Two of the state’s top three football teams have ventured east to play this week, as far as Utah and California.

Then there are several mainland teams that have voyaged west from as far away as Canada for the joy of playing in the islands.

Yet, the best matchups of the weekend might just turn out to be about familiar foes. Mililani-Waianae promises to be another gallant battle, but Kamehameha-Saint Louis could be even more intense now that Division I teams in the ILH meet just once in regular-season play this year.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s matchups:

TODAY’S GAMES

No. 4 Kamehameha (3-0) vs. No. 1 Saint Louis (2-0)

The ILH regular season opens with an explosion. The Warriors have beaten the Crusaders in three of the past four meetings and five of the past eight going back to the 2009 season. Last fall, Kamehameha was pass-heavy in a 34-23 loss but bounced back two weeks later for a balanced attack in a 43-19 victory.

The leading rusher in the Warriors’ win, Kaulana Apelu, has been sidelined by injury so far this season. In his place, senior Brandon Kahookele has been superb with 394 yards and two touchdowns.

But the main story line will be Kamehameha’s stout defense, which has permitted just three points in three games, against the Crusaders’ prolific offense. Mika Tafua leads a voracious pass rush that will be tested by quarterback Ryder Kuhns (577 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INT) and running back Adam Noga (174, 2 TDs).

No. 7 Mililani (2-1, 1-0 OIA Red West) at No. 5 Waianae (3-0, 1-0)

The quarterback competition between Robert Faleafine, a transfer from Saint Louis, and McKenzie Milton could last awhile — their production has been virtually identical — but one thing is rock solid: Running back Vavae Malepeai is the real deal.

The sophomore has rushed for 369 yards and seven touchdowns while becoming one of the best offensive weapons in the state.

Waianae’s defense has been more steady than spectacular, unwilling to gamble and give up the big play. But the Seariders haven’t faced an offense as productive as Mililani’s.

Seariders quarterback Kekoa Kaluhiokalani is among the best playmakers on the move, making smart decisions and using his nimble feet wisely (163 rushing yards, 2 TDs). Running back Jemery Willes (290 yards, four TDs) has produced consistently.

Vincent Massey (Canada) (0-0) at No. 6 Leilehua (2-0, 1-0 OIA Red West)

The visiting Trojans hail from the Winnipeg High School Football League’s highest classification (AAA). This will be a jolting experience for the Trojans, who are used to playing by Canadian rules — 12 players, three downs, multiple offensive players in motion. American football rules will be enforced tonight.

The Mules are getting the most out of their special teams and defense, which led the way in a 28-21 win over Campbell last week.

St. Francis (1-1) at No. 8 ‘Iolani (2-1)

The Saints are in their inaugural varsity season, coming off their first varsity win. Now they face the state’s most consistently prolific D-II offense.

Slowing bigger D-I teams is still difficult for ‘Iolani; Leilehua stormed to a 56-35 win two weeks ago. But Easton Tsubata and Austin Jim On have combined for 609 yards and eight touchdowns through the air, sophomore Jordan Ross has blazed to 382 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and three receivers have caught at least 11 passes already.

No. 9 Campbell (2-1, 0-1 OIA Red West) at Aiea (2-1, 0-1)

The Sabers returned from last week’s 28-21 loss at Leilehua stunned, to say the least. Their defense surrendered just two touchdowns, while the kickoff unit allowed the Mules to score twice on returns. There were a mountain of penalties by the defense, a serious concern for coach Amosa Amosa after the game.

But Campbell remains a team to be reckoned with. Running back Austin May (238 yards, 3 TDs) continues to be a chain mover, and Jayce Bantolina had a breakout game against Leilehua. Quarterback Isaac Hurd is, arguably, the most exciting quarterback in the league, averaging 248 total yards per game. He has accounted for 10 touchdowns, including three on the ground, and his completion rate (51 percent) will likely get better as the offense develops.

For Aiea, quarterback Jordan Liilii has a foot injury. Though Na Alii are stellar defensively with linebackers Glen Igafo and Ben Taliulu, inserting linebacker Mana Kaahanui at quarterback stretches one key defender thin.

If Na Alii can find a high-percentage recipe for moving the chains, they might recharge a once-promising 2013 season.

Mission Viejo (Calif.) (0-0) at Baldwin (1-1, 1-0 MIL), War Memorial Stadium

The Diablos have a proud tradition, winning CIF titles in 1978, ’81, 2001, ’02 and ’04. They’ve won four South Coast League championships in a row — 19 in all. This fall, they are ranked No. 7 in the MaxPreps Southern California Top 25.

The Bears dominated Maui in a 33-13 win last week. Jeremiah Badillo passed for three touchdowns and ran for another to spark the Bears’ offense.

Pac-Five (0-2) vs. Damien (1-1), Aloha Stadium

The Monarchs have committed to the aerial game with Syles Choy back at quarterback. The senior has completed 35 of his 65 attempts for five touchdowns and six picks. If there’s any team that has committed even more to the passing game, it’s the Wolf Pack. First-year starter Anthony Canencia has heaved a whopping 111 attempts (51 completions) in two games.

Kailua (1-2, 1-0 OIA Red East) at Moanalua (0-3, 0-1)

The Surfriders escaped with a win at Castle last week, thanks to the handy kick-returning skills of Jameson White and reliable leg of place-kicker Naia Graham.

Micah Kaneshiro is averaging more than 230 passing yards per game for Na Menehune. Tonight is an opportunity for the talented Noah Auld. As a freshman wide receiver last year, he caught a 78-yard pass against Moanalua. He is now Kailua’s starting quarterback.

Waipahu (1-1) at Kapolei (2-1, 0-1 OIA Red West)

The Hurricanes ran into a buzzsaw last week, getting shut out by Mililani. The Marauders were routed by Westlake (Calif.) 59-8, their worst defeat since a 68-0 shellacking at the hands of Campbell in 2011.

Kaiser (1-1, 1-0 OIA White) at Radford (3-0, 2-0)

Both teams remain title contenders. Kaiser is counting on Lii Karratti at quarterback, but the anchor is linebacker/running back Fitou Fisiiahi. If his left calf is back to 100 percent — he ran for three touchdowns against Kalani last week while the injury lingered — tonight’s clash could be the most entertaining of the weekend.

With a 43-14 win at Nanakuli, the Rams have scored 157 points in three games. Senior Cody Lui-Yuen now has 892 passing yards and 12 touchdown strikes with just one pick.

Waialua (1-2, 1-1 OIA White) at Pearl City (0-2, 0-1 OIA White)

The Chargers have beaten the Bulldogs five straight times, with Waialua’s win over Pearl City in 2006.

Nanakuli (1-2, 1-1 OIA White) at Roosevelt (0-3, 0-2 OIA White)

The Golden Hawks were hit hard by graduation, but time is on their side with four OIA White teams qualifying for the playoffs.

Waiakea (0-2, 0-1 BIIF D-I) at Honokaa (0-0)

After some struggle to get numbers up, the D-II Dragons hit the field against the D-I Warriors. The visitors have met some hard times of their own, with losses to Hawaii Prep (34-0) and Hilo (36-6).

Konawaena (1-1) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (1-1)

Brandon Howes has picked up where Lii Karratti (now at Kaiser) left off. The senior has passed for 778 yards and six touchdowns (with two interceptions) and sparked the Wildcats to a 38-24 win at Hilo last week.

Waimea (1-2) vs. Kapaa (1-1), Vidinha Stadium

After opening nonconference play with a 42-0 win over Anuenue, the Menehunes have scored just eight points in two games. The Warriors are back from the Valley Isle, where they lost to No. 10 Lahainaluna 28-13.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

No. 2 Punahou (1-0) at Helix (Calif.) (0-0)

The Highlanders were 10-1 last season, including 5-0 as the Grossmont-Hills League champions. In five seasons at the La Mesa-based charter school, coach Troy Starr is 31-10-1.

Helix’s most famous player may have been ’02 graduate Reggie Bush, who later starred at USC and now plays for the Detroit Lions.

The Buffanblu are reloading after reaching the state final last year. Kotoni Sekona has moved from fullback to tailback in their pistol offense and rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown in Punahou’s 24-14 win at Mililani two weeks ago.

No. 3 Kahuku (1-1, 1-0 Red East) at East (Utah) (1-0)

The Leopards were 7-6-1 last season, including 3-2 in 4A Region 6. They allowed a conference-low 8.6 points per game.

One key returnee is defensive end Korey Rush, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior who has committed to Arizona State. He was named to the Deseret News Top 20 Players list in July. The visiting Red Raiders pulled away for a 40-14 win over Kaimuki last week. Soli Afalava (208 yards, two TDs) and P.J. Liua (187, two) lead the ground attack.

No. 10 Lahainaluna (2-0) vs. KS-Maui (1-1, 1-0 MIL D-II), War Memorial Stadium

The Lunas, led by defensive lineman Hercules Mata‘afa, shut out Mt. Douglas (Canada) 28-0 last week. The unit has been boosted by Justin Hong and Peni Taufa, who transferred back from the mainland.

Kaimuki (1-2, 0-1 OIA Red East) vs. McKinley (2-1, 1-0), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium

The Bulldogs have established a balanced offense with quarterback Tevita Lino (358 yards, 4 TD passes), wide receiver Fano Tuisila (13 receptions, 245 yards, 3 TDs) and running back Randon Tuitama (294 yards, two TDs).

The Tigers have relied more on a run-first approach, with speedy Gerime Bradley and linebacker/running back Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta sharing the load.

Farrington (0-2) at Castle (1-2, 0-1)

The last time the Governors started 0-3 was in 2007. Farrington then won five of their last nine games, including two playoff wins.

The Knights were on the verge of a second win in a row last week against Kailua before losing in overtime.

Hilo (1-1) at Hawaii Prep (2-0)

The visiting Vikings will have to face running back Bobby Lum, who has rushed for 331 yards and three touchdowns in wins over Waiakea and Waimea.

Kealakehe (0-1) at Keaau (0-0)

The Waveriders have endured significant losses to graduation, but are still the D-I favorite in their league.

Kalani (1-2, 1-1 OIA White) vs. Kalaheo (2-1, 2-0), Kailua High School field

Noah Brum has plenty in his arsenal with a trio of solid receivers. Brandon Roberts (20 receptions, 208 yards, 4 TDs), Trevor Yamashita (12, 216, 2) and Blaise Manabe (14, 140, 1) have been resilient. Brum has passed for 670 yards and nine touchdowns with four picks in 117 attempts.

Makena Johnston has rushed for 398 yards and six touchdowns for the Mustangs.

Cottage Grove (Ore.) (0-0) at Kauai (1-0), Vidinha Stadium

The Lions were 9-3 last year, including 5-1 in the 4A Sky-Em League. They’ve been enjoying paradise on the Garden Island — there are photos on the team’s Facebook page of coaches and players jumping off a pier into Hanalei Bay, running on a beach and floating on inner tubes down a river. No word on how many players may be sunburned.

Maui (2-1, 0-1 MIL) at King Kekaulike (0-1)

The Sabers’ ground-and-pound squad will continue to use a committee of ballcarriers.