The long-awaited Interscholastic League of Honolulu football season finally kicks off this weekend, but only with an appetizer as opposed to a full buffet of games.

Division II rivals Iolani (2-1 overall) and Damien (1-2) face off tomorrow at Aloha Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

It is the only ILH game this week; other teams begin league action next week.

But the Iolani-Damien matchup promises to be telling, as it presents a sharp contrast in styles. Iolani, ranked No. 7 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, graduated 10 starters on offense from its Division II state championship team of 2005.

But Ryan Dung, a 6-foot, 165-pound senior, has so far done a good job filling the shoes of 2005 Advertiser All-State first team quarterback Kiran Kepo'o. Dung has completed 39-of-68 passes (57.4 percent) for 562 yards and four touchdowns. Most impressively, he has yet to throw an interception.

His favorite target has been Lionel Fujioka, who has caught 20 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

"It's like they didn't skip a beat," Damien coach Dean Nakagawa said.

The Monarchs had big shoes to fill as well with the graduation of running back Kealoha Pilares, The Advertiser's 2005 State Offensive Player of the Year. Pilares led the state in rushing (1,746 yards) and scoring (146 points) last season.

His heir apparent is Kama Bailey, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound junior.

Bailey got off to a strong start, rushing for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries in the season-opening victory over Kapolei. He now has 325 yards on 59 carries (5.5 ypc) in three games.

Bailey will run behind a physical offensive line led by seniors Sione Tau (6-5, 280) and Timo Ulima (5-9, 260). Tau is being recruited by at least 16 NCAA Division I schools, according to school spokesman Pat Bigold.

Quarterback George Martin is the only other returning starter on offense. Damien's defense is similarly rebuilding, with cornerback Mitch Cabreros, safety Christian Vasconcellos and linemen Haku Correa and Lesao Iakopo the only returning starters. Linebacker Kenneth Rossi, Jr. started as a tight end last season.

"We had 25 seniors last year and now we only have 12, so it's a small senior class," Nakagawa said. "We'll probably have some growing pains."

Iolani's biggest challenge will be to stop the Monarchs' running game with an inexperienced and typically undersized defense. Sophomore linebacker Carl Gibson (5-10, 175) and senior safety Daniel Takami (5-9, 160) cover the field well and are sure tacklers, but the Raiders surrendered 296 yards rushing against a physical Mililani team, including 241 by tailback Jordan Torres.

"We can't do anything about our size, but we can't make excuses," Iolani coach Wendell Look said. "Teams are going to run the ball on us, and we have to be able to adjust. The bottom line is, we have to find a way to stop the run."

REDLANDS (CALIF.) EAST VALLEY AT KAMEHAMEHA

Kamehameha's big, quick and physical defense will get a visit from one of California's top quarterbacks tonight at 7 when it takes on Ronnie Fouch of Redlands East Valley.

Fouch, a 6-2, 185-pound senior, threw for 2,400 yards and 34 touchdowns last season with only five interceptions in leading the Wildcats to a league championship and the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section quarterfinals.

Kamehameha, 3-0 and ranked No. 4 in The Advertiser poll, registered 10 sacks and two interceptions in last Saturday's 7-6 victory over No. 5 Farrington.

TODAY'S GAMES

BIIF

JV 5 p.m., varsity to follow

Kea'au vs. Hilo at Wong

Hawai'i Prep at Honoka'a

KIF

JV 4:45 p.m., varsity 7:30

Kaua'i vs. Waimea at Hanapepe Stadium

MIL

Baldwin vs. Lahainaluna at War Memorial, 7:30 p.m.

OIA

JV 5 p.m., varsity to follow, unless noted

RED EAST

Castle at Moanalua

McKinley at Kailua

Red West at Aloha Stadium

Kapolei vs. 'Aiea, 4 p.m.

WHITE

Waialua at Roosevelt

Kaiser at Nanakuli

Kaimuki at Pearl City

NONLEAGUE

Redlands (Calif.) East Valley at Kamehameha, 7 p.m.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.