After the traditional postgame handshake, Auburn Riverside players hurried to the track to celebrate with fans, while the band performed the school fight song in the background.

The celebration that followed the Ravens’ 55-14 nonleague win against Kent-Meridian last Friday night was long awaited.

It was the Ravens’ first home win since defeating Clover Park 55-14 on Nov. 6, 2014. Their last win against a league opponent was 20-7 against Auburn on Nov. 1, 2013.

“It feels like winning the lottery, seeing your mom and dad and your brothers playing out here smiling,” junior defensive lineman Trendae Umi-Tuato’o said of the Ravens ending their five-game home losing streak.

Umi-Tuato’o and his linemates played a significant role in that. Auburn Riverside (1-1) surrendered just 1.3 yards per carry and intercepted quarterback Ben Woods three times.

“When we lost our first game, we had to step up with our next game,” said Umi-Tuato’o, referring to a 28-27 overtime loss to North Thurston on Sept. 1. “There’s been too many losses. We had to step up this year.”

That began with a review of the North Thurston game, where coach Bryant Thomas said there was one reoccurring theme.

“A lot of it had to do with effort,” he said. “Once we were able to show them, the kids answered the bell and stepped it up.”

Particularly the defensive line.

“Umi-Tuato played the best game since he’s been here,” said Thomas, who also praised senior defensive lineman Terrell Moffitt’s performance. “He took the challenge on what we laid out for him.”

Thomas said he also believed the Ravens benefited from not using as many two-way starters as they had in the season opener. He told several backup players during the first week that they would be counted on more against the Royals (0-2).

“They stepped up,” Thomas said.

K-M coach Brett Allen said he felt his team struggled to match that energy. The Royals drove down to Auburn Riverside’s 17-yard line on their opening possession, but then turned the ball over on downs when Woods’ screen pass to De’Laend Ford fell incomplete on fourth-and-6.

“That first drive, we methodically moved the ball … and didn’t finish the drive,” Allen said. “We lost a little momentum.”

And the Ravens took advantage of it.

Senior O’Darious Shaw and junior Sam Braboy scored on 4- and 3-yard first-quarter touchdown runs, respectively. Auburn Riverside then extended its lead to 21-0 during the second period when junior quarterback Tiano Malietufa scored on a 1-yard run.

K-M’s lone offensive touchdown came during that quarter when Woods connected with Nate Jones for a 26-yard touchdown.

The teams then traded touchdowns on kickoff returns. Ravens junior Isaiah Prescott scored on an 88-yard return, while Royals junior Joe McConico reached the end zone on a 98-yard return.

Auburn Riverside took a 34-14 lead into halftime behind Shaw’s 8-yard touchdown run.

K-M mounted a final challenge when it recovered an onside kick to open the second half and drove to the Ravens’ 11. But Woods’ pass on fourth-and-7 fell incomplete. Auburn Riverside, which outgained the Royals 420-200, later added a touchdown on Prescott’s 72-yard reception before it replaced most of its starters late in the third quarter.

Freshman Javon Forward added 22- and 39-yard touchdown runs during the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

While both teams are members of the North Puget Sound League 4A, it was recognized as a nonleague game because K-M competes in the Cascade Division and the Ravens are in the Olympic Division.

The Royals open Cascade Division play at 7 p.m. Friday against Hazen at Renton Memorial, while Auburn Riverside starts Olympic Division competition at the same time versus Thomas Jefferson at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.

Allen said he hopes his team uses the setbacks against Auburn and the Ravens as motivation to improve.

“These are nonleague games, so we got some cheap lessons,” he said. “We can’t stand around waiting for the fight to happen. We’ve got to punch first.”