Perennial power Kahuku made a statement last week by knocking off defending state champion Punahou, 24-14, in nonleague action at Aloha Stadium.

The victory improved the Red Raiders to 2-0 heading into their O'ahu Interscholastic Association opener at Kailua tomorrow.

But it was just one of several impressive nonleague wins by teams in the OIA Red Conference Eastern Division, which should foretell of a competitive division.

Castle also is 2-0, coming off a 41-21 victory over defending Division II state champ 'Iolani. Farrington is 1-0, after a 20-14 win at Campbell.

Kailua opened with a 20-9 victory over Baldwin at Maui's War Memorial Stadium, before losing to Kamehameha at home last week.

And Roosevelt, which lost its opener, 24-3, to 'Aiea, regrouped to defeat Damien, 27-13, last week.

The OIA Red East season begins today with Farrington at Roosevelt and Kaimuki at Castle; both games are scheduled to start about 25 minutes following the conclusion of the 5 p.m. JV games.

Tomorrow, Kahuku plays at Kailua, about 25 minutes following the conclusion of the 4 p.m. JV game.

Here is a closer look at each team:

CASTLE

COACH: Nelson Maeda

2009 RECORD: 2-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR/DB Austin Dawson (5-11, 180, Sr.), SB/LB Kamalu Kaluhiokalani (5-11, 185, Sr.), WR/DB Shaydon Kehano (5-11, 165, Sr.), QB Jaymason Lee (5-11, 153, Jr.); C Eric Owen-Watts (5-6, 172, Sr.), RB/LB Garrett Paredes (5-8, 200, Sr.), SB/DB Hans Reppuhn (5-10, 160, Sr.), SB/DB Lowen Rogers (5-6, 140, Sr.).

NOTABLE: The Knights have scored two impressive victories, 37-7 over Pearl City and 41-21 over 'Iolani. Lee was on target against 'Iolani, completing 23 of 32 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Kehano, last year's OIA Red East Offensive Player of the Year, has 10 catches for 118 yards and four TDs, and Paredes has rushed for 140 yards and four TDs in two games.

FARRINGTON

COACH: Randall Okimoto

2009 RECORD: 1-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DL Keith Chargulaf-Tuilaepa (5-8, 280, Sr.), DB Alvin Fa'amausili (6-1, 168, Sr.), RB Siaosi Feleunga (5-9, 206, Sr.), LB V.J. Fehoko (6-0, 210, Sr.), DL Seth Ilae (5-11, 225, Sr.), OL Lindon Kahana (6-0, 300, Sr.), OL Justin Momosea (6-1, 235, Sr.), TE Sammy Park (5-9, 198, Sr.), OL Joseph Siliga (6-1, 231, Sr.), RB Harry Tuimaseve (5-10, 177, Sr.), LB Justin Vele (6-0, 206, Jr.).

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Governors opened with a 20-14 victory over Campbell, but last weekend's game against Word of Life was canceled. Farrington fell behind 6-0, but scored 20 straight points before holding off the Sabers in the fourth quarter. Tuimaseve rushed for 168 yards on 25 carries. Fehoko is one of the state's top college prospects, and veterans Fa'amausili, Vele and Ilae also help anchor the defense.

KAHUKU

COACH: Reggie Torres

2009 RECORD: 2-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DL Hauoli Jamora (6-3, 235, Sr.), TE Jackson Kaka (6-3, 195, Sr.), SB/RB Galeai Malufau (5-8, 165, Jr.), MLB Ben Mamea (5-11, 200, Jr.), K Cameron Mercado (6-0, 170, Sr.), R/CB Lopaka Morris (5-10, 175, Sr.), DL Dallin Muti (5-10, 210, Jr.), T Jamal Napeahi (6-0, 265, Jr.), RB Viliami Pasi (5-9, 190, Sr.), DL Veteson Sauni (6-0, 250, Sr.), DL Kona Schwenke (6-3, 215, Sr.), T Christopher Thee (6-1, 240, Jr.), C/G Jase To'omalatai (6-1, 280, Sr.), CB/WR Johnny Tupuola (5-10, 162, Sr.).

NOTABLE: The Red Raiders opened with a 49-14 victory over Kealakehe, then defeated defending state champion Punahou, 24-14, last week. Morris has been the standout newcomer so far, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns against Kealakehe and scoring on a 64-yard run vs. Punahou. Schwenke has made a verbal commitment to play for Brigham Young, and Jamora, Muti and Sauni add to a strong defensive front.

KAILUA

COACH: Gary Rosolowich

2009 RECORD: 1-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DB Clint Aina (5-10, 185, Sr.); LB Calen Friel (6-2, 235, Sr.); QB Kahaku Iaea (5-11, 185, Fr.); WR Corey Lau (5-9, 150, Sr.); WR Austin Tilton (5-10, 159, Sr.).

NOTABLE: The Surfriders opened with a 20-9 victory over Baldwin on Maui, but struggled in a 34-2 home loss to Kamehameha last week. Iaea is a rare freshman starting quarterback, and the offensive line is inexperienced. Lau is a playmaker and dangerous in the open field. He has committed to Hawai'i. Aina delivers big hits in the secondary.

KAIMUKI

COACH: Clint Onigama

2009 RECORD: 0-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Eddie Char (5-10, 160, Sr.); WR Christopher Fiamate (6-1, 175, Sr.); OL/DL Pep Fonokalafi (6-0, 285, Sr.), LB/RB La'au Kent (6-0, 225, Sr.); DB/WR Andrew Save (5-11, 180, Sr.).

NOTABLE: The Bulldogs roster was nearly depleted by academic probation at season's start, but grade-check clearance has since helped. They were short-handed and lost to Pac-Five, 48-19, in the opener, then fell to Saint Louis, 35-7, last week. Char is a threat throwing and running. Fiamete had seven catches for 99 yards against Pac-Five.

MCKINLEY

COACH: Bobby Grey

2009 RECORD: 1-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DB/WR Roy Aliksa (5-6, 145, Sr.); DB/WR Solomon Dixon (5-7, 142, Jr.); QB/LB Sio Fiso (5-11, 225, Sr.); QB/DB Leo Maiava (5-10, 169, Jr.); DB/WR Kioco Melson (6-1, 189, Sr.).

NOTABLE: The Tigers opened with a 27-8 victory at Nanakuli but lost to Pac-Five, 66-40, last weekend. Wolfpack quarterback P.J. Minaya tied a state record by throwing eight touchdown passes. Dixon is a threat out of the backfield, rushing for 87 yards and making five catches for 53 yards and three TDs vs. Nanakuli.

ROOSEVELT

COACH: Pat Silva

2009 RECORD: 1-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Tyler Hayashi (5-11, 180, Sr.); WR/RB Drayson Ito (5-6, 140, Jr.); DL/TE Asten Koki (6-3, 225, Jr.); LB/RB Micah Lono-Holani (5-10, 210, Sr.); DB/P Ashton McKay (5-9, 180, Jr.); LB/RB Nick Okamura (5-10, 210, Sr.); WR/TE Kaipo Pale (6-3, 185, Jr.); LB/TE Keoki Schuman (6-2, 190, Sr.); WR/DB Agaese Tago (5-8, 145, Jr.).

NOTABLE: The Rough Riders struggled in a season-opening 24-3 home loss to 'Aiea, but rebounded last week with a 27-13 victory over Damien. Silva, who was head coach at Castle in the mid-1990s, returns to the sidelines after a 12-year hiatus. He said the linebacking crew of Schuman, Lono-Halani, Okamura and Hayashi should form the core of the defense. The offensive line lacks experience, but showed improvement from Week 1.

Staff writer Stacy Kaneshiro contributed to this report. Read Nakama's blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com.