GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
McKinley quarterback Abel Warner leads the Tigers against the Mililani Trojans tomorrow in an OIA Red playoff quarterfinal.
OIA Red teams
open playoffs
The words "black and blue" are sometimes used to describe hard-hitting football games, but the Oahu Interscholastic Association is getting a darker hue this week.
Weekend schedule
All games 7:30 unless otherwise noted
Tomorrow
ILH
Iolani vs. Saint Louis, at Aloha Stadium, 4:45 p.m.
Punahou vs Kamehameha, at Aloha Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
OIA Red Quarterfinals
Waianae at Kahuku
Nanakuli at Kailua
Farrington at Pearl City
McKinley at Mililani
BIIF
Kohala at Keaau, 7 p.m.
Konawaena at Ka'u, 7 p.m.
KIF
Kapaa vs. Waimea at Hanapepe Stadium
MIL
Lahainaluna vs. Maui, at War Memorial Stadium
Saturday
ILH
Pac-Five vs. Damien, at Kamehameha's Kunuiakea Stadium, 2 p.m.
BIIF
Hilo at Kealakehe
Waiakea at Hawaii Prep, 2 p.m.
MIL
King Kekaulike vs. Pac-Three, at War Memorial Stadium
Tomorrow night, it's "black and brown" -- McKinley (5-3) at Mililani (8-0) -- for an intriguing quarterfinal playoff game.
It's one of four OIA Red playoff games. The winners qualify for the Division I state tournament.
"We're expecting an exciting game," Trojans coach James Millwood said. "McKinley is playing its best football now and we're going up against one of the best quarterbacks we'll see all year in Abel Werner."
Millwood is asking his players to continue playing like they have all year.
"We need our offense to establish things, to stay on the field and keep them off," he said. "Defensively, we want to keep them off-balance and try and get a few turnovers."
Millwood is wary of McKinley's two capable backs -- Michael Vasconcellos and Quinton Sayers -- in addition to the crafty Werner and his favorite target, Iakopo Taumua.
The Mililani defense, keyed by middle linebacker Mikhail Mabry and ends Jake Ingram and Michael Suan, will try to make things difficult for the Tigers.
"We expect them to try and control the ball," first-year McKinley coach William Moeava said. "But we want to go up and down the field and make it a shootout."
The Tigers are planning on trying to stop Mililani's many weapons, including running backs Peter and Carlo Raneses and receiver Darren Smith.
"We've got to deal with this tough Mililani team before we can think about what comes after it," Moeava said. "But I know the kids will be thrilled if they make the states."
Chargers host Govs: Pearl City's Onosai Tanuvasa has a bit of a dilemma. He's coaching against Farrington, his alma mater, tomorrow night in another OIA quarterfinal.
"The way I look at it, how can I lose?' " Tanuvasa said. "But I wouldn't switch places from where I am now. I like our kids. They never give up."
The Chargers (6-2) are dreaming about playing at Aloha Stadium, but they can only do it with a victory.
Tanuvasa believes Pearl City quarterback Jensen Cabanero, who has a host of capable receivers to throw to, may make a difference in the outcome.
"He's really coming into his own," the coach said. "He's been seeing the light and that light is shining brighter and brighter for him every week."
Farrington coach Randall Okimoto is planning for the Governors (4-3-1) to guard against Pearl City's effective passing game. Taeao Fagalale is the team's leader in the defensive backfield.
Offensively, Farrington is balanced, with the running of Matt Bell and the passing of Eti Atonio.
"The boys know what's at stake," Okimoto said. "We'll find out Friday where we stand and see if we're ready to go on a roll like we did last year at about this time.
"We expect a good game. Pearl City is the second-best team in the West for a reason."
Tanuvasa believes desire is the key.
"If you don't want it bad enough, you're not going to go home happy at the end of the game," he said. "I told our kids that whoever stands in our way, we have to eliminate them. It just happens to be Farrington."
Red Raiders, Seariders in rematch: Kahuku (8-0) hosts Waianae (3-5) in a rematch of a regular-season opener.
The Red Raiders won that one 36-0, and they're a heavy favorite tomorrow night. They're led by running back Dustin Huddy and receiver Spencer Hafoka on offense and by end Shosei Yamauchi on defense.
The Seariders have been known to get up for the big ones, though, and will try to survive with a ball-control attack led by running back Chris Lave.
Surfriders, Golden Hawks tangle: Nanakuli (5-3) is a decided underdog against Kailua (6-1-1) and a monster offensive line that produces hefty holes for running back Damien Torres. But the Golden Hawks, led by quarterback Albert Distajo, are scrappy and upset-minded.
Buffanblu try to make noise: Punahou (4-4) takes on Kamehameha (7-0) in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's marquee game tomorrow night.
"We think we can stick with them and we're looking forward to the challenge," Punahou coach Kale Ane said.
Quarterback Jon Morris and running back Micah Strickland have been effective for the Buffanblu. The Punahou defense is faced with the task of stopping tough Warrior running back Sy Cullen and a dangerous passing game led by Pono Kam.
