Auburn Mountainview’s athletic programs have found success on the diamond, in the gym and on the soccer pitch during the Lions’ short history.

Success on the gridiron, however, has eluded the school.

Since the Lions played their first football game back in 2005, the team has struggled to find its way to the postseason.

Last year, the team limped to a 3-7 finish in the South Puget Sound League 3A Division.

But it’s a whole new look for Auburn Mountainview this season, on and off the field.

For the first time in five years, the program will have a new coach prowling the sidelines, with Craig Spence taking over for Mike Clancy.

The Spence era begins Thursday night against Sumner in SPSL 3A play.

Spence, who brings with him more than 15 years of coaching experience at the college and high school levels, said it’s a lengthy process to turn around a program that has yet to reach the playoffs.

“We have a long way to go,” he admitted. “They don’t have a foundation of fundamental football skills, so what we’re doing is starting from ground zero. We are building a football program here, but it’s going to take some time. The kids are working real hard, but we’re real raw.”

Short on a winning tradition, the Lions are long on talent in some areas.

“We’ll have some players on the all-league team, no doubt about that,” Spence said.

The squad features capable running backs, led by C.J. Valliant (5 foot 10, 210 pounds) and Jammil Alexis (6-1, 210) and juniors Victor Korchemniy (5-11, 190) and Skyler White (5-9, 175).

“We’ll be strong running the ball. We’ve got five or six guys that we have a lot of confidence in,” Spence said. “They do a lot of different things well.”

Spence will look to Valliant, co-captain and a starting linebacker, to provide yardage and leadership.

“He’s faced a lot of challenges outside of school, but has shown a real perseverance,” Spence said. “He brings a physical presence to the team and is a real aggressive linebacker. … He has real strong legs and runs hard, and that’s what we need.”

Under center, 6-1, 180-pound sophomore quarterback Domenic Rocky will direct the Lions’ new two-back, pro-set offense.

“We feel real good about our quarterback,” Spence said. “He has all the tools. More importantly, he’s the hardest worker on the team. He’s the most dependable guy on the team, and that’s what I demand from our quarterback. He’s the right guy. It’s new to him, but he’s the right guy.”

Rocky welcomes the challenge of stepping up his game as a varsity starter.

“I’ve got a lot of playing time, experience and a lot of good coaching from other coaches and my parents,” Rocky said. “Finding out how to be a leader is challenging, though. I’m a leader-by-example guy, but I’m changing and trying to be more vocal.”

Rocky will have the support from Valliant and senior tight end and linebacker Jeremy Perkovich (6-0, 190), an all-league honorable mention offensive lineman last year.

Spence expects senior Darrell Robinson (5-11, 175) to emerge as one of the league’s best wide-outs.

But how well the skilled players develop will depend largely on the starters up front.

“And that’s where we are putting a lot of our time and efforts,” Spence said of the offensive line.

The Lions are building around junior Derek Serrett (5-11, 230), sophomore Willie Mack (6-2, 235) and Perkovich, who will start the season at tackle.

“Serrett is a very, very good center and has played there before,” Spence added. “And Willie, at guard, is an exceptional athlete.”

In addition, the Lions hope California-transfer Nick Aumuna (6-3, 220) will make an impact on both sides of the line as soon as he becomes eligible.

Defensively, the Lions should shine.

“It’s going to be a strong point for this team,” Perkovich said. “We communicate well on defense.”

The key to the Lions’ season will be instilling the mental and physical toughness required to play a rugged league schedule that includes perennial powerhouses Enumclaw and Lakes.

“Everybody just has to stay mentally focused,” Valliant said. “You lose that mental focus, then you’re going to lose a lot.”

Spence said he believes the team is up to the test, a theory proven out by the Navy SEAL training exercise – which combines conditioning in the pool and on the practice field – the team ran through during its first week of practice.

“It went really well, but it was probably the most difficult thing they’ve ever done,” Spence said. “But we really found this group can work really hard and be disciplined.”

The hope is that all the hard work will pay off by starting a winning tradition.

“I’m really excited to see how this year plays out,” Perkovich said. “The whole team is excited. We want to make the playoffs. It’d be nice if my senior class was the first one to start a tradition by taking us to the playoffs.”