Kahuku tops season-
opening poll

They appreciate the positive feedback. The Kahuku Red Raiders really do.

But when it comes to rankings, the figurative albatross is already there before they even start every football season.

All 14 media and coaches in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10 voting panel came away impressed with Kahuku's 16-0 nonconference win over Kamehameha. The Red Raiders swept the season-opening poll, well ahead of Saint Louis.

"Well, it's not something we're not used to," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said last night. "We've been there so many times. It's almost expected for us to perform that way even when we're not No. 1."

The top ranking will not have an adverse effect, he added.

"In this situation, it might help our kids work harder to maintain it. It's easier to become No. 1 than to maintain it," Livai said.

The Red Raiders scheduled scrimmages, but all were canceled by opponents. That made Friday's win over defending state champion Kamehameha a bit more gratifying.

"With major changes here and there, it was a test for us," Livai said of personnel and staff changes in the offseason. "We're very satisfied. If they vote us No. 1 with all those changes, better for us. We'll just try to maintain that momentum and, hopefully, improve each week."

Following Kahuku and Saint Louis are Kamehameha and Iolani, giving the Interscholastic League of Honolulu three of the top four teams in the poll.

Kapolei wasn't ranked at the end of last season, but checked in at No. 8. State Division II champion Campbell was voted No. 10.