Senior Stephen Harris pretty much epitomizes the typical Kaimuki football player this season.

"He's a total team player," Bulldogs coach Daniel Mafua said. "He's able to put the team before himself. It's been fun coaching him the last two years."

Harris is one of eight Bulldogs who will hardly see the sidelines when Kaimuki takes on cross-street foe 'Iolani in a First Hawaiian Bank State Football Division II Championship opening-round game 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Kozuki Stadium. It is Kaimuki's state football debut, while the defending state Division II champion Raiders are making their third consecutive tournament appearance.

Also pulling double duty with quarterback/safety Harris are running back/defensive back Joshwa Salvador, receiver/defensive back Christopher Etuale, linemen Peni Tafuna and Keone Reyes, and Maua Tuitele, Dolly Ainuu and James Bower, all of whom play running back and linebacker. Who knows how much better they could perform if they only played on one side of the ball.

"If we were to only have one position — if we had the numbers — we'd be a great team," Harris said.

But such is the life of being a Bulldog, even dating to when Mafua starred at his alma mater from the 1985 and '86 seasons.

"Even back when I was playing the numbers were still 30, 33 kids," said Mafua, a 1987 graduate. "We still play that same style of football: just bite down and go out there and play with all you got."

Harris hasn't been on any team with more than 40 players. Even through Pop Warner for the Kaimuki Eagles and Palolo Vikings, he said his teams had few players, so he wasn't shocked when he reached high school.

"It was always a small bunch where ever I went," he said. "Pop Warner helped out a lot because it's been the same, 25-30 guys on the team."

Instead of dwelling over what could've been with a bigger team, he believes playing two ways will only make it easier when he continues playing in college.

"When you go to college, most guys stick to one position," he said.

What is impressive about the Bulldogs is that no one player really stands out, at least statistically. Not once has a Bulldog shown up in the weekly top 10 stat leaders. But four have rushed for more than 200 yards: Chase Nanod (211), Ainuu (225), Bower (257) and Perry Faleau (203). Only two players have double-digit receptions: Etuale (15 catches for 216 yards) and Bower (13 for 179).

Even Harris has modest passing stats at 12 for 37 for 228 yards and five touchdowns. Junior Kapono Kaiwi Barrenuebo, who has taken more snaps during the season at quarterback, is 49 of 123 for 610 yards, still not numbers that stand out.

The only stat the Bulldogs are concerned about is the number of wins. Two of their more crucial wins came against Kaiser, the White top seed in the OIA tournament. The Cougars had only two losses in the OIA — both to the Bulldogs, who were the fourth seed in the White tournament. Kaimuki won the regular-season meeting, 13-12, then ousted Kaiser, 26-13, in the semifinals.

"We have a big rivalry with Kaiser," Harris said. "They ran all over us last year. It was good to get 'em back. They said after we played them the first time that they weren't prepared and we were lucky to win the game. After that, we felt we sort of had to make a statement. (The semifinal) was a really special game because if we won that game, we knew we'd go to states and the (OIA) championship."

With the state tournament up, the Bulldogs find themselves, well, underdogs. They are facing the defending state champions in their backyard. The Raiders have an elusive quarterback in Ryan Dung and some speedy receivers. But most of all, 'Iolani won't have eight two-way players performing under the afternoon sun.

"I'm just glad we have this opportunity to continue our season for these kids," Mafua said. "I'm glad for them to play and to gain this kind of experience in the state tournament. Whether it's at 'Iolani or Radford (the original site), we still gotta play the game. We'll be ready."

Still, whatever the outcome, Mafua hopes this team's success will spark interest in the program in seasons to come. After all, the Bulldogs want to eventually return to the Red or Division I.

"We're hoping that there's more kids," Mafua said. "We know there's kids in the hallways. All in all, we just want to keep the interest of the game alive at Kaimuki."

NOTE

Although Kaimuki High is a punt away from 'Iolani School, the Bulldogs will travel by bus for Saturday's game. Kaimuki athletic director Fred Lee said it is more a safety issue. The 35 players would have to walk along Date Street, cross it and navigate their way through La'au Street to get through the back way to 'Iolani's stadium. Besides, the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association is footing the bus bill.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.