Such a statement 12 or 13 years ago would have been akin to saying snow is likely to fall atop Diamond Head.

Pearl City coach Onosai Tanuvasa said in previous years a trip to Wai'anae for Chargers fans was "basically to buy a hot dog and soda," never mind expecting a victory.

The Seariders won all 19 meetings between the schools from 1973 (Pearl City's inaugural season) to 1991. Wai'anae won, 7-6, in 1986, 14-13 in 1978 and 13-6 in 1973, but every other game in the series was decided by 11 or more points.

In their last five meetings, the Chargers lost by an aggregate score of 183-7.

The teams haven't met since 1991 due to the power-based classification that kept them in separate conferences. But now Pearl City (5-1 overall, 4-1 OIA) not only is in the same top-tier Red Conference as the Seariders (2-3, 2-2), the Chargers are still in the hunt for a West Division title.

"We want to make history," Tanuvasa said.

Pearl City already made it this week by cracking The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll (at No. 10) for what is believed to be the first time ever. And yet, Tanuvasa said history remains an obstacle.

"The toughest job for me is feeding these kids mentally and making them believe in themselves," said Tanuvasa, who guided the Chargers to a 5-3 record last year, their first winning record since 1986. "Before, they would look at the past results and already make up their mind that they would lose. And it was hard to convince them otherwise because it never happened any other way."

But now the tables have turned, and it's Pearl City that is likely playoff-bound and thinking championship.

"They have a good coaching staff and are building a good program," Wai'anae coach Danny Matsumoto said. "We've seen them, and they're talented. Their quarterback (Jensen Cabanero) has a good arm and is real agile, and they have a balanced attack because they can run, too."

The Seariders, meanwhile, are trying to rekindle the mystique of a program that won 17 OIA crowns from 1966-1997. This year's team has had its ups and downs, losing to Kapolei of the White Conference, 28-0, in a non-league game and falling to Kahuku, 36-0, in the OIA opener. But Wai'anae also looked impressive in a 39-8 win over Nanakuli and a 34-13 victory over Waipahu last week.

"We just don't know which Wai'anae team will show up," Matsumoto said. "But the pressure's on us now, and they feel it."

That is what concerns Tanuvasa, especially going into Raymond Torii Stadium, in front of a traditionally loud and loyal crowd that is part of one of Hawai'i's best football atmospheres.

"We have a lot of respect for that program and their reputation, and now we're going into their living room," Tanuvasa said. "I would never count that out, because this is an emotional game and sometimes when everything else fails, that's all that's left. You never want to wake up the giant."

Of course, if Pearl City wins, the Chargers might finally be considered giants themselves.

• Nominate an athlete: If you want to notify The Honolulu Advertiser about the exploits of a Hawai'i high school player or players, give us a call or e-mail us.

Coaches must call Wes Nakama at 535-2456 or e-mail to reps@honoluluadvertiser.com by 6 p.m. Sunday.

Deserving candidates will be listed in Tuesday's Honolulu Advertiser "High Schools" page. Please leave a call back number. If you have a head shot photo, e-mail it to the aforementioned address.