Halloween isn't even remotely near yet, but life for the Damien Monarchs could have an eerie feel after tomorrow.

The Monarchs are 5-1, easily one of the best records in the state, but could see their postseason hopes tumble. Why? Because the 'Iolani Raiders would love to spoil the Monarchs' party.

While Damien has thwarted every other foe, it was eighth-ranked 'Iolani (5-1) that derailed the Monarchs 27-21 three weeks ago in the season opener of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

The two Division II contenders are already lined up for a second battle tomorrow—at Eddie Hamada Field—while most of the other teams statewide are weeks away from any do-or-die scenarios. Damien, 2-1 in league play, can't afford to fall to 2-2 against the Raiders, who are 3-0 in the ILH.

Even more pressing for Damien is the simple fact that 'Iolani is only going to improve. Coach Wendell Look gave his thumbs up to one of the riskiest moves by any team so far—converting a perfectly fine, All-State caliber quarterback (Kela Marciel) to wide receiver. Crazy?

Nah. It's pure logic. By moving Marciel, a shifty, glue-fingered 6-footer, promising Jarrett Arakawa finally gets on the field. The left-handed junior gives Look two key athletes on the field rather than only one in 'Iolani's no-huddle, run-and-shoot offense.

So far, the experiment is a resounding success. Arakawa, at 6 feet and 180 pounds, has connected on 50 percent of his attempts (52-for-104). He has 840 passing yards in four games (210 per game) with nine touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Arakawa's output against Damien in the first meeting was possibly his best: 19-for-29 passing, 302 yards, three scores and one pick. It was his second start.

Damien has a new face at quarterback, too, in Stanton Pilialoha. In two starts, he has thrown for a modest 154 yards, but his accuracy (59 percent) and intelligence (two touchdowns, zero picks) are invaluable for coach Wally Aina's run-first philosophy.

A commitment to the ground game, as has been true for several years, is Damien's forte. Brenan Furtado follows a line of Monarchs running backs that includes former Star-Bulletin offensive players of the year Kealoha Pilares (2005) and Kama Bailey (2007).

Furtado has rushed for 690 yards (7.3 per carry) and 11 touchdowns in six games. Against 'Iolani, he had 135 yards on 20 attempts and scored once.

The lineup changes haven't fully ripened, of course. Marciel has yet to find his groove as defenses shade their coverages his way, but he has caught 10 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns. As the Raiders offense matures, Marciel's speed and timing with Arakawa can only improve.

Good news for the defending Division II state champs. Bad news for the rest of D-II-ville.

Meanwhile, Anthony “;Bones”; Tuitele has been shaking things up for opposing offenses. Tuitele, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior, was adequate at quarterback—a runner who loved to initiate contact. But as a safety, he's back in his comfort zone with jarring hits and smart decision-making.

History may be an indicator. 'Iolani won last year's first matchup 46-19, but Damien closed the gap by October, losing 28-21—not that Aina and the Monarchs would be content to simply close the margin.

Here's a look at more of tomorrow's matchups:

No. 6 Kahuku vs. Kaimuki
It's only destiny that Darren Johnson is finally coaching against a) his alma mater, b) a team he was hired to be an offensive coordinator for last year, and c) the very team that could knock his new team, Kaimuki (3-2, 2-1), off the track toward a playoff berth.

The Bulldogs' return to Division I has been bumpy, but promise is still in the air. Tevita Aholelei, a 216-pound senior, has run for 281 yards in his last three games. Chris Fiamate has 19 receptions for 328 yards and three touchdowns in Kaimuki's balanced attack.

Kahuku (4-1, 3-0), though, will batter away against the Bulldogs. St. John Lessary III has 331 rushing yards (6.5 per attempt) to lead a stable of talent in the backfield.

No. 10 Kapolei at Pearl City
Is it possible that the Hurricanes would overlook the Chargers? At 2-2 in Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West play (3-3 overall), that seems unlikely. Kapolei cornerback Kalani Brackenridge may get his share of matchups with Skye Kaapuni, who has 33 catches for 542 yards and three touchdowns in his last three games.

Moanalua vs. Kalaheo
Is there really any justification for a 6-0 team, Kalaheo, not to be ranked in the Top 10? The Mustangs aren't deep like Kahuku, nor are they necessarily huge from top to bottom. What coach Chris Mellor and his staff have, though, is the right blend of talent and size, plus incredible precision in the trenches. Phil Tauai, like his predecessor (Cody vonAppen), has a value as steersman of the veer offense that goes beyond stats.

For Kalaheo, 4-0 in OIA White play, there can be no overlooking spunky Na Menehune (3-2, 2-2). Moanalua had last weekend off and hasn't forgotten last year's 28-14 loss to the Mustangs.

Aiea vs. Kalani
The Falcons are forfeiting their third game of the season.

KS-Hawaii at Konawaena
What's wrong with the Warriors (0-5, 0-3)? Nothing much, really. They have a new coach and a new bunch of starters, but playing one of the state's toughest nonconference schedules (Kapolei, at Baldwin, Bonita Vista) was not so good for the win-loss columns. Konawaena (6-0, 3-0) has beaten three of the Big Island's four D-I teams, but is vulnerable after suffering yet more injuries in last week's win over D-I favorite Honokaa. The Wildcats, like Kalaheo, are on the cusp of the Top 10.

Kohala at Ka'u
The Cowboys bounced back from a jolting loss to Konawaena by edging Kamehameha-Hawaii 19-16 last week. Kamalani Manantan's 15-yard touchdown run won it as time expired, keeping Kohala (5-1, 2-1) right behind Konawaena in the D-II race.

Hawaii Prep at KEA'au
Though this contest won't count in the BIIF standings, D-II HPA (3-1, 2-1) can make a strong statement against the D-I Cougars (2-3, 2-1). In three meetings this season, the BIIF's D-II teams have swept D-I squads.

St. Anthony vs. KS-Maui
After struggling through the nonconference slate, the Warriors (0-3, 0-1) came close to upsetting perennial D-II power Lahainaluna last week. Evan Garces threw for 229 yards and a touchdown in the loss.