It’s been nine months since Punahou played a real football game, a momentous state championship win over Mililani in November.

The situation is quite a bit different for the Buffanblu’s season-opening opponent Friday night at Aloha Stadium. They meet Saint Louis, which has been busy trying to fend off five-star adversaries.

Things couldn’t be more urgent for the Crusaders, who have the ominous task of circumventing an unthinkable 0-3 start. They fell in two straight weeks to state runner-up Mililani and then to MaxPreps national champion St. John Bosco of Bellflower, Calif. It’s possible those tenacious encounters have prepared them for No. 1 Punahou. Or would it have been better to have at least one softer game before this ILH opener?

"You get what you get (on the schedule) and you just gotta play it," said Saint Louis coach Cal Lee, whose team dropped this week from No. 3 to No. 7 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Top 10. "The games all count now and we just have to keep working to get better — be more productive on offense, try to make them to punt more and get turnovers, and be more consistent on special teams because we’ve been hurt a lot on special teams already."

The Buffanblu are hungry to get on the field for a real game. Their Aug. 8 contest at No. 8 Leilehua was canceled due to Hurricane Iselle, and they have game-like experience in scrimmages against No. 5 Farrington and Radford.

"The level of intensity is that much higher when we play Saint Louis," Punahou senior receiver Kanawai Noa said. "Both teams are super emotional, when we play each other. We expect to come out firing and we are not taking them lightly at all."

This season, Noa will be catching passes from first-year starter Ephraim Tuliloa, a junior lefty, who got some playing experience a year ago and who has done well in the scrimmages.

Wayne Taulapapa, a 1,000-yard-plus rusher, is back for his junior campaign, as are the anchors on both sides of the Buffanblu line — 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle Semisi Uluave and 6-foot-7, 290 pound defensive end Canton Kaumatule.

Punahou coach Kale Ane knows Saint Louis’ 0-2 start means nothing.

"This is an exciting time, to start the new season against Saint Louis," Ane said. "As coaches, we sometimes don’t always look at the scores when we’re evaluating opponents. We’re looking more at strengths, weaknesses and anywhere where we think we can get an edge.

"This is a great rivalry and it presents us with great challenges. I’m really looking forward to it. Cal, (assistant coaches) Ron (Lee) and Vinny (Passas) have an outstanding tradition and they are a force to be reckoned with."

The Crusaders are likely to go with the quarterback tandem of Ryder Kuhns, a senior, and Tua Tagovailoa, a sophomore, who already has seven touchdown passes despite the platoon situation.

As usual, Saint Louis is filled with offensive weapons. Jonathon Manalo and Raymond Caayon have gotten the bulk of rushing attempts, and slotbacks Allan Cui and Keanu Souza and wide receiver Drew Kobayashi are potent threats downfield.

Linebacker Jedadiah Lulu has proven to be one of several playmakers on defense for the Crusaders, who are looking to tighten up after the team was torched for 63 points in both of its losses.

Punahou is on a five-game winning streak against Saint Louis, beating the Crusaders once a year ago and twice each in the two previous seasons. Saint Louis’ last victory over the Buffanblu was in 2010, when Oregon Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota was the Crusaders’ quarterback.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

No. 3 Kahuku (2-0 OIA, 2-0) vs. McKinley (0-2, 0-2)
At Roosevelt H.S.

The Red Raiders are off to a flying start in Lee Leslie’s first season as head coach. While they operate Leslie’s offensive variations effectively enough — quarterback Tuli Wily-Matagi has completed 59 percent of his pass attempts without an interception — linebacker Manaia Atuaia is part of swarming defense that limited Waipahu to 58 total yards last week.

No. 4 Kamehameha (0-0, 0-0 ILH) at Del Oro (Calif.) (0-0, 0-0 Sierra Foothill League)

The Golden Eagles rank 31st in California according to MaxPreps, but haven’t had a game yet. Coach Casey Taylor’s team is coming off a 13-3 season and sectional championship. Taylor’s record as head coach since 2004 is 104-29. The Warriors’ only scheduled game to date was blown away by Hurricane Iselle.

No. 5 Farrington (2-0, 2-0 OIA) at Moanalua (1-1, 1-1)

The Governors are built for smashmouth competition, but finesse offenses like Moanalua’s can be pesky. Na Menehune gave Farrington a major scare last year before the Govs prevailed 41-38.

This is Moanalua’s first home game after facing top 10 competition on the road (Waianae, Campbell). This time, they’ll have to contend with the smash and dash duo of running backs Challen Faamatu and Ranan Mamiya.

No. 8 Leilehua (2-0, 2-0 OIA)
at No. 9 Waianae (1-1, 1-1)

The Mules had beaten the Seariders five times in a row until last year’s 39-21 loss in Week 4. Quarterback Kalanimoku Pauole has been one of the most effective passers in the league, guiding Leilehua to a 50-7 win over Kailua and a 32-7 victory over McKinley.

Waianae’s rugged defense has the task of containing wide receiver Toma Savea (10 receptions, 225 yards, three TD).

St. Francis (2-0, 0-0 ILH) vs. Pac-Five (1-0, 0-0)
At Aloha Stadium

While most of the league has been sitting in idle for part of all of preseason, the Saints have been busy. Running backs Leighton Rosa (192 yards, two TDs) and Micah Teal (137, two) have bolstered the ground attack and quarterback Kawika Ulufale has been superb (28-for-36, 322 yards, three TDs, one pick) in wins over Keaau and Holy Trinity (Canada).

Pac-Five has played just one game, but first-year starter Kainoa Ferreira wasted no time making an impact with 515 passing yards and six touchdowns in a 54-37 win over King Kekaulike two weeks ago. Tsubasa Brennan caught 19 passes for 292 yards and four TDs.

Damien (1-0, 0-0 ILH) at ‘Iolani (1-0, 0-0)

The Monarchs are back from a big 28-21 win over Kauai. Quarterback Bransen Apao passed for 163 yards, rushed for 21 more and accounted for three TDs. Kapi’ina King, a 6-foot-5 basketball standout, is their leading receiver.

The Raiders are in transition after losing key players but they are still the dominant D-II program in the ILH. The teams met in last year’s ILH D-II final, a 28-7 win by ‘Iolani.

‘Iolani has beaten Damien 14 times in a row going back to 2006.

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

The Chargers clearly look like the D-II favorite in the OIA after wins over Roosevelt (34-6) and Waialua (34-7). Quarterback Jordan Taamu has been efficient, completing 67 percent of his throws with just one pick, and Dominic Maneafaiga has been a go-to ballcarrier.

The Bulldogs found a solid playmaker in backup running back Sean Noda (152 yards, three TDs against Anuenue).

Anuenue (0-2, 0-2 OIA White) vs. Kalani (1-1, 1-1)
At Kaiser H.S.

The Falcons came back down to earth after a blowout win over Waialua, losing to Kalaheo 6-3 last week. Kalani remains committed to the four-wide passing game; converted linebacker Tyler Ching has thrown 58 passes (6 yards per attempt) while the Falcons have run the ball 41 times (2.3 yards per rush).

Castle (0-1, 0-1 OIA) at Waipahu (0-2, 0-2)

Both teams love to fling the ball in the air. Brandon Tom (six receptions, 61 yards) and Andrew Pecpec (six, 20) have been leading targets for Waipahu quarterback Blais DeAsis. Castle’s second-year starter, Stephen Lee, has taken aim at Chad Figueroa (six, 49, one TD) and Keanu Furtado (six, 41).

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

The Rough Riders are finding their stride after giving Radford a battle last week. Running back Bishop Moore went down with a knee injury in the 28-20 loss and is out for the season.

Nanakuli got a week off after a 39-6 win over Kalaheo. Brandon Sevelino aired it out (22-for-39) for 271 yards and three TDS.

Waialua (0-2, 0-2) vs. Kalaheo (1-1, 1-1)
At Kailua H.S.

The Bulldogs have been launching the ball through the air in lieu of a serviceable ground game. Kalaheo grounded Kalani’s air attack last week.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

No. 2 Mililani (3-0, 2-0 OIA) at No. 10 Kapolei (0-2, 0-2)

The Hurricanes may have the antidote to stop the Trojans, who are racking up points and yards at video-game levels. Kapolei’s ground game and first-year quarterback Alton Julius’ progress as a passer are big reasons why voters still have the ‘Canes in the top 10.

Mililani has kept the load relatively light for prolific all-state running back Vavae Malepeai, who has just 34 carries in two games. Box-stuffing defenses are part of the reason McKenzie Milton and his receivers have been so effective.

Aiea (0-1, 0-0 OIA) at Kailua (0-2, 0-2)

Na Alii figure to be back to full strength after last week’s bye. Academic issues were a factor in a 52-7 loss at Kaiser two weeks ago. The Surfriders are at home for the first time after road games at Leilehua and Mililani to start the season.