After reaching the playoffs last season for the first time since 2007, Auburn Riverside is eager to do it again.

“As far as season goals, they want to make it back to the playoffs,” fifth-year head coach Bob Morgan said of his Ravens. “That’s their primary goal. We’ve got some obstacles in our way, but we know how many games we have to win to get there. And we’re going to have to beat some teams people don’t expect us to beat.”

The Ravens began their season Thursday at French Field against Kentlake in a South Puget Sound League North 4A game.

The Ravens were 4-4 in the SPSL North 4A and 5-5 overall, ending last season with a 49-14 loss to Graham-Kapowsin in a pigtail playoff game.

To return to the postseason, Auburn Riverside will have to mature quickly while slogging through a brutal league schedule.

“Experience is a little bit of an issue. But the kids we have out, they’re a pretty good group, especially our skill positions,” Morgan said. “We’ve got some returners who have some experience there, and they’ve bonded pretty well.”

With just eight returning starters – five on offense, six on defense – the Ravens will look to the leadership of senior quarterback Josh Latta (6-foot-1, 185 pounds).

“He had a little bit of experience last year, started a couple games for us,” Morgan said. “He went 2-0, and he’s stepping up for us this year. He’s a good leader. We predict good things out of him.”

Latta will look to returning senior receivers Andrey Zadneprovsky (5-10, 165) and Kameron Boardway (5-11, 180) to help ignite the Ravens’ hybrid triple option/spread offense.

“We’ll take advantage of some of the strengths our quarterback possesses,” Murphy said. “He’s pretty good at throwing the ball. We want to establish the run, but we’re not afraid to throw it.”

Senior co-captain Evert Chung (6-0, 195) returns as the Ravens’ primary running threat.

“He’s kind of our workhorse,” Morgan said. “He’s a two-way starter (playing linebacker on defense), doesn’t come off the field much, never complains. Again, a great leader for us.”

To protect Latta and clear the way for Chung, the Ravens will field a young offensive line anchored by the team’s junior co-captain, Joe Miles (6-4, 265).

“He’s got a lot of natural ability,” Morgan said. “He’s probably our best lineman. He has the potential to get looked at by some good colleges.

“Kevin Mast (a 6-2, 205 senior) has some time there, but there is inexperience on the line, and we’re looking for them to step up,” he added.

The Ravens will find strength through numbers on defense.

“Defensively, we’re aggressive in our pursuit of the ball,” Murphy said. “It’s a real team defense. There isn’t necessarily a standout right now.”

Although every game in the SPSL North 4A is a challenge, the Ravens particularly are eager to have another crack at rival Auburn, which beat Auburn Riverside 21-14 last season.

“We set our goals for the season in preseason and that (beating Auburn) was definitely something that was brought up,” Morgan said. “It’s important to the kids to beat Auburn. But this week is this week. It’s still preseason.”

The Ravens and Trojans will square off on Oct. 28 at Auburn Memorial Stadium.

Until then, the Ravens will have time to improve and emerge.

“I’m hoping that we start where we left off last year,” Murphy said. “Even though we don’t have a ton of experienced players, the players got a bit of experience in that pigtail game in the playoffs.

“That’s one of their goals, to get back into the playoffs. Hopefully we can start off where we ended and go from there.”