After two seasons, the Bulldogs have returned to their old stomping ground.

Kaimuki, 2007 O'ahu Interscholastic Association White champion, will play with the big dogs of the OIA Red East. Kaimuki and Roosevelt were promoted after the two-season evaluation period to replace Kalaheo and Moanalua.

"They look ferocious," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said of Kaimuki. "They have some weapons and they're aggressive."

"From what I've seen (on video), they can keep up with anybody," Roosevelt coach Lester Parrilla said.

The Bulldogs and Knights will play their Red East season opener Saturday night at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium.

Kaimuki's second-year coach Darren Johnson said he has a young team that must learn the difference between White and Red.

"We have to get the kids to understand that every week is going to be a battle," he said. "They have to be ready to play."

Historically, teams like Kaimuki and Roosevelt have bounced between divisions (Red being Division I, White Division II). Against traditional powers like Kahuku, Farrington and Castle, the Bulldogs will be in for a fight.

The defending East champion Red Raiders are coming off a 35-0 thrashing from Kamehameha. But Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said it's just a matter of fixing the mistakes.

"When we looked at the film, we weren't as bad as we thought," said Torres, adding that injuries shelved five of his team's top six running backs at various times in practice.

It seems every team has an Achilles' heel.

Castle looked good in a 28-21 win against Mililani, but might have depth issues should it get hit by injuries, Maeda said.

Farrington's problems last year were more off the field, coach Randall Okimoto said.

"If we can balance school and football, then we would have a chance of being successful," Okimoto said.

Like Castle, McKinley is on the edge in terms of depth.

"We dressed only 32 last week," coach Bobby Grey said of last week's 15-12 loss to Damien. "But I think our starting 11 can match up with anybody."

Kailua is the only East team jumping into league play without a nonleague game for a tuneup.

At Roosevelt, size is an issue.

"We'll just have to rely on technique and quickness," Parrilla said. "In this division, anyone can beat anybody. I just hope my young puppies understand this."

CASTLE KNIGHTS

1940 to present (271-309-14)*.

* Record not complete because not all scores reported when the school started out as Ben Parker.

STAFF: Coach/offensive coordinator Nelson Maeda (Kailua '75), 12th season (60-53-1), 14th overall (64-67-3). Passing game coordinator Howard Peralta. Defensive coordinator Harry Paaga.

2007: 3-3 East, tied for third, fourth seed; 3-6 overall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Blake Rapozo (5-10, 160, Sr.), WR Nainoa Haitsuka (5-9, 163, Sr.), LB Mitchell Lum (5-10, 181, Sr.), OL/DL Joseph Kaahu (5-9, 245, Sr.), WR/DE Kevin Aipia Jr. (5-11, 205, Sr.), LB/SS/RB Kawehi Sablan (5-11, 195, Sr.).

FARRINGTON GOVERNORS

1938 to present (395-296-23).

STAFF: Coach/defensive coordinator Randall Okimoto (Farrington '92), seventh season (34-3-3). Offensive coordinator Sean Pacheco.

2007: 4-1-1, East second; 6-4-2 overall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DE VJ Fehoko (5-10, 210, Jr.), QB Dayton Kealoha (5-10, 205, Sr.), Isaiah Iuta (5-11, 210, Sr.), FS James Smith (6-0, 190, Sr.), RB Apelu Sooalo (5-11, 210, Sr.), LB Sila Tonga (5-10, 210, Sr.), C Paul Kama (6-0, 285, Sr.), WR Ani Isumu (5-9, 180, Jr.), WR Drake Miller (5-9, 170, Sr.).

KAHUKU RED RAIDERS

1940 to present (416-211-17)*.

* Record not complete because of missing scores from 1940 to 1948.

STAFF: Coach/offensive coordinator Reggie Torres (Kahuku '83), third season (17-5). Defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola.

2007: 6-0 East champion; 6-3 overall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: S Aulola Tonga (6-3, 205, Sr.), OLB Kamalani Alo (6-1, 192, Sr.), AP Jray Galeai (6-0, 177, Sr.), S Irwin Ah-Hoy (6-1, 190, Sr.), RB St. John Lessary III (6-0, 170, Sr.), RB Alapeti Magalel (5-9, 203, Sr.).

KAILUA SURFRIDERS

1955 to present (323-234-13).

STAFF: Gary Rosolowich (Sisler, Winnepeg, Canada '73), fifth season (14-22-1).

2007: 3-3, tie for third, fifth seed; 3-6 overall.

KAIMUKI BULLDOGS

1944 to present (265-338-25).

STAFF: Coach Darren Johnson (Kahuku '83), second season at Kaimuki (11-2), 10th overall (69-31-1). Offensive coordinator Warren Johnson. Defensive coordinator Sola Soliai.

2007: 8-0 White champion regular season and tournament; 11-2 overall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Justin Paderes (5-3, 128, Sr.), WR John Tuitele (5-11, 170, So.), WR Chris Fiamate (6-0, 170, Jr.), QB Nainoa Hiapo (5-10, 175, Jr.), WR/RB/DB Trendt Marsom (6-0, 210, Sr.), DE Desmond Tautofi (6-3, 270, Jr.), LB Keola Kiko-Kahawai (5-11, 180, Jr.), LB Laau Kent-Visesio (5-11, 220, Jr.), LB Clay Montiho (6-0, 220, Sr.), S Isaac Lani (6-1, 170, Sr.), DE Jericho Leota (6-1, 220, Sr.), WR/DB Andrew Save (5-9, 170, Jr.), RB/LB Tevita Aholelei (5-11, 216, Sr.), OL Albert Iokepa (6-1, 252, Sr.), OL Agaese Moi (6-1, 274, Jr.), OL Robert Pologa (6-1, 280, Sr.), DT Viliami Fonokalafi (5-11, 275, Jr.), DT Fono Finefeuiaki (6-0, 304, Sr.).

MCKINLEY TIGERS

1903 to present (385-392-32)*.

* Seasons before 1921 not included because majority of scores not recorded.

STAFF: Coach/co-offensive coordinator Bobby Grey (Borah, Idaho, '96), third season (5-11-1). Co-offensive coordinator Abel Werner. Defensive coordinator Mike Miyashiro.

2007: 0-5-1 East, seventh; 0-7-1 overall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR Justin Bassle (5-11, 185, Sr.), DL/OL Jonathan Nepo (6-2, 257, Sr.), DB/WR Moku Spensor (5-10, 170, Sr.), RB/LB Will Starks-Togiai (6-1, 213, Sr.), OL/DL Ochi Tafai (6-0, 312, Sr.), DE/TE Ionatana Woodward (6-3, 224, Sr.), LB/TE Tavita Woodward (6-3, 218, Sr.)

ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS

1931 to present (341-358-27).

STAFF: Coach Lester Parrilla (Kalani '79), 13th season (40-69-1). Offensive coordinator Gally Carreira. Defensive coordinator Eric Lalau.

2007: 5-2-1, tied for third East; 6-4-1 overall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: CB Sean Matsumoto, Zach Hamasaki, QB Shon Fujii, DE Asipa Manu, OL Kawai Carreira, S Kona Monteilh, WR Victor Kapihe, WR Matt Kualii-Moe, DE Chaz Francisco, LB Keoki Schuman, LB Micah Lono-Holani. (Heights and weights not available.)