There probably aren't two teams in the league that went to the school of hard knocks like these two.

In fact, there was a time when the Kailua Surfriders looked like a jinxed team. After losing at Kahuku in the season opener, the 'Riders lost 21-20 to Damien in a nonconference game, 21-20 to McKinley, 21-14 to Kaimuki, and for good measure, fell to Farrington 17-14 on a last-second touchdown pass.

By then, Kailua was 0-5 (0-4 in conference play) and any semblance of the playoffs seemed invisible.

Since then, the Surfriders saw something like the law of averages assert itself. They won a close one at Roosevelt, 12-7, and then edged rival Castle 21-20—yes, that same old score again—to finish ahead of McKinley for that fifth and final playoff berth in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East.

“;We've been in a battle to the end in virtually every game. The kids have been refined by the fire,”; Kailua coach Gary Rosolowich said. “;When we hadn't won a game at all, you're concerned, but the kids stayed together and rose to the occasion.”;

Now, with a sturdy defense and deep rotation at running back, Kailua could become the darling of all Cinderella teams.

Then again, that darling could be Mililani, the fourth seed in the Red West.

With a preseason No. 9 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, expectations were high in Central Oahu. A tough nonconference schedule, however, made life tough for a team searching for a new leader at quarterback. A retooled defensive unit struggled in losses to Castle and Saint Louis, but showed signs of improvement in a 24-13 loss at Leilehua.

By then, there were some sagging spirits, but the Trojans pushed through.

“;These young men said we're not going to quit. We're going to keep fighting,”; Mililani coach Darnell Arceneaux said. “;I always want our program to be the best, so we have to play the best and take our lumps early. Coach (Cal) Lee and his staff did that when I played (at Saint Louis). We took our lumps but it made us better in the long run.”;

With elusive Iosua Manuma calling the signals, the Trojans have won four of their last five games, including last week's 20-16 stunner at Waianae. Mililani's defense has surrendered just 48 points in that span (9.6 per game).

Mililani is deep at running back. Kekai Trout had 17 carries for 54 tough yards against Waianae. The gamebreaker, though, is versatile Dalaunte “;Taz”; Stevenson, who had five receptions for a season-high 116 yards, including the go-ahead score, against the Seariders.

“;They have a great athlete in Taz Stevenson and Coach Arceneaux has done a really good job of keeping their offense to the point where you've got to prepare for a lot of things,”; Rosolowich said. “;That takes time and puts a new kind of pressure on what has to get done during the week.”;

Kailua's offense has developed gradually since the loss of quarterback Kenny Ellis to injury in a preseason scrimmage. Isaac Sato rushed for a season-high 112 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Castle. Bob Lastimosa has been a rock at quarterback, with only one interception in his last three games.

Lastimosa's top targets are Kapena Alameda (15 receptions, 180 yards, two touchdowns) and Corey Lau (13, 219, three scores).

“;Kailua played in a lot of tough, close games. Their ability to play in close games is kind of like us,”; Arceneaux said. “;They have a great coaching staff and the kids are battle tested. Whenever you play a Kailua team, your chinstrap better be on tight.”;

Arceneaux is convinced the postseason is about imposing one's will in the trenches.

“;Playoff football is about running the ball and playing great defense. It's about playing complete games,”; he said. “;These seniors, they have to put all four years of their experience into every play.”;

Word of Life vs. No. 2 Saint Louis

This will be the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. The Firebrands (2-5, 0-5), loaded with sophomores who won the ILH intermediate title a year ago, are in learning mode. Saint Louis (5-1, 3-1) is mired in a web of title contenders at the top of the league standings. Jeremy Higgins has thrown for 1,505 yards, 15 touchdowns and two picks.

Pac-Five vs. No. 5 Kamehameha

By the time the Wolfpack met the Warriors in mid-October last season, the wear and tear were apparent. Kamehameha's deep, physical linemen took command in a 42-6 win. This year's Warriors (5-3, 2-2) are physical, but rely more on quickness and speed. P.J. Minaya will need time to get Pac-Five's wide-open offense revving. Pac-Five (3-5, 1-4) doesn't necessarily need a huge game from Minaya (18 touchdown passes, 1,743 yards) to stay close. The 'Pack need some ball control, which is a little tougher without a dynamic ground attack.

Campbell at Kaiser

The proud Cougars (3-5, 3-4) saw their playoff hopes dissipate in a 13-12 loss to Moanalua last week, but they will hardly be easy fare for the visiting Sabers. Junior Jesse Kauhola and sophomore Jarrin Inagaki can be dangerous running backs when the Cougars keep the score close.

Campbell (7-1, 6-1) slinger Lalo Respicio has passed for 1,366 yards, 16 touchdowns and two interceptions in five games. Four receivers—Samson Anguay, Arthur Aiwohi, Daniel Masifilo and Derrick Santiago—have at least 15 receptions each.

KS-Hawaii at Hawaii Prep

The Warriors' record (1-6, 1-3 BIIF D-II) is deceiving. The Warriors, in rebuilding mode, nearly beat Baldwin in a nonconference game early on. HPA (4-1, 3-1) won its second-round opener last week, but won't be looking past Kamehameha-Hawaii. Ka Makani won the first-round matchup 27-20.

Honokaa at Keaau

Keaau (3-4, 3-2 BIIF D-I) opened the second round last week with a 39-0 win over Waiakea. Honokaa, however, fell 20-0 to Hilo in a game marred by a fracas with 2 minutes left to play. After two lopsided wins to open the season, the Dragons (3-4, 2-3) have slumped yet are still in contention.