While it is a rematch of last year's state Division I championship, when defending champion Kahuku takes on Saint Louis tonight to kick-off the high school football season, expect an evaluation process. A very competitive one.

Game time is about 7:30 p.m. at Aloha Stadium. A junior varsity game between the same programs starts at 5 p.m.

The Red Raiders, who are riding an eight-game win streak from last season, edged the Crusaders, 7-6, in last year's title game.

"We'll leave our starters in as long as necessary, but we might be more liberal with our rotation (of starters and backups)," said Saint Louis coach Delbert Tengan, adding he has two more nonleague games to make evaluations before the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season starts.

Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said playing time will vary depending on how many players are battling for starting jobs. If it's two players, they'll play about half the time, if three, a third of the time, etc.

"Everybody plays to win, but at the same time, we're using this as an evaluation," Torres said. "That's our primary goal."

The Red Raiders have only one more nonleague game and that's at defending Utah state champion Bingham on Sept. 1.

Last year, Kahuku was auditioning quarterbacks and eventually stayed with Richard Torres. This time, the Red Raiders are looking at Timpview (Utah) transfer Jray Galeai and Siatima Tapusoa, last year's JV quarterback.

"Both will get ample looks," coach Torres said.

Kahuku has 96 players, but will suit up 79. Torres said injuries or other issues are keeping 17 players out of the game. Among them is all-state offensive lineman Benji Kemoeatu, whom Torres said will be available by the Timpview game.

Kahuku returns key players on defense, such as all-state defensive back Shiloah Te'o, who might get a look at middle linebacker, Torres said, and linebackers Alema Tachibana and Paipai Falemalu.

What Kahuku didn't see in last year's championship was Crusaders' quarterback Micah Mamiya, who broke a collarbone in the state semifinals. He was The Advertiser's Offensive Player of the Year.

"Micah's anxious to play since he didn't play last year," Tengan said.

Defensively, the Crusaders were anchored by their all-state ends, Solomona Aigamaua and Scott Smith. This season, the strength is in the middle with tackles Geordon Hanohano and Ryan Eastman, both rivals.com top 10 prospects in the state.

OTHER GAMES OF NOTE

Castle at Mililani—Today, 5 p.m. JV, varsity to follow: Darnell Arceneaux makes his debut as Trojans coach and the school honors retired athletic director John Kauinana with the re-naming of the stadium.

The Knights feature lineman Solomon Koehler (6 feet 2, 305 pounds). Rivals.com ranks him as the state's top recruit.

Damien at Kapolei—Today, 5 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity: Brian Derby makes his coaching debut for the Monarchs in a televised game (OC 16).

The Hurricanes return the lethal Mason Koa at quarterback. He's a threat to run and pass.

The Monarchs have one of the best running backs in the state in Kama Bailey.

Farrington at Wai'anae—Tomorrow, 4 p.m. JV, varsity to follow: This game was scheduled for today, but brush-fire smoke during the week that closed the Wai'anae campus for two days led to the change.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.