The road to the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red football championship runs through California Avenue in Wahiawa.

And a team in green and gold is hoping lightning can strike twice.

Make that two teams.

East fourth seed Kaimuki will travel to West top seed Leilehua in a quarterfinal of the OIA Red tournament tonight at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.

Both schools have similar colors. The Bulldogs (5-4) are hoping to pull off what the Mules (7-1) did last season en route to the Red and Division I state titles.

Six other teams have the same dream, too, in three other quarterfinals around the island tonight. All four quarterfinal games are elimination games.

Also, the top four teams in the OIA White square off in semifinals tonight. The winners will earn Division II state berths, while the losers pack their equipment.

KAIMUKI VS. NO. 5 LEILEHUA

WHERE: Hugh Yoshida Stadium

WHEN: Roosevelt vs. Leilehua JV at 5 p.m. today, varsity to follow.

WHAT: A season ago, this was the week quarterback Andrew Manley made his varsity debut for the Mules, setting the stage for their storybook season.

"Our pieces are coming together this year and last year, we were still trying to put them together," Mules coach Nolan Tokuda said. "It's pretty together already (this season), so we feel pretty confident going into this game."

Ironically, the Mules are an inspiration to the Bulldogs, who see Leilehua's run last season as hope for the underdog.

"You always use that as a stepping stone," Kaimuki coach Darren Johnson said. "That's why they have playoffs. Anything can happen and that's why they play the game."

The Bulldogs were promoted from the Division II White, but are as physical as any Red team. The Mules will be the best passing team they will have faced since an 11-8 loss to 'Iolani in nonleague play. The Bulldogs have kept each opponent, save for 'Iolani, to under 100 yards passing.

Manley, who went 5-0 in postseason last year, comes into the game leading Division I passers with 2,115 yards. He has exhibited command of his throws by putting passes where he wants them, much like a baseball pitcher.

All of Leilehua's key weapons are healthy in wide receiver Edieson Dumlao and running back Rico Newman.

The Bulldogs have threats of their own in QB Nainoa Hiapo (932 yards, sixth in D1), RB Justin Paderes (583 yards) and receivers Chris Fiamate, Trendt Marsom and Desmond Tautofi.

The only issue Kaimuki might face is that some of its key offensive players also play defense.

Meanwhile, the Mules are taking the same approach as last year. They are letting their players enjoy the moment rather than worry about this being a do-or-die weekend.

"If we keep playing well, we get to play the next week," Tokuda said. "If not, then we pack up the season and say it was a pretty good year."

NO. 10 KAPOLEI VS. NO. 6 FARRINGTON

WHERE: Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium

WHEN: 7:30 tonight. (OC 16)

WHAT: The winner plays the winner of Kaimuki-Leilehua.

The Hurricanes (5-3) and Governors (6-2) are coming off byes, so each should be recharged. They are similar teams in terms of rushing-to-passing ratio (each at about 2:1).

Kapolei has some productive RBs in Simione Vehikite (10.0 yards per rush) and Cyril Ontai (11.3), while Farrington has some receiving threats in Drake Miller and Ani Isumu.

Note: Kapolei at Mililani JV is 2 p.m. tomorrow.

MILILANI VS. NO. 4 KAHUKU

WHEN: Waipahu vs. Kahuku JV, 5 p.m. today, varsity to follow.

WHERE: Carleton Weimer Field

WHAT: The Trojans (5-4) are actually on a roll, having won five of their last six, while the Red Raiders (7-1) are well-rested having byes in the past two weekends.

Both teams have some very versatile talents. Kahuku RB St. John Lessary (6.1 yards per carry) also kicks (2 FGs), while Mililani RB/SB Taz Stevenson is second on his team in rushing (167 yards, 6 TDs) and first in receiving (251 yards, 1 TD). He also has an 80-yard kickoff return for a TD.

Kahuku's defense has been pretty solid, holding opponents to under a touchdown or fewer in five of eight games.

CASTLE VS. NO. 9 WAI'ANAE

WHERE: Raymond Torii Field

WHEN: Castle vs. Wai'anae JV, 5 p.m. today, varsity to follow.

WHAT: Winner plays winner of Mililani-Kahuku.

Strange how the matchups play out. The Knights (4-4) and Seariders (4-4) each come in having lost their last two games of the regular season.

Wai'anae's offense has stuttered of late, averaging 15.5 points in the two losses. RB Danny Kekoanui does it all with 762 yards rushing and 162 passing, leading his team in both categories.

Castle is without QB Blake Rapozo (collarbone), so former OL/LB Jaysen Ferreira replaces him.

'AIEA VS. RADFORD

WHERE: John Velasco Stadium

WHEN: Kalaheo vs. Radford JV, 5 p.m., varsity to follow.

WHAT: The Rams (7-2) smoked Na Ali'i (6-3), winners of five in a row.

'Aiea has been playing strong defense most of the season, except against Radford (46-9 loss) and Campbell (40-7 loss).

Radford's only losses are to D1 Leilehua and Kalaheo.

KALAHEO VS. CAMPBELL

WHERE: Campbell stadium

WHEN: Kaiser vs. Campbell JV 5 p.m., varsity to follow

WHAT: The Sabers (8-1) beat the Mustangs (7-2), 34-15, only two weeks ago, so this rematch is fresh.

The teams each have exciting QBs. Campbell's Lalo Respicio has taken to first-year coach Amosa Amosa's run-and-shoot offense by turning in a 195 passing efficiency and 2,106 yards with 25 TDs. The Sabers have three receivers with 473 yards or more receiving.

Kalaheo QB Phil Tauai is a two-way threat with 951 yards passing with five TDs and 556 yards rushing with 10 TDs.