Cory English is fully aware of the burden of responsibility on his shoulders.

But Auburn’s 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior lineman is ready to do the heavy lifting.

“The team is relying on me now because I’m one of the most experienced,” English said. “I’m just trying to lead by example, make sure I’m pushing my teammates and just have a great season this year, one for us to remember.”

English, a quick, agile and powerful center, is receiving considerable attention from Division I schools. The University of Washington, Washington State, Oregon State, Portland State and Idaho have made official scholarship offers. English has made an official visit to UCLA.

English continues a big-man tradition at Auburn. He played guard last season, next to mammoth tackle Danny Shelton, who graduated and is making an immediate impact as a true freshman defensive tackle at UW.

This fall English steps in to anchor the Trojans, a consistent state 4A powerhouse program. Auburn, which reached the quarterfinals last season, lost 18 starters to graduation, including Shelton, lineman Nick Conlan (New Mexico Highlands) and running back Alphonse Wade (Air Force Academy).

“It’s kind of weird not having them with me because they’ve been with me since my freshman year,” English said. “It’s also a good thing. I’ve learned a lot from them over the years. But it’s my team now, so I have to step up.”

As usual, expectations run high for Auburn, which finished second in the South Puget Sound League North at 7-1, 9-3 overall.

The Trojans open the season at home against Kentridge on Friday. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

With just one returner on defense – senior back Lincoln Burt – and three on offense – English and senior tight ends Cameron Gardner and Kevin Shelton – the Trojans will need to develop quickly.

For the Trojans, the running game is king. And the foundation of that is the offensive line.

“Cory is one of the best lineman in the state, so it’s nice to have someone like that back,” Elliott said. “He’s going to play center for us this year, and that’s an important position in our offense. We feel really good having him there.”

Shelton and Gardner also will provide muscle up front.

“Kevin is back,” Elliott said. “He’s bigger and stronger with another year under his belt, so we expect him to be an even better tight end this year.”

At running back, Auburn will return to the halfback-by-committee style that was prevalent in the program before the Trojans struck gold with feature backs Jeff Gouveia, Chris Young and Wade.

“We’ve got a bunch of halfback kids like we always do. We’ve got five or six or seven, so I feel good there,” Elliott said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can do a good job there.”

The Trojans will look to seniors Burt and Blake Ellison, as well as juniors Harold Lee and Darnell Hagans, to carry the rushing load.

“Those are guys we can really count on,” Elliott said.

Seniors Tilden Sansom and Josh McCoy will share time at quarterback.

“Tilden will start right now, but Josh should play a lot also,” Elliott said.

The 5-11, 175-pound Sansom, a four-year player, will get the start.

“He knows our offense and understands the pass reads and the little things,” Elliott said. “He throws the ball, he’s accurate and makes good decisions.

“Josh is a little more physical, he’s a bigger kid,” Elliott said of the 6-1, 210-pound McCoy. “When we run our quarterback running game, which is always important for us, he’ll run that. He’s a bit more physical in that part and he throws the ball well. Either one fits our system well.”

On defense, the Trojans lack experience but not possibilities.

“Lincoln is the only returning starter, but we’ve got kids who have played,” Elliott said. “It’ll probably take them a little time to get used to playing when it really counts, but I think it’s going to come around pretty well.”

Although expectations are high, the Trojans are not considered a favorite to win the North or go far in the postseason, according to prognosticators. That’s just fine with English.

“A lot of people are saying that we’re not going to be that good because we lost Nick, Alphonse and Danny,” English said. “They were great, but I think this year we want it more. We don’t have that many star players. We’re just a team.

“We want to prove a point that tradition doesn’t graduate at Auburn. That’s our main motto,” he said. “We just want to make it a memorable season. We just want to come and play our game on Friday night. It’ll be fun.”