With the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation going a combined 1-6 in nonleague action, it equates to one thing:

"The league is pretty much even across the board," Waimea coach Liko Pereira said. "The three schools are pretty young and have a lot of personnel issues to iron out."

The KIF opens tonight with Waimea facing Kapa'a at 7:30 at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu'e.

Defending league champion Kaua'i, which has a bye, beat Konawaena on the Big Island for the KIF's sole victory thus far. But even the Red Raiders are dealing with big losses, especially on offense with the graduation of quarterback Kekoa Crowell.

"Our offense is very young," Kaua'i coach Keli'i Morgado said. "There are a lot of questions as far as how this team will react in tough situations, who will take control of the offense or whether or not our defense can control the outcome of game until our offense matures."

Kaua'i has returnees on defense, led by linebackers Sean Thompson and Raymond Jerves.

Meanwhile, Waimea also is young on offense, as it struggled in nonleague play, scoring just seven points in two games.

"Our best players are on defense," Pereira said.

The Menehunes have decent size on defense with lineman John Henriques (6-1, 270), linebacker Dustin Rita (6-1, 220) and defensive back Kenny Estes (6-2, 190).

Kapa'a not only is rebuilding, but adjusting to a new system with first-year coach Sia Salausa. Salausa was promoted from assistant to replace Wes Kaui, who had stayed on the staff as an assistant.

"Learning a new system is always hard, but I have a good feeling about the kids," Salausa said. "But we have some seniors who haven't played since Pop Warner. It's a rebuilding year, but I have faith in the kids that they'll come around."

The Warriors have nucleus to work around with in nose guard Nathaniel Langi (6-2, 288), linebacker Jetson Wakuta (5-7, 180), defensive back Coty Salausa (5-11, 155) and defensive end Calen Tagawa (6-0, 170).

How even and young are the three teams? All three played teams from San Diego last week. The KIF teams were outscored 123-20 in a sweep by their California counterparts.

"The California teams always have been physically superior for (all Kaua'i teams)," said Morgado, whose Red Raiders lost to West Hills, 41-13. "But it should've been a closer game. We just didn't play well at all. They capitalized on our errors."

Pereira, whose Menehunes lost 45-7 to Valley Center, said the experience of playing those teams helps.

"Even though it was a negative outcome, something positive comes out of it," he said. "It shows where we need to put some guys and where others can fill in."

Kapa'a lost to Bonita Vista, 37-0. Salausa said his players sustained some injuries in that game, as well as the week before in a 28-3 loss to Kamehameha-Hawai'i.

"But preseason is for learning and adjusting," he said.

The KIF is strictly Division II, so its champion advances to the state Division II tournament.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.