The O'ahu Interscholastic Association's White Conference has had different football champions in each of its four seasons of the current "Division II" format.

Whose turn will it be this year?

As usual, it's anybody's guess with a swirl of changing personnel, key losses and returnees, and a new but familiar head coach at Kaimuki.

Kaiser, which won the regular-season title but was upset in the playoff semifinals, suffered huge losses to graduation and was drubbed, 44-0, in its non-league opener against 'Iolani on Saturday. The Cougars were limited to 65 yards of total offense.

Waipahu, which ended up as OIA White champion, also lost several key players to graduation and has yet to play a game.

Kaimuki, which finished fourth in the regular season but second in the playoffs, begins a new era with Darren Johnson taking over for Daniel Mafua as head coach. Johnson, who went 58-29-1 in eight highly successful seasons as Kailua's head coach, also was an assistant at Kahuku for many years and has added several former Red Raider coaches to his staff.

Kaimuki lost to 'Aiea, 21-7, in Friday's non-league opener but quarterback Kapono Kaiwi-Barrenuebo completed 17 of 26 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions. He spread his completions to seven different receivers.

Waialua and Pearl City made strong runs last season and are hot in pursuit of their first state tournament berths.

Waialua opened its season with a 35-21 non-league victory over visiting Honoka'a on Saturday. Quarterback Donovan Matas completed 9 of 17 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 122 yards on 10 carries, including a 62-yard scoring run.

Pearl City scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter Friday to rally for a 14-14 tie with Moanalua in its non-league opener. Running back Antoin Dewalt, a returning White All-Star first-team selection, rushed for 117 yards and two TDs on 11 carries, including a 65-yard scoring run.

Roosevelt returns a large junior class but is still a mystery because its non-league opener at Campbell on Friday was canceled due to inoperative stadium lights following a copper theft.

"That hurt us," Rough Riders coach Les Parrilla said. "We scrimmaged Wai'anae and had a controlled scrimmage against 'Aiea, and that showed us some things, but as far as real live game situations, we were looking forward to playing Campbell. Without that, it's tough. We needed that. But hopefully that will make the kids even hungrier."

Roosevelt will open OIA play tomorrow against Kalani, which also did not play a non-league game.

The Falcons have a new offensive coordinator in Paul Ah Yat, a former All-State quarterback for 'Iolani who also was an assistant at Kaiser.

Anuenue, in its second season as a varsity program, opened with a 30-0 victory over Kohala last Saturday.

Read his blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.