AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS

Coach: Bryant Thomas, first year.

Last year: Ninth in the South Puget Sound League North 4A with a 1-7 record.

Type of offense: pistol option

Top returners: Kevin Thomson, senior, QB, 6-3/185; Drew Wallen, senior, WR, 6-3/185; Joey Lucchesi, senior, RB, 5-11/180; Vavin Hettinger, junior, WR, 6-0/175; Shaun Meehan, senior, OL, 6-4/260; Larkin Williams, senior, OL, 6-0/280; Derek Hart, senior, OL, 6-2/200; and Adam Domenowsky, senior, OL, 6-0/270.

Type of defense: 3-4

Top returners: Meehan, senior, DL, 6-4/260; Wallen, senior, DB, 6-3/185; Hart, senior, LB, 6-2/200; Alex Riler, senior, LB, 6-1/195; Lucchesi, senior, SS, 5-11/185; Artem Dyenka, senior, LB, 6-1/200; and Williams, senior, DL, 6-0/280.

Impact newcomers: Cole Huckaby, junior, RB, 5-11/180; James Baldwin, sophomore, CB, 5-10/185; Vinny Le, junior, OLB/DE, 5-11/195; Joshua Turner, senior, FS, 6-2/185; and Dennis Beard, junior, 6-2/165.

Outlook: The Ravens return the bulk of their roster from last season, including Thomson at quarterback. Protecting him will be an experienced offensive line, including Williams, Meehan, Hart and Domenowsky – all seniors who had plenty of playing time last season. According to first-year head coach Thomas, the team is also deep at the running back position, with Lucchesi looking to get the majority of the touches there. Last year the team opened the season with a 44-21 victory against Mt. Rainier before going winless the rest of the way. Despite their record, the Ravens managed to stay in several close games against Tahoma, Kentridge, Jefferson and Kentlake. Thomas said he looks to ramp up the team’s intensity on the field, in hopes the Ravens can finish strong every game.

Key games: The Ravens will get their first real test in their second game, at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 against Kentridge at French Field. Two years ago the Ravens won their first ever district rival game against Auburn 30-23. They’ll try to do it again at 7 p.m. Nov. 1.