This is championship week for O'ahu high school football.

Unless you're defending state champion Punahou. The Buffanblu hope their time is next week.

No. 2 Kamehameha can clinch the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I crown with a win against No. 5 Punahou, 7:30 tonight at Aloha Stadium.

The Buffanblu (5-2) need to win tonight to tie the Warriors (6-1) for the league lead and force a playoff on Nov. 20.

Meanwhile, top-ranked Kahuku (10-0), the sole unbeaten among Division I teams in the state, will defend its O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red title against No. 3 Leilehua (8-2), 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.

Preceding that game is the OIA White championship between Moanalua (9-1) and 'Aiea (6-2) at 4:30.

Both OIA championships wil be televised live on OC 16.

ILH SHOWDOWN

The Buffanblu might need to win twice, but they don't see it in an adverse light.

"We look at it as an opportunity," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "Regardless how well we would've done earlier in the season, this is where we want to be, playing for a championship."

A factor that might be in Punahou's favor is that it's coming off a bye week, while the Warriors return just five days after a particularly physical 21-7 win against Saint Louis last Saturday.

"Our boys still have aches and pains from that Saint Louis game," Kamehameha coach David Stant said. "We're a little bit worried about that."

Kamehameha won the previous meeting, 28-10. But Punahou has made some changes since, such as employing a wildcat offense in which defensive back Jeremy Ioane lines up at quarterback (12.6 yards per pass from five attempts and 10 yards per rush in nine tries).

Still, Punahou must protect the ball — Kamehameha had an interception and two fumble recoveries in the last meeting — and keep Warriors — particularly running back Ryan Ho — from big offensive plays. Ho had runs of 61 yards (for a TD) and 66 yards against Punahou, but otherwise averaged 2.1 yards per carry on his 17 other attempts.

Kamehameha is looking for its first league crown since 2004 and 25th overall. Punahou has 27 ILH titles.

RED POWER

It doesn't get any closer when Kahuku meets Leilehua tomorrow.

The two powers split their previous four meetings — all in postseason — with the average margin of victory being 5.5 points. They last met in last year's state semifinals with Leilehua prevailing, 17-10 — in overtime.

The Mules are led by savvy veteran quarterback Andrew Manley, who is in his third postseason. He has become so adept at reading defenses that he has been allowed to call his own plays this season.

"We have to disguise," Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said. "We can't let Manley predetermine our defense."

Kahuku has one of the most athletic defenses outside of the ILH. It uses a three-man front — Division I prospects Kona Schwenke, Veteson Sauni and Hauoli Jamora — and mixes in blitzes.

Aiding Kahuku's defense is special teams. Kicker/punter Cameron Mercado is the closest thing to an automatic touchback on kickoffs. It's been hard for opponents to get any sort of favorable field position to a start series.

The Mules' defense has gone under the radar, but made nine points hold up against Farrington in last week's semifinals.

OIA RED CHAMPIONSHIP

Leilehua vs. Kahuku

7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium

Series: Kahuku leads, 34-18-1 (1-1 in OIA championships)

Leilehua (8-2), West first seed

Offense: Averages 346.2 yards per game. WR Kamana Akagi, with nearly three times as many receptions as his closest teammate, has become the go-to man for Manley.

Defense: Allows 253.4 yards per game.

Kahuku (10-0), East first seed

Offense: Averages 290.6 yards per game. RBs Tyrone Brown (513 yards) and Viliami Pasi (463 yards) have become the workhorses. Four of Kahuku's five interior offensive linemen are juniors, as is TE Shairone Thompson.

Defense: Allows 182.3 yards per game. The Red Raiders are especially tough against the run, only once allowing more than 100 yards to an opponent (Farrington).

WHITE REMATCH

For the second time in three weeks, 'Aiea takes on Moanalua, but this time for the league title.

Nä Menehune beat Nä 'Ali'i, 31-14, in their previous meeting Oct. 16 at Moanalua. But tomorrow's game at Aloha Stadium is not only at a neutral site, but nearly geographically in the middle of the two schools.

"At least we're not at 'Aiea," Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez said. "I think it will be anybody's game. Whoever makes the least mistakes and is able to play at a high level will come out in the end. Special teams might have to do a lot with it down in the end."

The last time, Moanalua running back Tahje Canyon rushed for 181 yards and two TDs. But quarterback Adam Francisco tagged on two rushing TDs off the option because of the threat Canyon presented.

"We tell our kids, when you play option teams, you have to play responsible football," 'Aiea coach Wendell Say said. "If not, it's going to mess everything up. The kids understand that now."

Expected to return is defensive tackle Lawrence Lagafuaina (6-1, 300), who missed the last meeting because of ankle injury.

OIA WHITE CHAMPIONSHIP

'Aiea vs. Moanalua

4:30 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium

Series: 'Aiea leads, 21-6

'Aiea (8-2), White second seed

Offense: Averages 252.5 yards per game. RBs Otto-Titan Salausa and Anae Vaa have combined for a little more than 900 yards rushing, while 6- 3 WR Kekoa Thompson has been the frequent target of QB Freddy Taliulu.

Defense: Allows 210.6 yards per game.

Moanalua (9-1), White first seed

Offense: Averages 291.1 yards per game. Aside from Canyon and Francisco, other threats include WRs Michael Egami and Essaye Villaver, each with four TD catches.

Defense: Allows 214.3 yards per game. DL Richard Villasenor has come up with big plays this season.

LAST CHANCE

Coming off tough semifinal losses last week, Castle plays Farrington for third place in the OIA Red and the final Division I state berth Saturday at Kaiser.

The Governors beat the Knights, 19-8, during the regular season. Farrington's defense dominated that game.

OIA THIRD PLACE

Castle vs. Farrington

To follow after 4 p.m. JV game Saturday at Kaiser

Series: Farrington leads, 17-13

Castle (6-4), East third seed

Offense: Averages 276.1 yards per game. QB Jaymason Lee has passed for 2,028 yards and 25 TDs, but six of his nine interceptions have occurred the past two weeks. All-purpose Shaydon Kehano (1,009 yards receiving, 17 TDs) has accounted for 37 percent of his team's receptions. RB/LB Garrett Paredes leads team with 486 rushing yards.

Defense: Allows 248.3 yards per game.

Farrington (8-2), East second seed

Offense: Averages 289.8 yards per game. RB Harry Tuimaseve (1,172 yards, 9 TDs) accounts for the bulk of the offensive punch.

Defense: Allows 146.7 yards per game.