Darnell Arceneaux loves everyone.

Players? It’s tough love for them, a mix of demands, year-round training and humor.

Coaching staff? He’s loyal, yet flexible. This year, the Crusaders welcomed former NFL and UH offensive lineman Leo Goeas, who is now an assistant coach.

Even administrators feel the love from Arceneaux, a blue-and-red-blooded Crusader going back to the Saint Louis football dynasty of the 1980s and ’90s. The former championship quarterback (twice) and Utah signal-caller keeps things simple. In his own eyes, he’s just another gentleman of the Saint Louis ohana, first and foremost.

"This team’s attitude and effort are one the best I’ve ever had," he said. "They made a lot of sacrifices in the offseason. I couldn’t be prouder. It’s not about the championships we’ll win. It’s about the attitude and effort."

In the year since he departed Mililani and returned to his alma mater, Arceneaux guided the Crusaders to a state championship. Now, with a gifted senior class gone, his program is ingrained in his brand of football. But he won’t allow the game to take precedence over the spirit of Saint Louis.

"Our program is in sync with Saint Louis School. It’s not about football. It’s one voice for the administration, religion department, P.E. department, everyone. We all can be one voice," he said. "I walk through campus and talk with (president) Walter (Kirimitsu) and (executive vice president) Duke Aiona. We’re all intertwined."

More than anything, Saint Louis football jelled last year with a staff that was cohesive from start to finish.

"I have the best coaching staff in the state. It’s been a fun summer," Arceneaux said.

Last year’s squad downed Waianae 36-13 in the final. With that and reputation for solid work ethic, the defending D-I state champs have the confidence of coaches and media statewide. The panel voted the Crusaders to a No. 1 ranking in the Star-Advertiser Preseason Top 10. The Crusaders were neck-and-neck with Kahuku in the voting and finished with just one more point than their rival. It’s only fitting; the two teams seemed destined for last season’s state final, but Kahuku — which defeated Saint Louis in an early nonconference game — was barred from the league playoffs due to questions about a player later ruled ineligible.

But this year both teams are practically brand new. Besides, Arceneaux always downplays polls; he won’t even vote in them. He doesn’t ask about any team’s ranking, including his own.

"That’s something we can’t control. We don’t care about rankings. We just want to make Saint Louis proud," he said. "There’s so much parity. If the NFL had held out, the state of Hawaii would’ve been fine with the quality of high school football. Waianae, Farrington, there are some outstanding OIA teams. Kamehameha, Punahou, ‘Iolani, Pac-Five and Damien, with Coach Eddie Klaneski, it’s going to be a wonderful season. Whoever can avoid injuries is going to have a chance."

The Saints begin nonconference play at Aiea on Saturday in a televised game.

On paper: So much talent departed Kalaepohaku in June, following a title campaign that included an 11-1 record. Star-Advertiser All-State offensive player of the year Marcus Mariota (Oregon) and defensive player of the year Juda Parker (Colorado) took their playing and leadership skills to the next level. Also gone: first-teamers Duke Bukoski (WR), Paulay Asiata (OL) and Starr Sua-Passi (LB).

Also departed are Na‘Alii Robins, a second-team defensive tackle, and third-teamers Joshua Tupua (WR), Houston Clemente (OL), Leland Gomez (CB) and Kalei Contrades (S). Even lineman Kelii Copp and running backs Derek Nakasato and Keanu Mook-Garcia graduated.

Only Kahuku lost as much talent. Kahuku has seven starters back this fall, Saint Louis has five.

All-state second-team offensive lineman Afi Greig is back at center, the lone returning starter up front.

"Afi is an extension of us coaches on the field. He can play Division I football," Arceneaux said.

Another promising lineman is Reeves Koehler, a 6-4, 270-pound junior.

"Our O-line has been our strength," Arceneaux noted.

Defensively, All-State second-team defensive end Kalei Auelua is back for his senior year. So are linebacker Jordan Teets and defensive back Uakea Street.

Solid as the Saints’ defense was last fall, the offense was a hybrid of option and run-and-shoot playmaking with an efficiency rarely seen. Mariota passed for 2,597 yards and 32 touchdowns with just five picks. His passer rating of 189.98 led the state.

New starter Kawai Mook-Garcia, brother of Keanu, was 28-for-44 with three touchdowns and one pick in limited action last season. If his passer rating is any indication (149.75), he could become one of the most efficient passers in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

"He’s an even-keeled guy. His leadership is something you have or you don’t have," Arceneaux said. "We call him ‘Smiles.’ He’s a positive kid who enjoys everything in life."

Kamana Pimental, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior, is ready to step into the backfield as a primary ballcarrier after biding his time behind last year’s seniors.

"He’s going to be special. He’s a hard runner," Arceneaux said.

The receiver corps took a blow with the loss of Bukoski (50 receptions, 942 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Tupua (38, 605, five), but Jeremy Tabuyo is ready for duty. As a sophomore, he had 16 receptions for 313 yards and four touchdowns, and was also one of the state’s top sprinters.

"He’s the fastest receiver in the state," Arceneaux said. "He’s worked hard. We’re going to use him at slotback, running back, wide receiver and he’s going to return kicks. Coaches will have to game plan for his speed."

Defensively, safety/linebacker Jacob Lacaden is the ideal piece in an active unit. Arceneaux loves having a disruptive force who can attack from any angle, anywhere on the field.

"He’s one of our strongest athletes, pound for pound. He’s a throwback Saint Louis kind of athlete. He’ll hit you," the coach said of the 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore. "You’ll be hearing about him for the next three years."

Auelua, who has bulked up and now carries 250 pounds on a 6-4 frame, is a silent, but feared force off the edge.

"He’s a really quiet guy. We call him ‘Stinks,’ like the guy from (the movie) ‘Gone in 60 Seconds.’ Midway through last year was the first time I heard him speak," Arceneaux said. "It was kind of scary."

Auelua had 22 sacks last season.

"He could be the best defensive lineman in the state," Arceneaux said. "He’s a phenomenal athlete."

The skinny: Last year, Mariota’s deep ball stretched every defense. This year, the offense will be very similar, but with more medium- and short-route looks, taking what the opponent offers.

The Crusaders are in one system from varsity to intermediate, but adjusting to varsity speed is a key.

"This team is a little ahead of last year’s team at this time. They’re just wet behind the ears. We’re trying to get them to play fast, but we’ve also simplified things for now," he said, referring to a scrimmage against powerhouse Farrington. "We had some bright moments and some bad moments."

One of the benefits of playing in the ILH is a long preseason. While the OIA jumps into regular-season play in late August, ILH teams are still getting the kinks out with two-a-days and video study because many private schools start school later.

That’s a plus for the incoming juniors and sophomores. Among them is Colton Goeas, son of Leo. Colton is a 6-3, 230-pound linebacker.

X factor: Few coaches can extract the kind of year-round dedication and commitment that Arceneaux and his staff get from players in all three levels of the program. Wherever he goes, Arceneaux brings his enthusiasm for the game. It’s contagious.

"Our guys didn’t miss a day (in the summer). After summer school, working out from 12:30 to 6 p.m. I had to kick guys out of the weight room," he said.