History tells us that in those rare, almost blue moon, instances that Kahuku High School or Saint Louis School lost a football game it was usually against each other.

Which is what makes what took place last weekend, when they both lost, so remarkable.

Only twice in going on 20 years now have the two perennial high school powers each lost a game on the same weekend against Hawai'i schools.

So when Castle knocked off Kahuku on Friday for the first time in 17 years, 23-6, and Punahou toppled Saint Louis on Saturday for the first time in a decade, 31-20, it not only opened a lot of eyes, it also inspired continued revolution in the sport.

A month into this season, the race for state supremacy is as wide open as it has been since 1985, the year before Saint Louis and Kahuku began their combined accounting for every state or O'ahu Bowl championship for 18 consecutive years.

As a result, as many as 10 schools can probably envision themselves as contenders and not be stretching the imagination. What might be a reach is the idea of anybody going unbeaten in Division I.

Admittedly, it is early in a season that undoubtedly has a lot of surprises left. And nobody would be surprised to see either — or both — the Red Raiders or Crusaders in the state championship finale come Dec. 2 at Aloha Stadium.

But for the moment a lot of schools have reason to nurture the dream of a state championship, something that had only been the province of two schools until last year. Not until Kamehameha and Leilehua met for the large school crown last year had there been a breakthrough.

The feeling at the time, however, was that it might be more of an anomaly than a trend. That the rest of the state might want to enjoy it before the balance of power was restored.

So, the victories by the Knights and Buffanblu are the best indication yet that the insurrection continues. They are examples bound to embolden others along the way into believing this really could be anybody's year. Because it can be.

While they were filling their trophy cases over the years, the Crusaders and Red Raiders also did something else. They have, through national polls and graduates they send off to colleges and the pros, hiked recognition of Hawai'i football nationally and raised standards hereabouts.

What victories by Castle and Punahou show is that the other schools have learned their lessons and are intent on applying them.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.