Auburn Mountainview continues to run the no-huddle, uptempo system that’s as synonymous with its football program as the Lions’ blue-and-orange color scheme.

That’s one of the few similarities fans will notice between the squad that opens the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday against Kentlake and the teams that produced a combined 17-5 record and advanced to the playoffs the last two autumns.

Auburn Mountainview kicks off the new season with the same attack but different faces.

Lost to graduation are Gresch Jensen, the school’s record-setting quarterback, who is at the University of Montana, and safety and wide receiver Gavin Robertson, who became the program’s first Pac-12 scholarship athlete when he signed in February with the University of Arizona.

Twenty-two seniors, 15 of them starters, have departed.

For those reasons, sixth-year coach Jared Gervais has had to make adjustments. Senior running back Bitner Wilson will be more of a focal point of the offense. And Jensen’s successor won’t have as much autonomy.

“We will go back to the way we used to call plays where it was a little more coach-directed,” Gervais said. “Gresch had a lot of freedom. He worked hard for that, and he earned it.”

Jensen’s replacement remains in question. When Jensen was sidelined last season against Enumclaw, Talan Alfrey started in his place.

The 6-foot-2 Alfrey is a gifted, all-around athlete. He placed fifth in the Class 3A triple jump and helped the boys basketball team reach state last year. Recognizing his skills, the coaching staff has discussed playing Alfrey at inside and outside receiver, tight end, running back and quarterback.

“He is unique athletically,” Gervais said. “He’s big, strong and fast.”

Gervais said junior Sui Daniels is a contender to start at quarterback. He described Daniels as a “good athlete,” but added he needs to become more refined at the position.

Neither signal-caller will benefit from much experience around him. Ki’Jan Weisinger, who had 853 yards and 10 touchdowns on 62 receptions last season, is playing at the College of Idaho.

But even with the losses, Gervais says his team has some depth at that position.

“I think we have a pretty good receiving group,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to move the ball around pretty well again.”

The offensive line, with just one returning starter, Joe Norris, is a larger concern for Gervais.

On the defensive side, the Lions surrendered an average of 28.9 points per game in 2015. But entering this season, Auburn Mountainview’s strongest position group might be linebacker. Seniors Bridger Child, Ben Mose and Wilson were starters last year, and Gervais is excited about Michael Kramer, a transfer from Black Hills High of Tumwater.

“One of our big strengths is going to be our linebacker group,” Gervais said.

But that unit is an exception. Alfrey will move into Robertson’s role at strong safety, but the rest of the defense is youthful.

Gervais likes the matchup against Kentlake, which is also rebuilding.

“This year we’re really focusing on getting better every day,” he said. “We’re really focusing on the process instead of worrying so much about the outcomes.”

Wilson says the Lions will be poised and ready to perform in North Puget Sound League 4A.

“Look out for Auburn Mountainview,” he said. “We’re coming.”

Auburn

The Trojans finished 3-7 last year, their first losing season since 2011. Whether that changes with this year’s inexperienced squad remains to be seen.

Auburn returns only 11 seniors as it transitions into the rugged NPSL 4A.

“It’s hard to predict how we’re going to do,” said coach Gordon Elliott, who enters his 15th season with the Trojans.

One of the few returners is senior Gavin Strojan, who emerged as the starting quarterback late last season. Elliott said Strojan’s running ability makes him a good fit to run Auburn’s version of the spread offense.

“It’s comforting to know that you’ve got a kid who has played varsity football at quarterback,” he said. “He’s a good quarterback and a good leader.”

Strojan is one of the Trojans’ few returning starters. Elliott also mentioned senior Ej Brown, who plays fullback and is transitioning from defensive end to linebacker.

While Auburn lacks experience, Elliott does not envision depth being an issue: more than 100 players turned out this season.

“We don’t have to have too many two-way starters, and that’s always good,” Elliott said. “That’s probably our strength right now.”

The Trojans open the season at 7 p.m. Friday against rival Kent-Meridian in the annual Taylor Trophy game at French Field.

Auburn Riverside

The Ravens return plenty of experience this season, and fourth-year coach Bryant Thomas wants to see results.

Auburn Riverside is ready to make a jump this fall, having finished 1-9 in each of the last two seasons after winning seven games in 2013.

“Last year was a rough season for us in terms of wins and losses,” Thomas said, “but when it came to developing young players in the program, we got out of it what we wanted to get out of it.”

The Ravens will lean on 18 returning players who started at least once last season.

“That’s paying off because we came into spring ball this year further along than since I’ve been there in terms of knowledge, understanding of schemes and things of that nature,” Thomas said.

Among those returners is junior quarterback Tiano Malietufa.

“He brings a different dimension to the ballgame than most quarterbacks at the high school level bring,” Thomas said. “He’s a fullback playing quarterback. He can run the ball and he can actually throw the ball. He’s a leader who makes great decisions.”

Plenty of talent surrounds Malietufa.

Running back Alex Caldwell, who is expected to miss the first two or three games with an undisclosed injury, is a “difference-maker,” while O’Darious Shaw is a playmaker at slotback. Thomas said senior Blake Foster, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, could be used at a variety of offensive positions to take advantage of mismatches.

“He’s got a big body and has great hands,” Thomas said. “You can look forward to him getting a lot of opportunities throughout the season.”

Senior Terrell Moffitt, an offensive tackle and nose guard, is Auburn Riverside’s top returning lineman.

“Every year he’s gotten a little bit better,” Thomas said of Moffitt. “We figure with him being a senior now, he should be ready to shine. He should dominate the middle of the field.”

While he sees enough talent to make progress this season, Thomas said more will be required to earn a playoff spot in what he anticipates to be a competitive NPSL 4A.

“We’ve got to grow,” Thomas said. “We had a good spring ball and summer. Hopefully, we’ll see that materialize.”

That quest began Thursday night when the Ravens played North Thurston at Auburn Memorial Stadium.