The Kamehameha Schools football team will continue its "Murderer's Row" nonleague schedule tonight with a regional matchup against St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).

Kickoff is set for 7 at the Warriors' Kunuiakea Stadium.

Kamehameha is off to an impressive 2-0 start this season after victories over O'ahu Interscholastic Association powers Kahuku (35-0) and Kapolei (26-18). Tonight will be the season opener for St. John Bosco, which competes in the California Interscholastic Federation's renowned Southern Section.

"This is what we wanted," said Kamehameha coach David Stant, referring to the tough nonleague schedule. "We were supposed to play a couple Mainland teams last year, but it fell through. Our thought process is that you cannot simulate what it's like in the (Interscholastic League of Hono-lulu) in practice, so we want to play good teams (in nonleague action)."

On paper and on film, St. John Bosco certainly meets those qualifications.

The Braves — who compete in the same Trinity League as perennial Orange County powers Mater Dei (Santa Ana), Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) and Servite (Anaheim) — return 14 starters including seven on offense and seven on defense.

The offensive starters include 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback Keith Price, who threw for 1,150 yards in nine games last season and has made a verbal commitment to accept a scholarship offer from the University of Washington.

"That quarterback has good feet, and they run a multiple offense with a lot of motion, almost like a pro style offense," said Stant, who has watched film of St. John Bosco. "They also run some of that (Urban Meyer/Utah) option."

One of Price's favorite targets is 6-6 tight end Lucas Mealy.

Stant said the Braves displayed similar size and athleticism on defense. Safety Will Shamburger has made a verbal commitment to accept an offer from Boise State.

"They play a 3-3 'stack' and some 4-3, and they're physical," Stant said. "Their linebackers are big and their DBs are quick."

Kamehameha, however, has also been impressive in its first two outings.

Speedy running back Ryan Ho has rushed for 296 yards and three touchdowns on only 27 carries (11 ypc), and quarterback Edmund Kamano Jr. has completed 25 of 50 passes for 307 yards and three TDs.

"We really feel that their team speed is unbelievable," St. John Bosco coach Kiki Mendoza said. "We think that the quarterback and the Ho kid are the catalyst. If you give Ho just a little running room, he'll be gone. And that quarterback is such an athlete, even if you get past the blockers it's not a guaranteed sack, you still gotta go after him.

"During the week, we've had our running backs play quarterback just to simulate him running around back there."

Mendoza said the Warriors' offensive line "is very quick" and he was also impressed with receiver Pi'i Minns, who caught seven passes for 98 yards and one touchdown against Kapolei.

Mendoza added Kamehameha's team speed extends to its defense. The Warriors held Kahuku to just 75 yards rushing and held Kapolei's ground attack to 123 yards.

"Their defensive line can put pressure on you," Mendoza said. "The biggest thing for us is how to deal with their overall team speed."

Mendoza said Kamehameha also should benefit from having two games under its belt.

"Any time one team is a game or two ahead of another — at any level — it's an advantage," Mendoza said. "They've seen what mistakes their kids have made, and they've already made adjustments. Sometimes, kids look great in practice but when that first Friday night game comes, something happens."

But Mendoza said this Hawai'i trip was an opportunity his program could not pass up. The team stayed at the Turtle Bay Hilton earlier in the week before moving to Waikiki. Last night, the players and coaches got to walk through the International Market Place.

"It's been a great experience," Mendoza said. "We'll be playing a heck of a football team with a great tradition, and it's a privilege to be here."

Stant said it will be good for his team to get a taste of good Mainland football, especially since next week Kamehameha will travel to Utah to face perennial regional power Davis.

"They like to think that Hawai'i football is the best, but I try to tell them that we are just in a little pond," Stant said. "(The Mainland teams) are in the big lake."