There may not be two more similar programs in the league.

Between Farrington and Kahuku, there have been a multitude of athletes who later became college and NFL linemen. There is hardly another team that looks forward to a matchup with Farrington and Kahuku. In fact, they'd be happy to have a bye week following a bruising game with the two biggest teams in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East.

For all their size and speed similarities, it's Kahuku that has dominated the series in recent years. Last year, the Red Raiders won again, 27-7, before 4,000 fans at their home field. It was the 10th Kahuku win in the last 11 meetings.

It took a toll, though. A week later, McKinley tied Kahuku, 7-all.

When third-ranked Farrington (5-1, 4-0) and seventh-ranked Kahuku (5-1, 4-0) meet again tomorrow, it'll be the Red Raiders who figure to have an edge again thanks to home field. Farrington, however, has been on a roll, winning three in a row since a 24-10 loss to Saint Louis.

The Govs have generated a potent ground attack with running back Apelu So'oalo. The senior has rushed for 508 yards (5.6 per carry) behind an elite offensive line. In the West Coast offense, first-year starting quarterback Dayton Kealoha has been highly efficient with five touchdown passes and only one interception in 98 attempts. Drake Miller had a big game against Saint Louis (11 receptions), but has been smothered by defenses since and has only five catches in the last three games.

Farrington's defense has been the anchor. The 14 points by Kailua last week was only the second time the Govs have allowed more than seven points in a game. Kealoha delivered a game-winning touchdown toss in the final minute.

Kahuku, meanwhile, has a similar blueprint. The Red Raiders ran out of the I formation in last week's duel with Kaimuki, but like Kealoha, Kahuku quarterback Allan Kubota was clutch with a last-minute touchdown pass for the win.

So what's different this time? Kealoha saw action in last year's matchup as a backup, going 1-for-5 for 10 yards. Kubota didn't see action in the pocket.

So'oalo was still a linebacker at that time and Farrington rushed for 20 yards. Kahuku's backfield was boosted by St. John Lessary III, who tallied 88 yards. Lessary, one of the league's top place-kickers, has rushed for a team-high 331 yards (6.2 per attempt) this fall.

The Red Raiders also bank on Viliami Pasi (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) and Alapeti Magalei (5-9, 203) for production.

Farrington faces a big hurdle, no doubt. Miller would be a game-breaker in ordinary circumstances, but he'll face one of the state's best secondary units. Aulola Tonga, Jray Galeai and Irwin Ah-Hoy bring skills and experience to a defense that has allowed just 13 points in the last four games.

Here's a look at more matchups tomorrow.

Word of Life at No. 2 Punahou
The Buffanblu (4-1, 1-1) are feeling good again after a 28-6 win over Kamehameha last week. Word of Life brings its Double and Single Wing offenses to Alexander Field, but those schemes won't be unfamiliar to Punahou coach Kale Ane. It was Ane's late father, Charlie, who mastered the Single Wing at St. Anthony (where Shane Victorino was a quarterback) in the 1990s. In fact, two of Word of Life's plays—Charlie Left and Charlie Right—are named after Ane.

Waipahu at No. 4 Waianae
The Seariders have roared back from early nonconference losses (Farrington, Punahou). Using sturdy Danny Kekoanui with bulldozing Johnathan Ligsay and Eleu Wilson, Waianae (4-2, 4-0) has outscored foes 127-49 in the last four games. Last week's upset win at Leilehua was big, but the Seariders can't afford to overlook Waipahu (4-2, 2-2).

No. 5 Leilehua at Nanakuli

The Mules (5-1, 3-1) sustained their first loss last week (Waianae) since Andrew Manley became quarterback in midseason last year. Manley has passed for 1,362 yards and 10 touchdowns with just four picks, but the Mules need an effective ground attack to be at their best.

Mililani at No. 10 Kapolei
This is a pivotal game for both teams. Kapolei (4-3, 3-2) is relatively healthy, perhaps back to early-season form. Mililani (3-3, 3-1) has resurfaced from an 0-3 start with an inside track to a playoff berth in the Red West. Turnovers were the difference in last year's game. Kapolei had three, Mililani had one, and the Trojans won 23-7 on the Hurricanes' field.

Kaiser at Radford
The Rams (4-2, 4-1) are touch and go with injured quarterback Doug Brown (knee), but Mosiah Manuma filled in adequately in last week's win over Anuenue. Kaiser (3-3, 3-2) shut out Waialua last week and will need another stellar effort against Radford backs Tama Fiaseu and James Jennings.

Waiakea at Honokaa
The Dragons (3-2, 2-2) lost ground in the BIIF's Division I race after losing at Kealakehe last week. Waiakea is coming off its first win of the season. The Warriors topped Hilo 20-6 last week.

Ka'u at Kamehameha-Hawaii
The Trojans (0-3, 0-3) and Warriors (0-6, 0-3) are similar in the win column only. KS-Hawaii has endured a lethal nonconference slate and a string of close losses in BIIF play. Sheer willpower on the part of coach Jonathan Roddy and his staff have kept Ka'u on the field despite low numbers and the lack of a feeder program.