High school football season preview: Auburn Trojans
The high school football season begins in early September and The News Tribune has been all over the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices before games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually before the season kicks off.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Auburn Trojans this fall.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s preseason practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on over 20 teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
AUBURN TROJANS
Head coach: Aaron Chantler, eighth year
2024 results: 5-5, Class 4A district playoffs
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Aaron Chantler, Spread
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Gordy Elliott, Flex
OUTLOOK
It’s a simple formula for Auburn QB Baylen Erdmann: Get the ball in the vicinity of wide receiver Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes, and let his top playmaker go to work.
The 6-foot-1 Trojans wideout and TNT All-Area receiver posted historic 4A NPSL numbers last fall, setting all-time single-season league records in receptions (101) and receiving yards (1,527) despite routine double-coverage against 4A’s powerhouse programs. Consider the Erdmann-Whitehall-Gilkes connection renewed, as Auburn eyes a return to the district playoffs and beyond.
Head coach Aaron Chantler jokes with his quarterback: “In the statbook, it says it’s a 65-yard touchdown pass. Nobody has to ever know that you threw it five yards.”
Whitehall-Gilkes may have surprised early on his junior season, but it didn’t take long for teams to smother Auburn’s star. The problem for opponents this year: The Trojans return Division-I receiving recruit Christian Titialii, who missed all of 2024 with a foot injury. Portland State offered the 6-1, 190-pound wideout in May.
That should ease pressure on Whitehall-Gilkes, who figures to be one of the area’s top wideouts once again. It provides Erdmann another dependable target, and gives the NPSL another weapon to worry about.
“If you’re gonna double-cover Lucas or bracket him or whatever, you need to have an answer for Christian on the other side,” Chantler said. “And if you leave (Christian) singled up, well, OK. We feel pretty good in that scenario, so it’s definitely kind of a pick-your-poison.
“I think the two of them make each other better.”
You’ll find both receivers on defense, too — Whitehall-Gilkes is Auburn’s top cornerback, with Titialii patrolling the secondary at safety.
A return to the playoffs would mark five straight for Chantler’s program, which averaged nearly 33 points per game last season and returns the majority of its skill positions. Auburn RB Monty Conlan fills the shoes of graduated brother, RJ, and headlines a diverse run game; slot WR Isaiah Sanchez will mix in, as will the dual-threat QB Erdmann.
Auburn hosts Kent-Meridian for a Sept. 5 season opener at 7 p.m.
We asked Chantler: What’s your favorite trait in Whitehall-Gilkes’ game?
“His ability after the catch is pretty phenomenal. He catches the deep ball really well, Baylen throws the deep ball well, so you’re gonna get those. But I think the most impressed that I’ve been with him is his ability to take a hitch or a slant or a screen, and it should be a five to six yard throw, and he puts his foot in the ground, catches the ball, breaks the tackle, and is gone — 60 yards untouched to the endzone.”
KEY PLAYERS
WR/DB Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes, sr.
QB Baylen Erdmann, sr.
OL Junior Leapai, jr.
WR/DB Christian Titialii, sr.
DB/RB Monty Conlan, sr.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 5: vs. Kent-Meridian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Bellarmine Prep, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19: at Kentridge, 4 p.m.
Sept. 25: vs. Stadium, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2: vs. Kennedy Catholic, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Tahoma, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: vs. Kentwood, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23: at Mount Rainier, 6 p.m.
Oct. 30: vs. Auburn Riverside, 7 p.m.
