Four days ago, this game didn’t exist.

Three days ago, Waianae and Kahuku decided to cross paths again.

These perennial powerhouse programs usually don’t meet, unless it’s the playoffs. But with cancellations poking pukas in their schedules, the Seariders and Red Raiders found themselves going dutch to this weekend’s dance. Now, they plan to two-step on the football field tomorrow night on the North Shore. It’ll be a nonconference matchup that won’t count in the season standings.

Both sides are still in evaluation mode, which means players could still be cut from either roster. Waianae had more than 80 players at last count. The same goes for Kahuku, which has a tendency to play everybody in the season opener regardless of the opponent.

So, while the Seariders have a long haul ahead — memories of bus rides during the old Rural Oahu Interscholastic Association may return — tomorrow’s matchup will probably have more to do with surviving cuts than anything else.

For the prep football purist, that could make every one-on-one battle worth watching.

Here’s a look at the season-opening weekend, all nonconference games.

» Waianae at Kahuku: Nanakuli canceled on its game with Waianae, while Kahuku’s trip to Utah was canned. Otherwise, this game couldn’t have happened.

Kahuku’s formidable, balanced defense had difficulty stopping the run in a scrimmage at Kapolei last week, but that is probably due to player evaluation.

Waianae has a weapon at quarterback — senior Puletua Wilson — but since Keoni Napierala-Rose has graduated, the aerial threat of last season is a question mark. The Seariders’ Wing-T offense is still potent, however.

» Saint Louis at Roosevelt: The Crusaders might have the most individual talent in the state. The arrival of transfers Juda Parker and Paulay Asiata from Word of Life bolsters an already deep stable of linemen.

Defensively, Starr Sua-Passi leads a solid unit.

Roosevelt isn’t as deep, but might have enough firepower at its skill positions to keep pace. Quarterback Matthew Lono-Holani was 84-for-167 for 851 yards and 11 touchdowns last year with a solid 104.1 passer rating. His targets include 6-foot-4 Kaipo Pale and speedster Agaese Tago.

Saint Louis quarterback Marcus Mariota has magnificent tools, but this will be his first season as the starter. He can throw the ball 70 yards and runs a 4.3 40-yard dash, but hasn’t been consistently tested.

» Kaimuki at Mililani: The Bulldogs have size and talent in the starting lineup. Running back Chester Sua is one of the state’s best. He’ll play both ways, as will several other starters.

Mililani has invested heavily on offensive, stocking its line with most of the team’s largest players. That small-but-quick defensive philosophy is what the Trojans went with last year. New head coach Rod York intends to protect quarterback Trent McKinney, who amassed 415 total yards in a playoff loss to Kahuku, and give him enough time to hit 6-foot-4 targets Hassan Richardson and Ervan Jean-Pierre.

That is, if Richardson and Jean-Pierre get playing time soon. Richardson missed scrimmages due to a basketball tournament on the mainland and Jean-Pierre, a transfer from El Paso, Texas, has been hampered by injury.

» Kapolei at Pearl City: The Chargers are in Division II and had only 36 eligible players for last week’s scrimmages, but coach Kai Kamaka has embedded his defense with tenacity and pursuit.

Pearl City has weapons in two-way players Ray Cooper and Cyrus Coen, but Kapolei has depth and size matched by few programs.

Keaka Fernandez rushed for 253 yards in scrimmages against Kahuku and Castle, benefiting from the Hurricanes’ renewed emphasis on the spread option game. A big reason for that is the return of former UH quarterback Michael Carter as offensive coordinator.

» McKinley at Moanalua: First-year Tigers coach Joseph Cho hasn’t had a lot of time to install his version of the Wing offense, but he has enough weapons to make it work. Cornerback/wide receiver Solomon Dixon will get a lot of attention from defenses, and the arrival of MacKenzie Togafau from Word of Life enhances a solid offensive line.

Na Menehune have a lot of new faces in the starting lineup, but defensive end/tight end Richard Villasenor is a third-year starter. Jordan Tanioka, a sturdy defensive tackle, gives them consistency in the trenches.

» Damien at Aiea: Freddy Tailulu returns for Na Alii to provide leadership and experience at quarterback. Damien is still big up front, but hasn’t found a playmaker yet. That’s noteworthy for a program that has produced the likes of Brennan Furtado, Kama Bailey and Kealoha Pilares.

» Honokaa at Kealakehe: Dominick Trevino has the height and arm to emerge as the Waveriders’ signal-caller, but only time will reveal whether he’s a leader.

Honokaa is now in D-II, which made this exhibition matchup possible.

» Farrington at Campbell: The Governors return a wealth of stoppers on defense, including linebackers Justin Vele, Lancelot Williams and Charles Tauefa.

The Sabers lost quarterback Maika Ulufale, who transferred to Radford when his family moved. They’re also filling gaps in the receiver corps; slotback Samson Anguay graduated and is now at UH.

» Castle at Radford: The Knights relied heavily on the prowess of wide receiver/linebacker Shaydon Kehano last season, but he graduated. Coach Nelson Maeda’s teams usually find new playmakers in a potentially explosive run-and-shoot offense.

The Rams have many key starters back, including running back Phil Hogan. The arrival of Ulufale is another plus.

"It’s like I’m starting all over," Ulufale said of the tutelage of coach Fred Salanoa, a record-breaking passer at Eastern Washington.

» Waipahu at Leilehua: The game was canceled due to Waipahu not having enough players.