With that, Livai said senior running back Micah Strickland will not play in tomorrow's O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red semifinal against No. 8 Leilehua for violating unspecified team rules. Strickland is the most proficient rusher in the state, averaging 17.4 yards per carry in just 46 carries for the top-ranked Red Raiders (8-1)

"The reason my starting lineups shift so much is because my kids know it's not how good you are," Livai said. "My No. 3 (running back) is doing his homework and takes care of himself off and on the field, so he plays. I don't care how good you are. If you're not doing things you should be doing, you're not going to play or you get very limited play."

Livai said punishments vary depending on the severity of the problem and if the player comes forward before he hears about it from another source. He said Strickland was forthcoming. Livai said some punishments limit a player's playing time because he wants that to be a motivational factor. He said at least 20 times this season a player has come forth after violating a team rule.

Strickland did not play in the past two games — the last because of a shoulder injury, Livai said after the 32-8 quarterfinal win against 'Aiea — and the Red Raiders won handily. That's because Kahuku has backups who could start elsewhere, like Kamuela Alisa (5.3 yards per carry) and Siaosi Lauhingoa (9.9). Put too much emphasis in stopping the run, quarterback Bronson Ponciano-Ahue and receiver Spencer Hafoka will do damage with the pass. The Mules know what they're up against.

"I told them they don't have to play perfect football," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said. "Just play good football and we should do well."

Although 11 starters (5 on offense, 6 on defense) are first-year varsity players, Tokuda said they have experience playing in big games. The Mules lost to the Red Raiders, 38-29, in last year's JV championship. Tokuda coached that team and moved up with his players this season.

"I told them when we got to the varsity, that's where it counts," Tokuda said. "If we want a chance to (avenge the JV loss), I told them to be prepared this year."

The young Mules (8-1) have responded well so far. Their only loss has been to West champion Mililani. They are certainly happy to be playing on Aloha Stadium's FieldTurf after last Saturday's mud bath that produced a 7-6 win against Farrington.

The Mules run a pass-oriented offense, which was hard with a muddy football. Quarterback Bryant Moniz is among the leading passers in the state with 1,906 yards and 20 TD passes. Wide receivers Chustin Senas (6 feet 1) and Anthony Palomares (6-2) will be challenged by a talented Kahuku secondary led by All-State cornerback Al Afalava (6-2).

The Red Raiders are trying to advance to the OIA title game for the sixth time in the last seven years. The Mules haven't reached the title game since 1984, the last time they won the OIA.

Kickoff is about 7 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

No. 2 Mililani (9-0) vs. No. 7 Castle (7-2)

The Trojans are the only unbeaten and untied team left in the state and are trying to make their first OIA championship appearance. But the Knights, despite injuries, have continued to persevere. Although two-time all-state linebacker Blaze Soares has been hampered by a knee injury, he has still been blitzing quarterbacks and chasing ball carriers down field.

"He's still all over the place," Mililani coach James Millwood said. "He's a tough kid and we always have to worry about where he is at on the field. He's always around the ball."

What adds to Castle's success has been special teams. Last week, Ethan Gonsalves booted three field goals in the Knights' 16-6 win that eliminated Kapolei. Gonsalves, also a receiver with one TD catch, leads the team in scoring with 53 points. He has seven field goals, but it's not just the 3-pointers that worry Millwood.

When Castle lost quarterback Bryce Kalauaoaka'aea to injury, Louis Mansanas and Jordan Nakayama shared time. But Nakayama, with only three years of organized football, played the entire game last week, freeing Mansanas to his original slotback position.

"Although he plays a demanding position, he has gotten better every week," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "He's more aware of what's going on now."

The Trojans have weapons of their own. Quarterback Maka Kahoano has passed for 11 touchdowns to three interceptions, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. Receiver Jon Santos has 31 of Kahoano's 61 pass completions for 615 yards and seven TDs. Running back Kekoa Perbera has 787 yards and 11 TDs rushing.

"Mililani reminds of the Wai'anae of old," Maeda said. "They like to run the ball and they mix it up with their passing game."

Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.

Big Island

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation begins tournament play to determine its state berths.

In Division I action, Kea'au travels to Kealakehe Saturday for a 7 p.m. semifinal. The winner plays top-seeded Hilo for the BIIF Division I title, which also comes with a state Division I berth. That game will be played Nov. 13 at Wong Stadium.

In Division II, Kamehameha plays at Konawaena, 7 p.m. tomorrow. The winner plays at top-seeded Hawai'i Prep for the Division II championship at 2 p.m. Nov. 13. That winner goes to the Division II state tournament.

DIVISION II

Four of the six state Division II berths have been settled.

The O'ahu Interscholastic Association will be represented by Waipahu and Campbell. The two meet for the OIA White championship Nov. 12 at Aloha Stadium. The winner gets the OIA's higher state berth.

Also clinching berths are Iolani of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and Kaua'i of the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation.

Maui and the BIIF have yet to determine their representatives. The MIL Division II representative can be determined tomorrow when Pac-Three plays Kamehameha at War Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. If Pac-Three, which won the first-round game, wins, it will be the Division II champion and get the state berth. If Kamehameha wins, the teams will play again for the title Nov. 12 at War Memorial.

Correction

Waipahu running back Krypton Taito was inadvertently left off the state's rushing leader list in Tuesday's paper. Taito is ranked fourth with 120 carries for 897 yards, seven touchdowns and a 7.5-yards per carry average.