'Iolani and Lahainaluna are successful undersized football teams, and they've gotten that way by using very different offensive philosophies.

'Iolani will use the pass-happy run-and-shoot offense, while Lahainaluna will keep it on the ground from the Wing-T formation.

'Iolani (5-6) and Lahainaluna (9-1) both are very good at what they do, and that's why they will play today in the final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II State Football Championships at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is 5 p.m.

'Iolani coach Wendell Look decided he wanted to air it out when he took over in 1991.

"It fits our players, our type of players," he said of the run-and-shoot offense. "We were either going to spread 'em out and throw the ball or spread 'em out and run the Navy/Paul Johnson-type of (triple-option) offense."

Lahainaluna coach Robert Watson went to the other extreme when he took over in 1989.

"It suits a school that doesn't have much size and that's basically why we went into it," he said of the Wing-T. "It's a misdirection, trapping game kind of (offense)."

Look and Watson are two of the three active Hawai'i high school coaches who have 100 or more wins.

'Iolani, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion and No. 2 seed, is led by Kela Marciel, who has completed 155 of 254 passes for 2,228 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.

His favorite target is Lionel Fujioka, who has 53 receptions for 882 yards and 10 touchdowns.

'Iolani will throw change-ups by handing the ball off to single setback Justin Yamamoto, who has 174 carries for 769 yards and 12 touchdowns.

"Our offense is geared to take what defenses give us and if they give us the pass, we'll take the pass," Look said. "If they give us the run, we'll take the run. It's based on what we see when we get out there."

Lahainaluna, the Maui Interscholastic League champion and No. 1 seed, beat Kaimuki, 52-20, last week. The Lunas surrendered 163 yards passing, but had four interceptions.

Despite this, Watson feels the Raiders' strength is his team's weakness.

"We really don't defend the pass very well," he said. "We're in a run-oriented league. Baldwin is about the only school that really throws the ball. It's going to be a tough one for us. They do a really good job of spreading the ball around."

Lahainaluna has run the ball 83 percent of the time this season (440 rushes/93 passes). It averages 6.1 yards per carry.

Kailas McGhee (79 rushes for 571 yards) will get the tough yards up the middle, while Blaise Smith (55 for 408) and Lake Casco (46 for 417) are solid perimeter runners.

"When we come out and sustain our blocks and get off the ball well, we end up making some yardage," Watson said.

'Iolani, which beat Kaua'i 35-21 Saturday, has a better run defense this season, according to Look.

"This year, we've been fortunate. We've been playing the run a little bit better than we have in the past," he said. "We have some size up front."

'Iolani's record might not look too appealing, but no DII school in the state can match its strength of schedule.

The Raiders played preseason games against O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference members Wai'anae and Kalaheo, and played ILH DI members Saint Louis, Punahou and Kamehameha during the regular season. They lost all five of the games with four of them coming by an average of less than nine points.

"It's a challenge for us to play these physical teams," Look said. "It's good for our kids. They can gain some confidence knowing they can play with bigger, physical teams."

Lahainaluna also played an integrated league schedule this season, and shut out 2 of the 3 MIL DI teams. The Lunas' only defeat came to DI member Baldwin, 23-20, in overtime Oct. 19.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.