A week after scaling one of its tallest mountains, the Punahou School football team has another tough hill to climb.

The Buffanblu, who defeated Saint Louis on Saturday for the first time in 10 years, face century-old rival Kamehameha tomorrow in another Interscholastic League of Honolulu showdown at Aloha Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., following a Division II clash between Damien and Iolani at 4:30.

Kamehameha (3-1 overall) enters its ILH opener ranked No. 1 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media. Punahou (4-0, 1-0) is ranked No. 2.

That makes this 161st meeting between the schools — a rivalry that started in 1903 — one of the biggest in recent memory.

"Everybody's excited," Buffanblu quarterback Brett Kan said after Wednesday's practice. "A lot of people have come up to us and said they'll be at the game."

The two teams are not likely to disappoint.

Both are riding impressive win streaks against extremely tough competition. Kamehameha, after a 16-0 loss to Kahuku, has since defeated Mililani, Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Leilehua. All four opponents are expected to challenge for their respective league titles.

Punahou, meanwhile, has defeated Kapolei, Kailua, Timpview (Provo, Utah) and Saint Louis. Kamehameha coach Doss Tannehill said he was particularly impressed with the Buffanblu's defensive effort against the Crusaders in last Saturday's 31-20 comeback victory.

"Saint Louis scored 50 points in back-to-back games (against Farrington and defending Utah 5A state champion Davis), and then Punahou holds them to 20," Tannehill said. "I thought they did a super job on defense."

The Buffanblu especially did well against the Crusaders' new rushing attack, which gained 280 yards against Davis but was held to 49 yards Saturday.

On offense, Kan rebounded after two first-half interceptions and finished with 232 yards and two touchdowns passing.

"I was a little nervous at the beginning and just needed to settle down and focus," he said. "After a while, I was able to get everything in sync."

Kan's favorite target continues to be junior Miah Ostrowski, who leads the state with 35 catches for 520 yards and five touchdowns.

They will be facing a Warriors defense that has allowed just six touchdowns in four games despite numerous injuries. Tannehill said yesterday many of those injuries have healed after the team's bye week.

All that should make for a game worthy of No. 1 vs. No. 2, and a major ILH showdown for the second straight week.

BIG-GAME WEEKEND

Kamehameha-Punahou is just one of many key league games this weekend.

Baldwin faces Lahainaluna tonight for the Maui Interscholastic League's first-round championship. Both teams are 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the MIL.

Either Damien (3-1, 1-0) or Iolani (3-1, 0-0) will take early control of the ILH's Division II race with a victory tomorrow.

In the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, Moanalua (4-0, 3-0) travels to Radford (3-1, 3-0) tomorrow in a White Conference showdown.

And in the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation, Kaua'i (2-1, 1-0) plays Waimea (1-2, 1-0) tonight at Hanapepe Stadium.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.