CASTLE KNIGHTS

History: Started 1947 (265-298-14); records from 1940-46 incomplete

2005: 6-3, East champion, eliminated in OIA quarterfinals

Coach: Nelson Maeda, 10th season at Castle (54-42-1), 12th overall (58-57-3)

Players to watch: OL/DL Cody Daniel (6-2, 207, Jr.), OL/DL Cory Esperas (5-11, 220, Sr.), SB/DB Seth Estioko (5-11, 165, Sr.), RB/LB Andrew Fakatoka (5-10, 230, Sr.), SB/DB Jesse Humalon (5-9, 160, Sr.), OL/DL Patrick Kapahu (6-1, 230, Sr.), WR/DB Scott Keiter-Charles (5-9, 172, Sr.), SB/DB Bronson Kekahuna (5-5, 155, Jr.), OG/DL Solomon Koelher (6-3, 318, Jr.), OL/LB Lolegi Ma'ae (5-10, 210, Sr.), WR/LB Corey Paredes (5-11, 203, Sr.), SB/DB Kaleo Silva (5-7, 153, Sr.), DL Blake Soares (5-11, 202, Sr.), RB/LB Damian Spotkaeff (5-8, 170, Sr.), QB Bryson Ukauka (5-10, 175, Sr.).

Outlook: As usual, the Knights will rely heavily on conditioning and team speed to make up for a general lack of size. "We have a little more beef compared to other years, but we're still a typical, undersized Castle team," Maeda said. The Knights return five starters on offense and three on defense, but a number of other returnees saw significant playing time last season. Paredes is a ball-hawking linebacker, and Keiter-Charles is another three-year starter.

FARRINGTON GOVERNORS

History: Started 1938 (384-289-22)

2005: 5-7, East tied for third; OIA fourth place overall

Coach: Randall Okimoto, fifth season (23-24-1)

Players to watch: LB Timothy Fa'atea (5-11, 216, Sr.), QB Elijah Filifili (6-1, 175, Sr.), DL Sam Fehoko (6-2, 220, Sr.), LB Tupou Kuliha'apai (5-11, 175, Sr.), OL Fetalaiga Fatu (6-4, 320, Sr.), WR Elijah Lesu (5-10, 175, Sr.), DL Andrew Noga (6-2, 230, Sr.), WR Maeli Siliga (5-11, 170, Sr.), RB Hercules Sula (5-9, 165, Sr.), DL T.J. Olomua (6-0, 260, Sr.), OL Manusokai Tonga (6-0, 260, Sr.), DL Laoleamiotonu Tuimaleali'ifano (6-2, 260, Sr.).

Outlook: With eight starters back on offense and six on defense, the Govs are looking at this as a "payoff" year. They have size, talent and experience at almost every position. Filifili quarterbacked Farrington into last year's semifinals, and Sula was an elusive back who helped steady the ground game.

KAHUKU RED RAIDERS

History: Started 1951 (394-199-14); records from 1940-50 incomplete

2005: 11-1, OIA Red champion, Division I state champion

Coach: Reggie Torres, first season

Players to watch: DL Malone Fiso (6-2, 260, Sr.), DL Nai Fotu (5-11, 242, Sr.), LB Sifa Heimuli (5-11, 210, Sr.), OL Benji Kemoeatu (6-3, 315, Jr.), OL John Manu-0levao (6-3, 320, Sr.), FS Gary Nagy (6-2, 180, Sr.), LB Kulia Pickard, (5-11, 190, Jr.), OL Ross Salanoa (6-1, 258, Sr.), TE Anthony Si'ilata (6-2, 285, Jr.), LB Siaosi Tafuna (5-11, 210, Sr.), Pita Tanuvasa (5-10, 200, Sr.), SS/TB Shiloah Te'o (5-11, 190, Jr.), CB Richard Torres (5-8, 150, Sr.), DL Kaniela Tuipulotu (6-2, 290, Sr.).

Outlook: Contender. Despite losing most of their offensive starters, the Red Raiders just reload. New running backs emerge and pick up where the previous year's left off. Defensively, Torres believes he has three down linemen who are Division I prospects, with Tuipulotu being the blue chipper. Alema Tachibana is just a junior, but already is stirring college coaches' interest, Torres said. Kahuku will carry about 95 players. "We'll be a competitive team," Torres said.

KAILUA SURFRIDERS

History: Started 1955 (316-224-13)

2005: 3-6, East tied for third; eliminated in OIA quarterfinals

Coach: Gary Rosolowich, third season (7-12-1)

Players to watch: QB Zach Akamine (5-10, 170, Sr.), WR Shaun Forges (6-0, 165, Sr.), Travis Holeso-Wolfe (5-8, 180, Sr.), OG Alika Kealoha, DB Tim Maghinay (5-9, 145, Sr.), MLB Billy Oden (5-10, 175, Jr.), OG Roycen Shepherd, WR Darren Sugimoto (5-11, 160, Sr.).

Outlook: Only three starters return on offense and just one on defense, so the Surfriders lack experience. As many as 12 sophomores are expected to contribute. Rosolowich said Akamine, a converted receiver, is "very talented; how well he does will determine a lot." He added that the offense will feature "a big mix of pass and run, so everybody will have a chance to get the ball." Another key is the offensive line, where sophomores will play a prominent role. Forges is a four-year varsity player who started as a freshman at Kalaheo.

KALAHEO MUSTANGS

History: Started 1974 (145-153-7)

2005: 3-5, White tied for fourth

Coach: Chris Mellor, first season

Players to watch: WR/DB Bruce Andrews (6-0, 180, Jr.), WR/DB Donovan Correa (5-8, 160, Sr.), Aaron Ha (6-3, 275, Sr.), C/DL Dillan Hanawahine (5-10, 225, Jr.), LB Max Karsten (5-10, 180, Jr.), LB Ayrton Kehrer (5-10, 175, Jr.), TE Kao Malama-Custer (6-1, 190, Jr.), MLB Aka Poole (5-9, 205, Sr.), OT/DT Jacob Purdy (6-1, 230, Sr.), RB/DB Koa Siliga (5-10, 170, Sr.), QB Cody vonAppen (5-9, 165, Jr.).

Outlook: The Mustangs return five starters on offense, three on defense. Mellor said vonAppen, who was the starting quarterback last year as a sophomore, has "been amazing" in his running of the veer-option offense. "He understands everything about what we're trying to do." Linebackers Kehrer and Karsten have made an immediate impact, and tight end Malama-Custer has been another key newcomer.

MCKINLEY TIGERS

History: 1921-present (380-381-31); records from 1903-1920 incomplete

2005: 2-6, East tied for sixth

Coach: Bobby Grey, first season

Players to watch: SB Alan Hashimoto (5-8, 152, Sr.), ILB Isaac Iuta (6-0, 212, Sr.), LB Keawe Kalama (6-0, 207, Sr.), QB Tilton Kaluna (6-1, 211, Sr.), LB Mike Lekona (6-2, 211, Sr.), SB/CB Josh Nakama (5-11, 151, Sr.), WR Ervin Sione (6-4, 191, Jr.), DL Josiah Togiai (5-8, 271, Sr.), SS James Ubias (5-8, 162, Sr.), FS Josh Ward (5-11, 187, Sr.).

Outlook: With a new coach and no more than four starters back on both offense and defense, the Tigers will have a learning curve to deal with. But Grey, son of former McKinley standout Chester "Ghost" Grey, said "a lot of teams are at the same level; we'll come out and play tough in the Red." Grey said Kaluna, a returning starter, is "bigger and stronger" this year. Iuta is a transfer from Nanakuli.

MOANALUA NA MENEHUNE

History: Started 1973 (102-209-8)

2005: 9-3, White divisional co-champion; White second overall; eliminated in Division II state semifinals

Coach: Arnold Martinez, fourth season (16-13)

Players to watch: TE/DL Savai'i Eselu (6-3, 245, Sr.), LB T.J. Costa (5-6, 145, Jr.), QB Jordan Monico (5-10, 190, Sr.), SB Jarin Salvador-Atabay (5-5, 144, Sr.), LB Eric Quinn (5-11, 166, Jr.), LB Michael Garringan (5-8, 180, Jr.).

Outlook: Hit hard by graduation, losing All-State all-purpose player Stanford Leti and linebacker Quinton Tang, White Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Monico moves from running back to QB.