Hope is alive and well at Auburn Riverside.

After last year’s disappointing 2-6 finish in the South Puget Sound League 4A North, the Ravens will swing into the new football season with a wealth of experience, returning eight starters on offense, five on defense.

“We’ve got a good group of returning seniors,” coach Bob Morgan said.

It all starts with senior quarterback and co-captain John Hakala (5-foot, 11, 180 pounds), who has 21 varsity starts under his belt and was an all-league honorable mention performer last season.

Hakala will spread to ball around to returning receivers Cameron Grad (6-1, 215), Deon Johnson (6-4, 175) and Nick Alexander (6-3, 195), as well as junior receiver Andrey Zadneprovskiy (5-9, 160).

Senior co-captain Connor Bjornstad (5-7, 170), an all-league second-team selection last season, will power the ground game.

Although the Ravens will stick to their traditional run-first approach, Morgan hasn’t ruled out more passing this fall.

“We’re going to try and balance it out,” said Morgan, whose team opens the season at 7 p.m. today against Kentlake at Auburn Memorial Stadium. “With John’s experience and the guys we have in the skills positions, we’re definitely going to pass the ball a little more. And we’ll take whatever the defense gives us.”

Josh Keller (6-0, 275) and co-captain Brandon Hand (6-1, 225) – both seniors – and sophomore newcomer Joe Miles (6-4, 255) anchor the line.

Defensively, the Ravens feature a good shutdown secondary behind the return of seniors Cole Luckett (6-2, 185), Kell Garrison (6-2, 175) and Dylan Brown (5-6, 160).

“They are a pretty athletic group,” Morgan said.

Hand will lead the defensive front, Grad will do the same for the linebacking corps.

“We just want to try and get pressure on their quarterback, be aggressive and try to dictate the tempo of the game,” Morgan said. “We’re looking to compete in every game.”

The Ravens say they have the ingredients to reach the postseason.

“We’re senior heavy. … We’ve got a good shot at making a run at the playoffs,” Hakala said. “We’re looking to have a better year, with a lot of intensity.”

Morgan likes his team’s leadership and unity, qualities that could push the Ravens over the top in close games.

“They get along together well, they pick each other up,” he said. “We’ve got good team captains who know what is right and make good decisions. Having a strong group of senior leaders is going to help us.

“This is probably our strongest group of seniors we’ve had in several years,” he added. “I’m excited to see what they can do on Friday nights.”