So how good is this Kaiser football team?

The next three weeks will determine that as the Cougars, seeded fourth in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Championships in Division II, host Konawaena in an opening-round game tonight at 7.

Kaiser (10-1) blitzed through the OIA White season, pummeling every team in its path. In its eight wins over conference foes in games actually played, Kaiser won by at least 20 points every time and outscored its opponents 400-77 with a margin of victory more than 40 points.

Two of Kaiser’s wins came by forfeit.

Nonetheless, the Cougars were given the fourth seed in the state tournament, behind top-seeded Lahainaluna, six-time defending champion ‘Iolani as the No. 2 seed and KIF champion Kauai, which was given the third seed.

Kaiser’s only loss came in its season opener against Campbell, 21-7. The Sabers finished third in the OIA Red and qualified for the state tournament in Division I.

"After we lost to Campbell, which was our only Red division opponent, we knew we were going to have to earn the respect all the way through," Kaiser coach Rich Miano said Friday. "I think it’s good because we haven’t gotten complacent. We’ve taken what is perceived as people not respecting you much and used that as motivation for us as coaches and the players."

Instead of a possible first-round bye, Kaiser finds itself hosting Konawaena (10-2), the BIIF champion in Division II. The Wildcats are in the state tournament for the third straight year and are trying for their first win. They lost 23-6 at Lahainaluna in the opening round two years ago and lost 25-23 to Nanakuli last season. They also made it in 2008, losing 25-15 to eventual runner-up Campbell.

"I wish (Kaiser) would have finished a little higher and we would be playing someone else other than them … but these little pit bulls from the mountains will give it everything they’ve got," Konawaena coach Cliff Walters said at Sunday’s HHSAA press conference.

Kaiser quarterback Kahoalii Karratti will play against his old team. Karratti, a senior, transferred from Konawaena in the offseason and has thrown for 1,231 yards and nine touchdowns, completing 67.4 percent (87-for-129) of his passes.

Karratti threw for 295 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another in the loss to Nanakuli last season, a game in which the Golden Hawks outscored the Wildcats 18-0 in the second half.

"As his coach, you have to make sure you have a good eye and make sure he’s not overly excited," Miano said of his QB. "The thing about him and what I sense with him is he’s a smart kid, he’s a good leader and he understands the gravity of this. He needs to manage what we do and play within the system."

A lot of that is handing off to running back Thomas Buntenbah-Leong (59 carries, 593 yards, 15 TDs) and fullback Fitou Fisiiahi (80-605-15).

Konawaena will counter with senior quarterback Brandon Howes, who has stepped in for Karratti and done well. Howes will spread the ball around to a receiving corps led by senior Chase Takaki.

Konawaena is making its fifth appearance in the state tournament, while Kaiser is playing in it for the first time.