Kahuku, ranked No. 2 in The Advertiser's Top 10 statewide poll of coaches and media, plays No. 5 McKinley tonight at Mililani in a matchup of two teams vying for the East division championship.

And in the West, No. 9 Mililani travels to unranked but undefeated Pearl City in another big game.

Kickoff for both games is scheduled for 25 minutes after the 5 p.m. JV games.

Kahuku (3-0, 2-0 OIA) and McKinley (2-0, 1-0) players are no strangers, as the teams played for the league's JV title three years ago. Kahuku won that game, as well as last season's varsity meeting (they did not play each other in 2001).

"Our kids know these are the same guys, it's been on their minds the past three years," said first-year McKinley coach William Moeava, who was the Tigers' JV coach the previous three seasons. "Last year's game was close (14-13), and I think we outgained them yardage-wise but we made some mistakes. We remember that game well, too, because we had our chances."

But Moeava stressed that this year's Kahuku offense is much improved. The Red Raiders showed a well-balanced attack in a 45-0 victory over Roosevelt last Saturday, gaining 453 total yards (207 rushing, 246 passing).

"They can establish the run with that quick trap up the middle, but then they spread you out on the outside with that receiver (Spencer Hafoka)," Moeava said. "(Quarterback) Waika Carvalho is a very good passer, and he can move. Their offensive line is much better than last year; they execute and stay on their blocks longer. Their whole offense is way better than last year."

Moeava said defensively, Kahuku "is the same — tough all the way around."

The Tigers looked impressive in a 25-12 nonleague victory over Iolani, but survived a scare from Leilehua in their OIA opener, 21-14, two weeks ago. They had a bye last week.

"Give credit to Leilehua, because they played well, but we also shot ourselves in the foot in that game," Moeava said. "Our offense is not where we want it to be at this point."

Pearl City is where it has not been since 1986: off to a 3-0 start (2-0 OIA). The Chargers, who have not had a winning season in 17 years, have outscored opponents by an aggregate score of 122-6 so far.