The "Beast of the East" again resides on the North Shore.

At least that's how most football coaches in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association see the Red Conference Eastern Division race shaping up this season. Kahuku, which has won the past three East championships, again is the overwhelming favorite to take the crown.

"I think Kahuku might be playing at a higher level than everybody else right now," said Castle coach Nelson Maeda. "But among the rest of the teams, there's parity. Every team is going to be tough."

The East begins league play tomorrow with Kaimuki at Roosevelt and McKinley at Kailua. On Saturday, Castle plays Farrington at Roosevelt.

As usual, talk of East contenders begins with Kahuku. The Red Raiders' roster of 71 players is their smallest in at least 10 years, but coach Siuaki Livai said the quality still is there.

"We're happy with this group," Livai said. "When I say this is a good team, it's because the discipline is better. For me, that's a big thing and last year, almost half the starters were questionable from week to week because of discipline. With this team, there's maybe only three or four guys like that."

Livai also emphasizes defense, and Kahuku appears to be off to a good start after posting a 16-0 shutout of Kamehameha last week. In the process, the Red Raiders held the Warriors to 18 yards of total offense.

Linemen B.J. Beatty and Micah Wily and linebackers Kevin Unga and Josh Wily led the unit, which scored on a safety and Micah Wily's 15-yard fumble return.

On offense, running back Kamuela Alisa rushed for 75 yards on 16 carries and quarterback Kaulin Krebs completed 3 of 4 passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. All three completions went to tight end Devin Unga.

Unga, Redmond Tutor and newcomer Jason Evans are expected to be prime targets for Krebs and Jacob Kahawai'i, Kahuku's other quarterback.

"Those three guys are all big, fast and have good hands," Livai said. "And they're all smart guys."

The Red Raiders' traditionally strong offensive line will be led by Latu Tupou and Ken Livai.

As Maeda said, there is parity among the East's six other teams, with most in a rebuilding phase.

Castle has 21 returnees, but only three returning starters on offense and two on defense. One player to watch is senior quarterback Bryce Kalauoka'aea, who missed almost all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

"His rehab went really well and his knee is strong," Maeda said.

Kalauoka'aea will have strong support from the skill positions, with returnees Lihikai Domingo and Blaine Kobashigawa at slotback and Alika Kalopodes, Scott Keiter-Charles and Shayson Suzui at receiver. Running backs Corey Paredes and John Ufuti will help with the ground attack, paved by linemen Clint Daniel and Jordan Miller.

The Knights had a rough outing in its nonleague opener, losing to Campbell, 49-30.

"Because of injuries and academic probation, we suited up only 29 players," Maeda said. "But we got what we wanted to out of it. It was an opportunity to see what it is like to play a physical team, which is what we'll be facing all year in the East."

Farrington also has its share of academic casualties, and the lack of depth hurt in a 48-15 loss to Iolani on Saturday. But Maeda and Kailua coach Gary Rosolowich both said they expect the Governors to be contenders.

"They're big and tough," Maeda said.

Farrington's size and athleticism is epitomized by Tanner Fetui, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound senior who plays defensive end and quarterback. Running back Kenneth Faumui will lead a running attack helped by offensive lineman Whitley Fehoko.

The defense features brothers James and John Sagapolutele at linebacker and defensive line, respectively.

Kailua lost several key players to graduation, including its outstanding running back tandem of Damien Torres and Kekoa Su'a and the entire offensive line.

But Rosolowich said the Surfriders are benefitting from having a full year under his system after a crash course last summer.

"We're already far ahead of last year in terms of the learning curve," Rosolowich said. "We have a lot of young people but we also have a lot of good athletes."

The offense will be led by quarterback Kenny Gibson, a transfer from Utah. He'll have an experienced running back in Travis Holeso-Wolfe, who filled in admirably whenever Torres or Su'a were injured.

"He's a savvy guy with good speed," Rosolowich said.

The defense will be led by middle linebacker Makana Atisanoe, a three-year starter who is drawing strong interest from college recruiters, and end Tanu Paleafei.

Roosevelt overcame a 13-7 halftime deficit to rally past Kalani, 37-13, on Friday.

Quarterback Jordan Bush completed 7 of 15 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Running backs Koloa Kahalewai-Crawford and Makena Artuyo will help with the ground attack, and they also will play a role on defense at linebacker along with Kahai Freitas.

Keenan Loo also will contribute on both sides, at receiver and defensive back.

McKinley is another young team with only nine seniors, but coach William Moeava said he is excited about his Tigers.

"They're a little undersized but they play with heart," Moeava said.

The offense will be led by quarterback Tilton Kaluna, and two-way lineman Vuni Funaki is attracting attention from major college programs.

Kaimuki is struggling with a 29-man roster, but coach Daniel Mafua said "we're still enjoying it."

The Bulldogs will be led by two-way lineman Shaun DelaCazada, fullback/linebacker Mike Vierra, running back/defensive back Robert Azevedo and receiver/defensive back Tusi Taufa.

Mafua said almost every starter will play both ways.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.