They’re ba-a-ack.

But if the other South Puget Sound League North Division football teams don’t recognize Auburn Riverside, the Ravens understand totally.

Simply put, this program is far removed from the one that went 2-6 in league play in 2005, and was a combined 8-24 in league, 11-37 overall from 2001 to ’05 before leaving the 4A ranks.

No longer a division doormat or soft spot on the schedule, Auburn Riverside went 9-5 in league games, 12-8 overall during its two-year stint in SPSL 3A, and qualified for the regional playoffs both years.

“When we left 4A (after the 2005 season), we were known as a group that underachieved a little bit,” coach Bob Morgan said. “We moved down to 3A, gained some confidence and success, and we’re ready to move on.”

Now, the Ravens are back at 4A, back in the rugged SPSL North – and fully aware that any success the past two years in 3A is just that: past success.

“We’re up for the competition,” running back Jake Pele said. “A lot of us are a little frustrated because people are saying, ‘It’s 4A.’ (But) we’re looking to make a name for ourselves.”

Auburn Riverside is coming off a 4-3 league record and 5-5 overall mark last fall, when half a dozen of their touchdowns were generated by the Tyson Sykes-to-Dalton Thomas combination. Thomas went on to earn first-team all-league status as a receiver, and Sykes was a second-team quarterback.

But change is in the wind – and not just in the league or classification level, either.

Sykes, now a senior, is moving to running back, with sophomore newcomer John Hakala taking over the quarterback spot. Pele, a tight end on offense last year, will join Sykes as a running back. Thomas, a lanky 6-foot, 170-pounder who caught 30 passes for 632 yards and six touchdowns last year as a junior, should be a tempting target again when the Ravens decide to throw it.

“We’re going to be a ball-control offense, running time off the clock,” Morgan said. “We’re trying to get the ball to our athletes. Putting Tyson at running back is going to help our team out. And I think Hakala is going to be a good leader. He really does what we want him to do for that position.”

Sykes, who, along with Thomas, also earned all-league recognition on the soccer field last spring, is up for the switch, even though giving up the QB job is never easy for anyone.

“Whatever is best for the team,” said Sykes, a 6-foot, 190-pounder who brings some quickness to his new position, while Pele, who checks in at 6-3 and 245 pounds, offers size and brute strength.

“It’s a fun switch, a person having the ball and being my size,” Pele said, then added with a satisfied smile, “It’s a dangerous backfield.”

The forward progress they made during their stay in 3A notwithstanding, Thomas said the Ravens know they could have done even better.

“We ended up not having as successful a season as we should have had,” he said. “We were trying to make the state playoffs. We know we need to come together. We’re so much closer this year.”

Running back Corey Carson likes what he has seen on the practice field so far heading into next Thursday’s season opener at Kent-Meridian.

“We have some things to work out on offense,” he said. “But other than that, we’re ready to go.”

Pele certainly is ready.

“A lot of teams don’t respect us in this league,” he said “We’re ready to dish out some big games and hard hits.”

RAVENS AT A GLANCE

• Coach: Bob Morgan, 2nd year.

• Last season: 4-3 in South Puget Sound 3A, 5-5 overall.

• Offense: 2-back fly.

• Defense: 3-4.

• Returning players (Year, name, position, height/weight): Sr. Dalton Thomas, WR/CB, 6-0/170; Sr. James Amis, OL/DL, 6-4/225; Sr. Brendan Meehan, OL/DL, 6-3/240; Sr. Tyson Sykes, RB/S, 6-0/190; Sr. Jake Pele, RB/LB, 6-3/245; Sr. Corey Carson, RB/S, 5-10/165.; Sr. Aaron Kahuli, RB/LB, 5-9/165; Sr. Mike Weideman, RB/CB, 5-7/155; Sr. Nathan Jarman, OL/DL, 6-1/275; Sr. Grant Storer, RB/DL, 5-6/155.

• Key newcomers: So. John Hakala, QB, 5-10/160; So. Michael Sherwin, OL/LB, 6-0/205; So. Brandon Hand, OL/DL, 5-10/200; Jr. Mitch Youngs, OL/LB, 6-0/195; Jr. Jeremiah Davenport, TE/LB, 6-3/205.

• Outlook: During its two years in 3A, the Ravens put together back-to-back playoff seasons, something that hadn’t happened previously. Now that they’re back in 4A, making a third consecutive postseason trip won’t be easy, but it’s definitely do-able in what most are regarding as a wide-open SPSL North Division that has no overwhelming favorite. With sophomore John Hakala taking the quarterback controls, coach Bob Morgan said the plan is to grind it out on the ground, but all-league wide receiver Dalton Thomas also gives AR a quality option through the air. Corey Carson is a veteran running back, while Tyson Sykes slides over into that position from quarterback, and Jake Pele makes the switch from tight end to running back. There’s also some solid experience at tackle on both sides of the ball. One of the keys for Auburn Riverside, according to Morgan, will be cutting down on turnovers from last season’s -21 ratio. The Ravens have every reason to expect to find themselves in the mix.

• Can’t-miss game: The Ravens start and finish with two contests that could wind up meaning the most. They open on Sept. 4 at Kent-Meridian, a team similar to Auburn Riverside in that it is on the way up after years of being a soft spot on the schedule. The winner of this one could go a long way toward setting a proper playoff tone. The regular season concludes with AR’s annual showdown against rival Auburn. Will their 13th try against the Trojans be the lucky one after Auburn has won the first 12 games between the teams? Find out on Halloween night at Auburn Memorial Stadium.

RAVENS SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT

9-4 at Kent-Meridian

9-12 at Tahoma

9-19 vs. Beamer (NL)

9-25 vs. Kentwood

10-4 vs. Jefferson

10-11 at Federal Way

10-17 vs. Kentridge

10-25 at Kentlake

10-31 vs. Auburn

Home games at Auburn Memorial Stadium.

K-M, KL games at French Field.

All games 7 p.m.

LAST FIVE YEARS

YEAR RECORD

2007 5-5

2006 7-3

2005 3-7

2004 4-6

2003 4-6