The coaches for the some of this year's top teams drew a blank when asked about their competition for this week's state soccer tournament.

Makua Lani Christian? Kapa'a?

Questions abound for the field in the state tournament. Only five of the 12 teams from last year's tournament return this week. The field features two first-time league champions and three teams making their tournament debut.

"I know nothing at all. I was just talking about how interesting it is, because we don't have a clue," Kamehameha coach Andrew Ah New said of the teams in this year's tournament. "It looks like a strong field anyways."

His top-seeded Warriors (11-0-1), the 2005 state champs, won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, making it through with an undefeated record after not qualifying for last year's postseason.

Second-seeded Kapolei (12-2-0) won its first O'ahu Interscholastic Association title to receive a first-round bye for the first time.

Third-seeded Kamehameha-Maui (15-0-2) won the Maui Interscholastic League title for the second year in a row, but made its tournament debut last year.

Fourth seed Makua Lani Christian (11-4-0) is the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion and playing in its first state tournament.

"Those are the scariest ones," Kamehameha-Maui coach Jayson Nakasone said. "We try to label teams with a style of play so we know what to expect, how to defend and how to score against them. The first 10 minutes will be critical in figuring things out."

Kapa'a (7-0-1) captured the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation title and returns to the state tournament for the first time since 2002.

"It's an interesting state tournament," Kapolei coach Bryce Kaneshiro said. "I think it shows the quality of soccer. It's good. We have fresh faces, teams that for the first time are in the state tournament."

Several state tournament staples are not in the tournament this year, including Mililani — called the biggest surprise by several in the soccer community — Kaiser, Hawai'i Prep, 'Iolani and Baldwin, which lost to Punahou, 2-1, in double overtime in a playoff Saturday for a final state berth.

"The biggest surprise for all of us is probably Mililani," Kaneshiro said. "I can't even remember the last time they weren't in the tournament. It just shows at any given time, anybody can beat anybody."

INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU

1, Kamehameha (11-0-1)

2, Punahou (11-1-1)

Kamehameha's Gareth Gomez scored seven goals and Kimo Komomua six for the Warriors, which also received strong play from All-State midfielder Kekoa Osorio.

"We've had quite a few good games," Ah New said. "We did well during the season, but I think our best game is yet to come."

Punahou, which lost three seniors last year, returns 2006 State Player of the Year Nick Love, who tied for the ILH lead in scoring (11).

"We know what the ILH is about," Nakasone said. "They have talent every year, talent and speed. Nothing has changed."

BIG ISLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION

1, Makua Lani Christian (11-4-0)

2, Kamehameha-Hawai'i (11-4-0)

3, Kealakehe (13-1-0)

Makua Lani Christian is a "very small Christian school" with an enrollment of 90 students. The boys soccer team has 25 players — more than half of the boys in the high school (44), located near Kona.

"We've had excellent players, but not enough players. We've always been competitive," coach Rafael Cifuentes said.

Makua Lani Christian beat Hawai'i Prep (2-0), Kealakehe (2-0) and Kamehameha-Hawai'i (2-1) in the BIIF tournament. Junior midfielder Darren Jewell is the "playmaker" and senior forward Peter Jars is the "go-to scorer."

Kealakehe is "a very good" team that is well-coached and very disciplined, Cifuentes said. Kamehameha-Hawai'i has very fast players who "know how to score."

O'AHU INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION

1, Kapolei (12-2-0)

2, Kalani (9-4-1)

3, Leilehua (11-2-0)

4, Kalaheo (7-3-4)

5, Roosevelt (9-2-2)

Kapolei has been on the brink for several years now, and finally broke through with its first OIA title. The Hurricanes feature a potent offense, with Curtis Kiyabu (19 goals), Aaron Santiago (11) and Keoki Haole (11).

"I think you have yet to see our best game," Kaneshiro said. "We only recently got everyone eligible. (The) OIA finals was the first time we had everyone back. It's almost like we're having a new starting 11."

Kalani is led by Carter Kam's 11 goals. Leilehua, like the Hurricanes, also features a balanced attack, with Syd Tom and Charlie Pregoner with eight goals. Kalaheo's Tino Smiley has 10 goals, and Roosevelt's Ryan Pena scored 14.

MAUI INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE

1, Kamehameha-Maui (15-0-2)

The Warriors are one of three Kamehameha schools to make it. They like to "move the ball around, stretch out the field and attack weaknesses," Nakasone said.

Junior midfielder Cody Felipe, who missed last year's tournament to fulfill duties with the U-15 National Team, and senior captain Mitchell Navarro, who led the MIL in scoring, notching goals in 11 of 12 games, lead the way for Maui's Warriors.

KAUA'I INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION

1, Kapa'a (7-0-1)

"Mostly we work on possession, working it up to the front, we've got some boys with some fairly good ball skills," Kapa'a coach Kevin Cram said.

The Warriors are fairly young, with three senior starters in forward Asiss Rupert and defender Terrence Cuyo, and midfielder Billy Elms, but confident.

"I'm sure some will have butterflies, but we know we have the ability to compete with any team if they play to their potential," Cram said.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.