There aren’t a whole lot of high schools with the history that Narbonne (Calif.) has.

The school, located in Los Angeles, opened its doors in 1925. Like an island campus, Narbonne has a wide array of ethnicities, with no majority. Alumni include employees at NASA, news anchors, Major League Baseball players, actors and actresses and even a politician who wound up in Hawaii (Rep. John Mizuno).

The Gauchos are also known for football. Former All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is an alum. Under longtime coach Manuel Douglas, they’ve become a powerhouse in the CIF’s Marine League and are ranked No. 19 in California by MaxPreps.

When they meet Hawaii’s No. 1 team, Saint Louis, on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium, it will mark the first meeting between the schools in any sport. Defending state champion Saint Louis (5-0, 4-0 ILH) appears to have the edge, especially after short-circuiting previously unbeaten Punahou 49-13 last week.

Three weeks ago, Punahou traveled to the continent and outscored Serra (Calif.) 56-42 in a game that wasn’t decided until the final minutes. Narbonne beat Serra 17-14 to begin its nonconference schedule. The Gauchos have also beaten Palos Verdes (34-15), and have losses to Long Beach Poly (14-10) and Centennial (52-6) on their ledger. The latter loss was a tough pill to swallow for a program that won the CIF Division 1-A state title just two seasons ago.

“We haven’t been beaten like that since 2010,” Douglas said. “We’ve had a lot of success against tough competition, but we’ve got a lot of inexperience this year. Three new starters on our offensive line. We’ve been moving some guys around. Punahou beat Serra, and we played Serra. Then Punahou got so easily handled by Saint Louis. I know Saint Louis has size and great coaching. We’re very privileged that they’d play us.”

The personnel moves are recent, so this is a test in terms of preparing for the CIF regular-season schedule.

“It’s not Week 5 that I’m worried about. We’ve got a long season ahead,” Douglas said.

MaxPreps has Saint Louis ranked No. 14 in one poll and at No. 24 in its Xcellent 25. Narbonne checks in at No. 19 nationwide on the MaxPreps list. Both programs are stocked with college prospects. Four FBS recruits emerged from Narbonne’s last graduating class. This season, top Gauchos prospects include: outside linebacker Raymond Scott (6-2, 220), who has committed to USC; quarterback Jalen Chatman (6-0, 170) to Rutgers; wide receiver J.J. Tucker (6-2, 168), uncommitted; and outside linebacker Darien Butler (5-11, 215).

It has been quite an ascent for Narbonne, which Mizuno describes as a working, middle-class community.

“It’s a blast. It’s very diverse. I was born in Hawaii and raised on the mainland,” said Mizuno, who represents the 28th District (Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights) and is a Vice Speaker of the House. “We had a lot of Hawaiian and Samoan athletes, which made our team better. We didn’t feel racism because we’re so mixed.”

During Mizuno’s years at Narbonne — he is a 1982 graduate — it was almost impossible for some student-athletes to separate sports from gang culture.

“My junior year, we were co-champions with Van Nuys. One of our players had gotten shot in the leg and couldn’t play in the 3A championship game,” said Mizuno, who was an all-league running back. “I’m a Gaucho and I’m going to root for Narbonne, but Saint Louis is a powerhouse. It’s a machine. My heart’s with Narbonne. Maybe they can steal one from Saint Louis.”

OTHER FRIDAY GAMES

No. 4 Punahou vs. No. 5 Kamehameha, Aloha Stadium, 6 p.m.

So this is where the Warriors could pull the rug out and start the process of a miraculous turn of events. A Kamehameha win over Punahou, plus a Punahou win over Saint Louis, plus a Kamehameha win over Saint Louis would equal 2-2 ILH marks for each of these D-I teams. It would be a scheduling nightmare for the league, figuring out who would earn the automatic berth in the league’s title game (draw straws again?), and it is as long a shot as imaginable.

But you never know. Punahou quarterback Stephen Barber dinged his right (throwing) elbow during the third quarter of last week’s loss to Saint Louis. Barber has accounted for 1,315 yards and 11 TDs from scrimmage. That’s more than 76 percent of Punahou’s yards of total offense.

Kamehameha, which averaged more than 33 points per game before ILH play began, overpowered Carson — which plays in the same league as Narbonne — 33-10 on Aug. 25. Since then, the Warriors haven’t scored in losses to Saint Louis and Punahou.

Junior Kanoa Shannon leads the ILH in rushing yardage with 473 yards (and two TDs).

Aiea at No. 6 Waianae, 7:30 p.m.

The good news for Na Alii is that quarterback Ty Matsunami is among the league leaders in TD passes with 11. Bad news? His 12 interceptions thrown ranks among the highest, and Waianae’s mix of looks featuring hybrid linebacker Kana‘i Mauga is problematic.

No. 10 Damien at ‘Iolani, 3:15 p.m.

The first matchup on Sept. 2 was a tight battle, a matchup of wills between senior QBs Marcus Faufata-Pedrina of Damien and Tai-John Mizutani of ‘Iolani. In the end, the Monarchs’ defense prevailed and Damien won 35-21. ‘Iolani’s defense was ready for Faufata-Pedrina’s play-action, but didn’t close out on key plays.

The Raiders get their second chance in another on-campus game. Like Kamehameha, they can hope for a major run to close the first round and hope for a miraculous result — a first-place tie — but first it would require a win over the defending league champs.

Pearl City at Waipahu, 7:30 p.m.

The division has been softer than expected, which has resulted in an impressive run for both of these teams. This isn’t the championship game, but it will probably have that vibe at the Marauders’ pristine new field.

The Chargers’ 17-15 win over Kaimuki last week verified their identity as a defense-first, ground-and-pound squad. Makoa Cooper and Andre Carter have combined for 107 carries, 800 yards and eight TDs.

The Marauders are somewhat of an antithesis to Pearl City offensively, with a heavy recipe of pass calls. While QB Braden Amorozo (1,084 yards, 12 TDs, only two picks) and his corps of receivers keep attacking, RB Alfred Failauga has run the ball a relatively light 15.5 times per game (488 yards, nine TDs).

The teams haven’t played at Waipahu since 2010, when the Marauders won 26-12 behind Victor Moananu’s 177 rushing yards. The Chargers have not won at Waipahu since ’03.

Waialua vs. Kalaheo, Alex Kane Stadium (Kailua), 6 p.m.

Just one season removed from a remarkable championship run, the Bulldogs face the prospect of a possible winless season. It would be their first winless campaign since ’12. That was also the last time Kalaheo beat Waialua; the Bulldogs have won four in a row over the Mustangs since.

Kalani at Roosevelt, 7:30 p.m.

QB Seth Tina-Soberano (1,576 yards, 18 TDs from scrimmage) took last week off to heal injured ribs. The Falcons need wins in these last two weeks of regular-season play to have a shot at a playoff berth. The same is true for the Rough Riders, who ended a three-game losing streak with a 49-7 win over Kalaheo last week.

Hilo (4-1, 3-1 BIIF) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (6-1, 4-0), 7 p.m.

An outright claim to the unofficial island title is in the hands of Konawaena and Kamehameha-Hawaii since Hilo’s 24-14 loss at Konawaena last week. The Warriors have the inside track; they host both Hilo and Konawaena.

Kealakehe (2-4, 2-2 BIIF) at Honokaa (2-3, 1-3), 7 p.m.

The Waveriders are riding high with 52 points against Keaau and 54 on Hawaii Prep. Prior to that, Kealakehe averaged 10 points per game against tougher competition.

SATURDAY GAMES

Radford at No. 2 Kahuku, 6:30 p.m.

The Rams gave Campbell, the second-place team in OIA Blue, a battle last week before losing 35-19. The Red Raiders have not played at home (Carleton Weimer Field) since Aug. 25. Kahuku has permitted just 13 points in league play.

Nanakuli at No. 3 Mililani, 6:30 p.m.

The Golden Hawks have been mostly underdogs this season in D-I, but continue to progress offensively with one of the most balanced attacks in the league: 48 percent running plays. Nahum Kipi’s ability to throw and run helps Nanakuli compete. He has passed for 877 yards and seven TDs.

Mililani’s defense has been physical and fast. With less-pronounced roles on the offensive side, Jalen Olomua and Darius Muasau have fortified the defense at linebacker. Running back Kilifi Malepeai suffered an injury during the win at Kapolei last week, but quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s accuracy and wide distribution channels helped the Trojans move the chains.

Castle at No. 7 Farrington, 6:30 p.m.

The Knights are in a position to play for the best seeding possible. A win over the Governors would put them in fourth place in the OIA Red. Fifth place is already sewn up, thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker with Kapolei.

Farrington is in a three-way tie for second place with Kailua and Leilehua. The Govs have found their way through low-risk offense, steady special teams and a play-making defense led by Fo’i Sila, Blessing Umaga and speedy Chasen Castilliano.

Maui (2-4, 2-2 MIL) at No. 9 Lahainaluna (5-1, 4-0), 7 p.m.

Since losing to the Lunas 32-13 three weeks ago, the Sabers have beaten King Kekaulike and Baldwin. The Sabers are clearly a different team than the one that lost to Kapaa and KS-Hawaii in preseason, and they now have the inside track to a D-I state berth.

Lahainaluna has beaten every team in the MIL, and also won at Pearl City 20-7 to start preseason.

Kailua at Leilehua, 6:30 p.m.

A key win over Castle last week puts the Surfriders in position to capture second place and a first-round bye in the playoffs. If they stumble against Leilehua and Mililani (next week), they could slip to fifth place.

The same goes for Leilehua, which has won three in a row (Kapolei, Castle, Nanakuli). Coach Mark Kurisu’s defense has permitted just 13 points per game during the win streak, and offensive coordinator Andrew Manley’s unit has been explosive, with 94 points in the Mules’ last two games.

Pac-Five vs. St. Francis, Kunuiakea Stadium (Kamehameha), 5 p.m.

A.J. Ulufale found his groove at times during last week’s loss to ‘Iolani. The talented athlete moved from WR to QB due to Tyler Fukuroda’s injury. Getting Fukuroda back on the field would be a double plus, allowing Ulufale to move back to receiver.

The Saints are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Damien that allowed the Monarchs to seize sole possession of first place. They still have a shot at winning the first round (and securing a spot in the league title game).

The first matchup was 21-all at the half, sparked by a 94-yard kickoff return by Pac-Five’s Kaikea Gonsales and two TD passes by Fukuroda. Scott McLeod had two TD receptions in the win for St. Francis.

Kapaa (3-1, 1-1 KIF) vs. Waimea (2-2 1-2), Hanapepe Stadium, 7 p.m.

The tangled web of KIF parity is upon all three teams. Waimea’s 16-14 win over Kauai last week came on the heels of Kauai’s 27-17 victory over three-time defending league champion Kapaa. In their first meeting on Sept. 1, Kapaa won 47-21 at Vidinha Stadium.

Konawaena (4-2, 4-0 BIIF) at Waiakea (1-6, 0-4), 2 p.m.

Seven weeks ago, the Warriors beat defending OIA D-II champion Waialua 16-6. Since then, they’ve struggled. Only one Waiakea game during this skid has been decided by fewer than 17 points: a 14-13 loss to Hawaii Prep.

Last week’s win over previously unbeaten Hilo was Konawaena’s fourth victory in a row since losing to Kapaa and St. Francis in preseason. Wildcats QB Austin Ewing is out this week for breaking a team rule.

Keaau (1-3, 1-3 BIIF) at Hawaii Prep (2-3, 1-3), 2 p.m.

The Cougars ended their losing streak by beating Honokaa 30-15 last week. Ka Makani already have one win over a D-I program (Waiakea).

King Kekaulike (0-4, 0-4 MIL) vs. Baldwin (2-4, 2-2), War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

The Bears beat Na Alii 57-7 in their first meeting on Aug. 26 at War Memorial.