Two words of joy: Open Division.

Punahou and Kahuku are meeting in a regular-season game for the first time, and powerhouse football programs are drawing an even brighter light in Hawaii high school football as the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and Oahu Interscholastic Association battle in a combined, merged football schedule for the first time in almost a half-century.

Old Honolulu Stadium is long gone, having closed its doors in the mid-1970s. That left a void. There was nothing like the aura of playing inside those pink walls. The King Street facade declared the week’s UH football opponent — often enough a small-college powerhouse like the Texas A&I Javelinas — or a Hawaii Islanders Triple-A, PCL opponent like the Albuquerque Dukes.

But the scalper’s delight was to have an ILH tripleheader ducat. Before he went on to Michigan State and the NFL, Kale Ane was a junior lineman at Punahou in 1969, just before the public schools bolted and merged with the Rural Oahu Interscholastic Association to form the modern-day OIA.

“I remember they were tough games. Crowds were crazy and the atmosphere was electric. We’d have 20,000 fans at the old stadium. Kalani was tough. McKinley always had great athletes. Roosevelt had a couple of (college) D-I players. Kaimuki had great athletes,” said Ane, now in his 20th season as Punahou’s head coach. “We all grew up together. Then it felt like the Great Wall of Berlin went up.”

The wall is officially down now.

The Buffanblu were idle last weekend while No. 2 Kahuku rolled over Konawaena 61-9. The Red Raiders have the makings of a powerful, sleek offense, and Washington-bound Miki Ah You is in command of a disciplined Big Red defense.

Kahuku showed a willingness to play smashmouth and a certain frequency of aerial marksmanship by first-year starting quarterback Robbie Sauvao. He threw for three first-half touchdowns against Konawaena, set up by an offensive line that plowed consistently for running backs Wes Alo-Maiava (nine carries, 130 yards, three TDs) and Toalei Lefau.

Sterling Carvalho’s debut as head coach left quite an imprint: an offense willing to go to an accurate short passing game when the box is stacked. Carvalho didn’t get to witness the public/private schools version of the ILH, but he’s stoked about the changes.

“As a competitor, as a coach, we love the format. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best. Now everything can be laid to rest. We can see each other in the regular season and postseason,” he said.

Punahou’s bye last week has left a bit of mystery.

“In a way, it’s a disadvantage. We want to see them, especially with a new offensive coordinator. We didn’t really get to see them or scout them to see the real Punahou,” Carvalho said.

Not so mysterious: Punahou’s 6-foot-3, 225-pound Maninoa Tufono. The state’s top-recruited linebacker released a video on Monday, announcing his oral commitment to Southern California.

“It’s very nice. I thought it was well done,” Ane said. “I wanted to get a popcorn and a soda. It was like being at a movie. I wasn’t even aware that he was making that commitment or decision. ”

Tufono is big and athletic, but his success this fall will be partly due to the defensive unit’s balance.

“He’s going to have a lot to do between the tackles,” Ane said. “We’re going to turn him loose at times. He likes to get in the action, take on blocks, shed them and get to the quarterback and running back. He’s an ideal linebacker with that mentality. He’s always had the ability, but always tried to do too much. Now he’s trusting his teammates to do their jobs. He’s learned to play within the process and still make big plays.”

Tufono’s presence in the trenches leaves little room for opposing playmakers.

“(Linebackers) Trent Shiraki, Legend Matautia, they’ll get a lot of action when the offense goes away from Maninoa. It’s a lot like when DeForest (Buckner) played defensive end for us,” Ane said.

It matters more than ever with a new starter in the pocket. Stephen Barber graduated, which means returnee Hugh Brady has the inside track over an athletic Kobe Muasau.

The receiver corps has a host of returnees, including Koa Eldredge, Tamatoa Falatea and Noa Takeyama. Punahou also has its version of thunder and lightning in the backfield with Sitiveni Kaufusi (6-3, 225) and Vincent Terrell.

The return of left tackle Duke Clemens is reassuring. The three-sport athlete committed to UCLA. Center Blake Feigenspan and right tackle Salatoa Moea‘i, who have D-I college offers, provide additional talent and experience.

The secondary is deep. Kainalu Pu‘u-Robinson and Jarrin Sato man the corners, with versatile, tall Kaulana Makaula playing corner and safety. Alaka‘i Gilman and Jonah Henry are over the top, while Marist Liufau is in a rover role that he could thrive in.

Not loaded enough? Place-kicker Tim Horn, with 60-yard range, committed to Washington in July.

PUNAHOU BUFFANBLU (0-0) AT KAHUKU RED RAIDERS (1-0)

Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Carlton Weimer Field

TV: Spectrum (1016)

Radio: 1500-AM

Series record: Punahou leads 9-6

First meeting: Pun 40, Kah 0, Sept. 9, 1950

Last meeting: Pun 13, Kah 10, Nov. 15, 2014

Memorable meeting: The Red Raiders lost the first six games of the series and beat Punahou for the first time in the Shawn Akina Memorial Classic on Aug. 26, 1989 in Doug Semones’ debut as Kahuku head coach. Mark Atuaia rushed for 157 yards but fullback Andy Moeai handled the scoring with four rushing TDs, all 3 yards or less.

Kapolei vs. Kamehameha

5 p.m., today at Aloha Stadium

Kamehameha’s Hoku Arias rates as one of the state’s leading linebackers, a third-year starter.

“He’s a definite D-I talent, just not the prototypical D-I size,” third-year coach Abu Ma’afala said. “I would compare Hoku to Pisa Tinoisamoa, a jack-of-all-trades LB who can play the run, is great in space, has instincts out of this world, and the effort sideline to sideline. I got to play with Pisa at UH and he had 19 tackles against Alabama. Hoku has that kind of potential.”

Safety Tiger Peterson is another stalwart piece of the defensive unit. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior committed to Hawaii on June 26.

Kapolei was spectacular last week in a 53-7 win over Castle. Darren Hernandez, now in his 16th season, has a mainstay in the trenches: 6-8, 320-pound offensive lineman Julius Buelow, who has 19 scholarship offers.

Christian Rapis passed for 206 yards and two TDs with no picks against Castle. Ezekiel Waiolama (79 yards, one TD) and Zion-Jabez Robello (79 yards) fared well. So did wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (seven catches, 95 yards, TD).

Saint Louis vs. Waianae

7:30 p.m., today at Aloha Stadium

Waianae’s stunning 34-13 nonleague loss to Waipahu last weekend did nothing to curtail the Seariders’ enthusiasm.

“The vibe at practice is great. The kids realize it’s a new week and they are working hard as a whole to get better,” coach Walter Young said.

No. 1-ranked Saint Louis awaits.

“Everything concerns you as the opposing coach, but we have a game plan and we’re going to do our best to execute it,” Young said.

The two-time defending state champion Crusaders are ranked No. 12 nationally. Cal Lee enters his 26th season as a head coach.

Defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele has 39 scholarship offers. Another trench man, Gino Quinones, committed to USC on May 18. Defensive end Liloa Kapiko has an offer from Utah State. Junior LB Jordan Botelho has filled out his 6-3 frame to 220 pounds. Including a recent offer from Georgia, Botelho now has eight scholarships on the table.

As for the void left behind by quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, junior Jayden de Laura has stepped up. He already has an offer from Hawaii.

Waipahu vs. ‘Iolani

3 p.m., Saturday at ‘Iolani

Last week’s 34-13 win over perennial OIA powerhouse Waianae could easily become Waipahu’s signature win of the season. Year 4 of Bryson Carvalho’s tenure as head coach is off to a scintillating start.

Alfred Failauga rushed for 145 yards and a TD on 29 carries in the win over Waianae. In all, Waipahu rushed 38 times, taking pressure off first-year starter Cody Marques, who was 10-for-15 for 216 yards and three TDs with no picks.

“I haven’t gotten a look at him up close,” ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said of Failauga. “Their offense seems very similar to what we do, except we’re the medium size and they’re the XXL size.”

‘Iolani lost to eventual champion Lahainaluna in the D-II state semifinals last year.

‘Iolani first-year starting quarterback Jonah Chong was 8-for-8 for 136 yards and three TDs in a 63-0 runaway win over Kalani.

Running backs Kaua Nishigaya (55 yards, 2 TDs) and Rexton Suzuki (58 yards, TD) shared the load.

McKinley vs. St. Francis

3 p.m., Saturday at Roosevelt

While the Open Division has the spotlight, the restructured D-II regular-season landscape is the Saints’ for the taking. The powerful but thin roster had enough to get past D-I Radford 28-21 last week behind a majestic 263-yard, two-TD performance by Jonan “Bubbah” Aina-Chaves.

With a pulverizing offensive line that features 6-7, 340-pound ‘Ope Laloulu and 306-pound Siotame Haunga, the Saints are nearly unstoppable on the ground at this level. Jonah Aina-Chaves started at QB and was 7-for-21 for 85 yards, one TD and one pick. His status is uncertain, depending on the return of Bubba Akana, who has been away for a baseball trip.

The Tigers continue to rise, coming off a 31-14 win at King Kekaulike. Migguel Camacho rushed for 152 yards and two TDs and Emilio Paul added 56 yards and one TD. The two RBs combined for 41 carries.

Farrington vs. Mililani

6:30 p.m., Saturday at Mililani

The Trojans’ 44-6 win over Kailua last weekend was a demonstration of efficiency. Dillon Gabriel passed for 168 yards on just 17 attempts, finding three different teammates for touchdowns. Burly RB Kilifi Malepeai racked up 67 yards and a TD on just seven carries before leaving with an ankle injury. Returnees Ryan Chang (four receptions, 57 yards) and Reichel Vegas (three, 40) caught scoring passes.

“Mililani is a well-coached team and has tremendous speed that will test us,” first-year Farrington head coach Daniel Sanchez said. “Hopefully, we can get them out of rhythm.”

Despite 20 penalties, Farrington’s offense was effective in a 35-16 road win over Leilehua. Sanchez is employing versatile playmakers with Raymond Millare and Selau Kalani as scoring threats by ground and air. Freshman Richard Tagataese passed for 150 yards and two TDs as senior Chris Afe remains sidelined (hand).

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Paul Honda, Star-Advertiser