Big doesn't necessarily equate to better in Big Island Interscholastic Federation football.

"It's quite even for the most part," Kohala coach Belden Kealoha said. "There's not too much difference between the small and big schools."

Division I, or schools with large enrollments, is made up of Hilo, Kea'au, Kealakehe and Waiakea. The Division II, or smaller enrollment schools, consists of Hawai'i Prep, Honoka'a, Kamehameha, Ka'u, Kohala and Konawaena.

But it was HPA, the defending Division II champion, that gave the BIIF its first win in the six-year history of the state tournament. Although Ka Makani are rebuilding, they are still considered contenders.

"Never count HPA out," Kealoha said. "They always replenish people."

"We have two sophomore running backs, a sophomore at receiver," HPA first-year coach Geoy Purdy said. "We're rebuilding."

Kamehameha is only in its second season of varsity play and has its first senior class. But the Warriors are 2-0 in non-league play behind quarterback Mana Silva, who has passed for more than 600 yards the past two games.

"Kamehameha is head and shoulders above everybody else right now," Honoka'a coach Ron Marciel said. "They have the ingredients to be a top-notched team. They have the people to put them into contention."

Said Warriors coach Ulima Afoa: "It's a process that we have to learn to deal with success and overcome losses. Once you learn how to deal with success week in and week out, the easier it is to reach your goal."

Honoka'a is getting revived by Marciel, who returns to head coaching for the first time since 1990, when he was at HPA.

"Honoka'a looks impressive with Ron Marciel," Kea'au coach Leo Abellera said.

With quarterback Jacob Galdeira hurt, Dillon Domingo has filled in after moving from defensive back.

Konawaena, under fourth-year coach Todd Brown, believes it is its time to win.

"This will be my best team in my four years as head coach," Brown said. "This team's goal is to go to states. We have a lot of talent and more size than the last few years."

The Wildcats boast one of the better defensive linemen in the state in Dylan Rush (6-3, 235), who has committed to UCLA.

Kohala has one of its largest senior classes with 15.

"So far, I'm pleased with the progress," Kealoha said. "They're coming around very well. Speed-wise, we'll be pretty good. We're more experienced than in past years."

Ka'u might find it a struggle.

"We have a lot of first-time players," coach Don Sakata said. "We have six experienced (varsity) players. But it's a good bunch of boys."

In Division I, defending champion Kealakehe is looking to defend its division crown under out-going coach Sam Papali'i, who resigns after the season to pursue coaching opportunities at a higher level. The Waveriders lost 26-0 to California's Santa Margarita last weekend.

"This team is more talented than last year's," Papali's said. "We played an outstanding team in Santa Margarita. We out-gained them. ... The score wasn't indicative of the game it was."

Waiakea is young, coach Ed Rocha said. But the Warriors have a huge offensive line with three 300-pounders.

"Kealakehe is the defending champs, but we have some size," Rocha said. "Hopefully, we can match up with them."

Hilo also is in the same boat as its crosstown rival Waiakea.

"We gotta work out a lot of kinks," Vikings coach Albert Kawelu Jr. said. "We have a lot of first-year starters."

Kea'au also claims an inexperienced team, and coaching staff for that matter.

"We have a lot of teachers on our staff," Abellera said. "The coaches might be more green than the players. But it's a fun atmosphere and the number of kids are up in the program."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.