• Coach: Gordon Elliott, 11th year

• Last year: seventh in league with 3-5 record, 4-6 overall.

• Type of offense: Spread jet

• Top returners: (five returning starters) Kevin Shelton, senior, TE, 6-3/243; DeMontra McNealy, senior, TE, 6-3/235; Darnell Hagans, senior, RB, 5-5/160; Karorii White, OL, 6-2/315; and Cayman Tinsley, OL, 6-1/260.

• Type of defense: 3-3

• Top returners: (five returning starters) Kevin Shelton, DE, 6-3/243; Leroy Arnold, senior, DL, 5-8/240; DeMontra McNealy, senior, LB, 6-3/235; Seth Mizoguchi, senior, LB, 5-10/170; Darnell Hagans, senior, DB, 5-5/160; and T.J. Muao, senior, DB, 6-2/180.

• Impact newcomers: Brier Atkinson, junior, QB, 5-11/165; Harold Lee, senior, RB/DB/KR, 5-9/160.

• Outlook: After earning eight straight postseason berths as a program, the wheels fell off for the Trojans this past season. Auburn lost five straight in the middle of the season, fell to district rival Auburn Riverside 30-23 and finished the season seventh in the SPSL North 4A. Don’t expect a Gordon Elliott led team to stay down long, however. This year the team will look to Shelton – the younger brother of UW sophomore Danny Shelton – to step up and provide leadership on both sides of the ball. On the O-line Tinsley  and White will look to clear the way for senior scat back Hagans and keep quarterback Atkinson safe.

• Key game: The Trojans will look to set the tone beginning with their opening game, a home contest against rival Kentwood at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Auburn Memorial Stadium. The past two years the Conks have bested Auburn in regular season play – ending a 27-game, SPSL North 4A winning streak with a 19-7 victory in 2010 and defeating the Trojans 24-17 at Auburn Memorial Stadium in 2011.

AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS

• Coach: Bob Morgan, sixth year

• Last year: sixth in league with 3-5 record, 4-6 overall

• Type of offense: Pistol

• Top returners: (six returning starters) Joe Miles, senior, OL, 6-5/270; Skyler Harris, senior, RB, 6-0/200; Michael Robinson, senior, WR, 6-3/170; Shaun Meehan, junior, OL, 6-3, 280; Salvador Greer, senior, RB, 5-11/200; and Larkin Williams, junior, OL, 5-10/290.

• Type of defense: 4-2

• Top returners: (six returning starters) Joe Miles, senior, DL, 6-5/270; Skyler Harris, senior, LB, 6-0/200; Michael Robinson, senior, DB, 6-3/170; Shaun Meehan, junior, DL, 6-3, 280; Salvador Greer, senior, DB, 5-11/200; and Larkin Williams, junior, DL, 5-10/290.

• Impact newcomers: Drew Wallen, junior, WR/DB, 6-3/175; Kevin Thomson, junior, QB/DB, 6-2/180; Adam Hanes, senior, TE/DB, 6-2/190; Joey Lucchesi, junior, RB/DB, 5-9/185; Gavin Hettinger, sophomore, WR/DB, 5-9/155.

• Outlook: After making the postseason in 2010, the Ravens finished just out of the running last season, finishing sixth in the SPSL North 4A. This year the team will look to a massive offensive line – anchored by Miles, a first-team all-SPSL North 4A selection at offensive line last season – to set the tone for the offense. Also on the line are juniors Williams and Meehan, who will join Miles in clearing holes for Harris, who moves into the backfield after playing O-line last season. Thomson will get the nod at QB. Defensively, the line will again be a strength. Harris will move from defensive line, where he was a second-team all-SPSL North 4A pick last year, to linebacker.

• Key game: Last season the Ravens beat Auburn 30-23 in their annual showdown. Auburn Riverside would like nothing better to make it two-straight when the teams square off at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at Auburn Memorial, with the Trojans as the home team.

KENTLAKE FALCONS

• Coach: Chris Paulson, third year

• Last year: first in league with 8-0 record, 10-1 overall.

• Type of offense: Pistol spread option

• Top returning starters: (seven returning starters) Steffin Church, senior, QB, 6-1/195; Tyler Deskins, senior, OL, 6-4/270; Mason Johnson, junior, OL 6-3/315; Caleb Mathena, senior, RB, 6-0/190; and Nu’u Vaifale, senior, RB, 6-0/225.

• Type of defense: 3-3

• Top returners: (four returning starters) Steffin Church, senior, LB, 6-1/195; Mason Johnson, junior, DL, 6-3/315; Caleb Mathena, senior, DB, 6-0/190; and Nu’u Vaifale, senior, LB, 6-0/225.

• Outlook: Last year the Falcons ran the table in the SPSL North 4A, snagging the league title with an 8-0 undefeated regular season. The Kentlake offense piled up an average of 36.8 points per game last season. The team returns a solid core of offensive returners, including quarterback Church and running backs Vaifale and Mathena. Johnson and Deskins will anchor the line.

• Key game: Kentlake just edged Kentwood last season, 17-16. The district rivals will meet again at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at French Field in Kent with Kentlake as the home team.

• Coach: Brett Allen, third year

• Last year: eighth in league with a 1-7 record, 1-9 overall

• Type of offense: Shotgun

• Top returners: (five returning starters) Dion Leung, senior, WR, 5-7/160; Quincy Carter, junior, QB, 6-1/180; Cartez Green, senior, WR, 5-7/160; Timmy Cordova, senior, TE, 6-1/195; Thomas Kemp, senior, RB, 5-6/180.

• Type of defense: 3-4

• Top returners: (six returning starters) Randall Cooper, senior, DB, 5-9/165; Thomas Kemp, senior, LB, 5-6/180; Avery Hammond, senior, DB, 5-11/175; Vinnie Malietufa, sophomore, LB, 5-8/190; Kevin Merrill, senior, DB, 5-7/160; Quandrell Powell, senior, DL, 5-9/250; Sai Ta’amu, sophomore, LB, 5-7/175

• Outlook: With six returning defensive starters the Royals will look to gel and shore up a defense that allowed more than 38 points per game last season. Cooper and Hammond are both returning all-SPSL defensive honorable mentions. Green, the league’s top returning receiver and returner should provide excitement on offense.

• Key game: Sept. 14 at Jefferson. Last season the Royals overcame a 34-10 first-half deficit by scoring 20 points in the third quarter. Although Jefferson was able to hold of Kent-Meridian for a 42-30 win, the Royals will be eager to knock of their league rival this season.

KENTRIDGE CHARGERS

• Coach: Marty Osborn, 22nd year

• Last year: fifth in league with 4-4 record, 4-6 overall

• Type of offense: Multiple gun, no huddle

• Top returners: (six returning starters) Riley Poulson, senior, OL, 5-10/215; Jimmie Davis, senior, RB, 5-10/175; Tyler Bailey, senior, OL, 6-4/320; Danny Allen, senior, WR, 5-10/165; Derrick Bell, junior, RB, 5-10/185; Kevin Hall, senior, WR, 6-2/187

• Type of defense: 4-3

• Top returners: (six returning starters) Riley Poulson, senior, LB, 5-10/215; Jimmie Davis, senior, DB, 5-10/175; Tyler Bailey, senior, DL, 6-4/320; Derrick Bell, junior, DB, 5-10/185; Kevin Hall, senior, DB, 6-2/187; and Travis McGuire, senior, DL, 6-1/195

• Impact newcomers: Sam Smith, senior, QB, 6-3/190; Austin Olson, senior, TE/DL, 6-6/245; Paulo Taa, junior, OL/DL, 6-2/285

• Outlook: The key to success this season is how fast converted Smith, who played tight end last season, can adapt to playing under center.

• Key game: Oct. 5 against Tahoma at French Field. The Chargers blew a 36-26 halftime lead to the Bears last season, falling 46-42.

KENTWOOD CONQUERORS

• Coach: Rex Norris, ninth year

• Last year: second in league with 6-2 record. 8-3 overall.

• Type of offense: Pro-I

• Top returners: (six returning starters) Ryan Dozier, senior, FB, 6-0/205; Cozelle Gooding, senior, OL, 5-11/240; Dane Hernandez-Manio, senior, QB, 5-11/180; Jackson Huerta, senior, WR, 6-0/180; Chance Kaulau-fuimaono, senior, RB, 5-10/200; Tim Angevine, junior, FB, 6-0, 205; Terence Grady, junior, WR, 6-4/170.

• Type of defense: 3-4

• Top returners: (five returning starters) Ryan Dozier, senior, LB, 6-0/205; Cozelle Gooding, senior, DL, 5-11/240; Jackson Huerta, senior, DB, 6-0/180; Chance Kaulau-fuimaono, senior, LB, 5-10/200; Tim Angevine, junior, LB, 6-0, 205; Terence Grady, junior, LB, 6-4/170.

• Outlook: One of the most consistent programs in the state, look for Kentwood to again vie for the SPSL North 4A title and a spot in the postseason. The team boasts speed in the skill positions and one of the deepest linebacking corps in the SPSL North 4A.

• Key game: The Conquerors open up against Auburn, who they have defeated the past two seasons, at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Auburn Memorial Stadium.

MOUNT RAINIER RAMS

• Coach: Tremain Mack, first year

• Last year: ninth in league with 0-8 record, 1-9 overall.

• Type of offense: Spread

• Top returners: (10 returning starters) Logan Wagner, senior, QB, 6-3/190; Amani Brown, sophomore, HB, 5-9/215; Leuea Loto, sophomore, OL, 6-0/270; Alofa Loto, senior, OL, 6-2/332; Hudson Hohimer, junior, OL, 6-3/260; Alex Metros, sophomore, TE, 6-1/200; and Justyn Pomele, junior, OL, 6-2/226

• Type of defense: 3-4 hybrid

• Top returners: (10 returning starters) Zack Crotty, senior, LB, 5-9/233; Amani Brown, sophomore, DB, 5-9/215; Leuea Loto, sophomore, DL, 6-0/270; Alofa Loto, senior, DL, 6-2/332; Hudson Hohimer, junior, DL, 6-3/260; Alex Metros, sophomore, LB, 6-1/200; and Justyn Pomele, junior, DL, 6-2/226

• Impact newcomers: Tavita Young, junior, WR/DB, 5-8/140; Anthony Summers, senior, WR/DB, 6-0/175; Shawn Mamon, sophomore, WR/DB, 5-11/165; and Brogan Meyers, sophomore, OL/DL, 5-8/257.

• Outlook: The Rams have struggled mightily since jumping up from 3A and joining the SPSL North 4A in 2010. Head coach Tremain Mack, the team’s fourth coach in four years, will look to lead the team to their first-ever win against a SPSL North 4A team this season.

• Key game: The Rams open the season at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Auburn Riverside.

TAHOMA BEARS

• Coach: Tony Davis, 19th year

• Last year: third in league with 6-2 record, 6-4 overall.

• Type of offense: Spread

• Top returners: (five returning starters) Dallas Hayes, senior, C, 6-2/295; Shane Nelson, junior, QB, 6-1/197; DeShon Willimas, junior, WR, 6-3/190; Eric Brothers, senior, OL, 6-0/286; and Cody Abel, senior, OL, 6-3/246

• Type of defense: 4-3

• Top returners: (five returning starters) Elijah Suka, junior, LB, 6-0/224; DeShon Williams, junior, DB, 6-3/190; Joey Lutton, senior, DB, 6-1/169; Dallas Hayes, senior, DL, 6-2/295; and Cody Abel, senior, DL, 6-3/243

• Impact newcomers: Patrick Ota, senior, WR/DB, 5-7/157; Brooks Miller, junior, WR/LB, 5-11/187; Damon Funk, senior, RB/DB, 5-11/192; Jerome Woods, sophomore, RB/LB, 5-8/167; and Aaron Vaughn, junior, OL/DL, 6-3/235

• Outlook: With  Nelson back under center (last year’s SPSL North 4A leading passer with 1,684 yards and 12 TDs) and an experienced line to protect him, the Bears should have no problem scoring against league opponents.

• Key game: Oct. 19 Kentlake at Tahoma. Last year the Bears fell 42-33 to the SPSL North 4A champs.

THOMAS JEFFERSON RAIDERS

• Coach: Dean Peck, sixth year.

• Last year: fourth league with 5-3 record, 5-5 overall

• Type of offense: Spread

• Top returners: (three returning starters) Kyle Dougherty, senior, WR, 6-0/185; Michael Bur, senior, C, 6-0/245; Dabrian Taylor, junior, OL, 6-2, 260

• Type of defense: 4-3

• Top returners: (two returning starters) Geoff Lucas, senior, DE, 6-0, 185; Kyle Dougherty, senior, DB, 6-0/185

• Impact newcomers: Philip Cuadros, junior, WR/DB, 6-0/185; Paul Pinkney, senior, WR/DB, 6-1/185; Niko DelaCruz, junior, QB, 6-0/175

• Outlook: DelaCruz will look to step into the vacancy left by All-SPSL first-teamer K.W. Williams, who is now playing at Idaho State. A lack of experience across the board could hamper the Raiders’ quest for a return to the postseason,however.

• Key game: Oct. 26 versus Tahoma at Federal Way Stadium.