycotted Wednesday's practice) might have an effect on their focus against the Knights (3-3, 3-1), who could force a share of the conference lead with a victory with one more weekend to go in the regular season.

"First of all, we gotta worry about getting together as a team," said embattled Kahuku coach Reggie Torres, under fire from an unknown number of players, parents and community members for his coaching philosophies despite his record (15-4 and a state title in his first season last year). "We're trying to be united. We're getting too many distractions outside of football ... There's so many distractions from these irate parents and community members."

But there's a formidable opponent in Castle, a program with a history of slaying dragons in recent years. The Knights handed Kahuku its only loss in 2005, when the Red Raiders won the state title.

"They have some speed and some great skill athletes," Torres said. "They have that big nose tackle back (referring to 6-2, 305-pound tackle Solomon Koehler)."

The Knights, with quarterback Blake Rapozo (696 yards passing), are pretty balanced as far as running and passing (139 rushes, 130 pass attempts), but have netted a little more than twice as many yards through the air (750 to 346).

Plus, Kahuku is hurting on the left side of the offensive line. Patrick Au (6-8, 330) and Daniel Kinikini (6-3, 293) are out with knee injuries, Torres said.

The Knights, coming off a bye, are healthy, coach Nelson Maeda said. Left side missing or not, he knows the Red Raiders are still loaded.

"Their athleticism on defense" is a concern, Maeda said. "They're very active. You have (all-state defensive back Shiloah) Te'o in the backfield and that front seven with (linebacker Alema) Tachibana and company, that's an 11 to contend with. Our offense is already struggling to begin with and we'll be going against one of the best defenses we'll have seen so far."

On offense, the athletic Jray Galeai at quarterback poses problems for the Knights.

"They force you to defend the whole field," Maeda said.

Game time is 4 p.m. for the JV with the varsity to follow.

NO. 1 SAINT LOUIS VS. 'IOLANI

7:45 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium

RECORDS: Saint Louis (5-0 overall, 2-0 ILH), 'Iolani (3-2, 2-0)

LAST WEEK: Saint Louis beat Kamehameha, 14-7; 'Iolani had a bye.

NOTABLE: The first week of interdivisional games in the ILH features the league's top two passers. Saint Louis' Micah Mamiya, the state Offensive Player of the Year in 2006, and 'Iolani's Kela Marciel are among the state leaders in passing efficiency. The Raiders may be under-sized against the Crusaders, but have shown an ability to hold their own against physical teams. They were able to run with Justin Yamamoto against Wai'anae, usually a tough defender against the run. Receivers Lionel Fujioka and Reid Furukawa are frequent targets. The Crusaders can wear out opponents by running with Keani Nishigaya and Vonn Feao, the team's rushing leaders, and wear out secondaries with receivers Tamatoa DeMello, Lucas Gonsalves and Billy Stutzmann, who all have double-digit receptions.

CAMPBELL AT NO. 4 MILILANI

5 p.m. (JV), varsity to follow, today

RECORDS: Campbell (2-3-1, 2-2), Mililani (5-1, 3-1)

LAST WEEK: Campbell beat Radford, 21-14; Mililani had a bye

NOTABLE: The Trojans will put themselves in the driver's seat for the OIA Red West division title and top seed with a victory, but they face a Sabers' team that has been on a roll since an 0-2 start that included a forfeit to Wai'anae because of a scuffle in the 'Aiea loss to start the season. Since their loss to Wai'anae, the Trojans have reeled off four wins in a row (including a nonleague game against Pac-Five). The Trojans' defense has not allowed more than 14 points in a game and this against some formidable offenses such as 'Aiea and Wai'anae. Quarterback Rustin Funakoshi's passing (795 yards) complements running back Michael Among-Serrao's rushing (326 yards). Taz Stevenson, who splits time in the backfield and at receiver, leads the team with 361 yards receiving. The Sabers have three running backs sharing the workload in Samson Anguay (262 yards), Bronson Ellis-Rivera (137) and Faafetai Tuvale (123).

KAIMUKI AT WAIALUA

5 p.m. (JV), varsity follow, today

RECORDS: Kaimuki (5-1, 5-0), Waialua (2-4, 1-4)

LAST WEEK: Kaimuki beat Roosevelt, 34-13; Waialua had a bye

NOTABLE: The battle of the Bulldogs. Kaimuki can clinch one of the top four playoff spots in the OIA White with a victory. Kaimuki has separated itself from the pack with its defense, allowing 31 points in its last five games since a 21-7 nonleague loss to 'Aiea. Justin Paderes, a 5-foot-5 running back, has 621 yards and eight TDs rushing. Receiver Christopher Etuale leads the team with 10 receptions for 172 yards, but is also dangerous on special teams. He had long kickoff and punt returns to help the Bulldogs beat Roosevelt last weekend. Waialua quarterback Donovan Matas has been his team's double threat. He leads the team with 690 yards rushing and six TDs and 472 yards passing.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.