Maybe Kamehameha-Maui should distinguish itself from the other two Kamehameha campuses and call itself the Road Warriors.

The Maui Interscholastic League Division II champions are traveling to their second island in as many weeks when it plays O'ahu Interscholastic Association White champion Radford in a semifinal of the First Hawaiian Bank state football Division II tournament. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Saturday at John Velasco Stadium.

The Warriors (6-6) advanced by beating Kaua'i, 14-7, last Friday at Hanapepe Stadium in the opening round, while the Rams (8-2) drew a bye. The Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation had been 4-0 in first-round games of the state tournament on the Garden Isle before the Warriors' win. This is the second consecutive year a team is making two Neighbor Island trips in the same tournament. Hawai'i Prep did it last year.

But the Warriors aren't worriers. What more could a second-year varsity program that went 0-8 last season ask?

"To prolong our season, it feels good," Warriors coach Leo Delatori said.

The Warriors are on a roll, having won four in a row after a 2-6 start.

"We see a very big, physical team," said Radford coach Fred Salanoa, whose staff went to scout the game on Kaua'i last weekend. "They have a lot of size. They like to play smash-mouth football. We have to make sure our defense is on their 'A' game, being disciplined and sticking to their assignments."

Kamehameha runs the option behind quarterback Keahi Raikes. That means each player on defense is assigned to either the quarterback, fullback or tailback.

"We take advantage of what the defense gives," Delatori said. "If they give us the fullback, then we give it to the fullback."

Fullback Kaui Owan led all rushers with 64 yards on 13 carries against Kaua'i. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry during the MIL season. Tailback Shane Kamakaokalani was the team's leading rusher with 543 yards, third-best in the MIL. Leading the way is guard/tackle Walter Kahaiali'i, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound senior who is drawing interest from Pac-10 and Mountain West schools, Delatori said.

But the Warriors will be facing a Rams defense that has allowed double-digit scoring only three times this season. Ends Russell Wantowski and Vasa Kuresa, as well as linebackers Fil Samson and Bronson Leafa, lead the quick-moving defense.

Meanwhile, the Rams will have to do without quarterback Ryan Burciaga. The left-hander injured his collarbone in the 9-7 win against Moanalua in the OIA White championship. Justin Lord, who started at receiver, finished the game at quarterback.

"Obviously, there are some things that Ryan does that Justin isn't up to par in doing," Salanoa said. "It minimizes our playbook. But there are some things Justin does better than Ryan. It doesn't change our base offense."

Burciaga passed for 1,391 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Lord had just 10 pass attempts with four completions.

With Lord at quarterback, the Rams lose their leading receiver. Lord led the team with 22 receptions for 317 yards. But Radford still has three other receivers with double-digit catches in Kyle Blair (16 for 232), Shane Masaniai (14-195) and Joe Brundidge (11-186).

The Rams can keep it safe on the ground with tailback Alex Daniels, who has 873 yards and 13 rushing TDs and two via passes.

"They've got an amazing running back with a lot of speed," said Delatori, who has seen Daniels on tape traded with Radford, as well as on OC-16 telecasts.

The Warriors' defense is led by linebacker Preston Gannon, who averages about 10.5 tackles per game, and defensive back Alepaki Kailiehu-Shinyama, who has seven interceptions on the season.

Although the Rams are at home, they're expecting strong support for the Warriors, especially from their O'ahu campus. Kamehameha-Hawai'i enjoyed some of that support last week at Moanalua. A large Kamehameha banner was displayed on one of the condominiums that faces the stadium.

"It's always an advantage to play at home," Salanoa said. "But it comes down to the two teams playing. You have to forget where you're playing. I'm gearing up our team to be ready for the Kamehameha-O'ahu fans who will come and support Kamehameha-Maui."

The winner plays the winner of Saturday's Iolani-Moanalua semifinal for the Division II championship Dec. 2.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.