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The News Tribune's high school football previews for the 2025 season

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

The News Tribune covers local high school football teams gearing up for the 2025 season, showcasing their preparation for fall.

The Tumwater T-Birds pair varsity players with young, aspiring athletes in a Buddy Program. This program strengthens community and supports the youth program. On the field, Tumwater prides itself on its Wing-T offense, with multiple players contributing significantly to their running game.

The Puyallup Vikings prepare under new head coach DJ Mims, who pushes for high intensity starting from the first practice. With a roster full of returning players and impact transfers, the team aims to capture the state championship. Mims introduces a culture of discipline and precise execution, propelling the Vikings forward.

For the Curtis Vikings, the focus has shifted to establishing a strong run game due to the loss of key receivers. A veteran offensive line supports this playstyle, aiming to ease pressure on a sophomore quarterback. Coach Darren McKay emphasizes stability on defense, rotating multiple running backs throughout the season.

The Enumclaw Hornets hope to redeem themselves after losing the league title in their first year in the upgraded league. A return game against Decatur in Week 1 adds urgency to their preparations, with quarterback Gavin Trachte leading a balanced offensive strategy. Coach Mark Gunderson emphasizes readiness for immediate competition, signaling the team's driven approach to reclaiming the title.

Lakes linebacker Ta'u Mareko plays the middle during a football practice at Lakes High School on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Lakewood, Wash.. By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 2025 SOUTH SOUND PRESEASON PRACTICE TOUR

Welcome back to high school football season. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley, Tyler Wicke

The Sentinels logo covers Steilacoom High School’s ticket booth on the first day of high school football practice at Steilacoom High School on Aug. 20, 2025, in Steilacoom, Wash. By Tyler Wicke

NO. 2: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: STEILACOOM SENTINELS

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. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Sumner linebacker Austin Glivar runs off after a play during a football practice at Sumner High School on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Sumner, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 3: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: 4A SOUTH PUGET SOUND LEAGUE

High school football is back in the South Sound. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Stadium senior running back Darius Sum watches the ball during a practice drill on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 4: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: 4A NORTH PUGET SOUND LEAGUE

High school football is back in the South Sound. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Enumclaw High School football players gather around coach Mark Gunderson on the first day of practice on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 at Enumclaw Stadium. By Jon Manley

NO. 5: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: ENUMCLAW HORNETS

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. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Lincoln quarterback Sione Kaho warms up during a football practice at Lincoln High School on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.. By Brian Hayes

NO. 6: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: LINCOLN ABES

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. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Mount Tahoma quarterback Mikkah Cordero throws during a football practice at Mount Tahoma High School on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.. By Brian Hayes

NO. 7: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: MOUNT TAHOMA T-BIRDS

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. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Stadium players cheer from a huddle after completing a drill at practice on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 8: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: STADIUM TIGERS

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. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Franklin Pierce head coach Trevor Hanson, center, talks with players after a team practice on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 9: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: FRANKLIN PIERCE CARDINALS

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. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Peninsula defensive lineman Royal Charles runs through plays during preseason football practice at Peninsula High School in Purdy, Washington, on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. By Tony Overman

NO. 10: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: PENINSULA SEAHAWKS

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. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Lakes players huddle during a football practice at Lakes High School on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Lakewood, Wash.. By Brian Hayes

NO. 11: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: LAKES LANCERS

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. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Gig Harbor quarterback Sawyer Hayes throws during a football practice at Gig Harbor High School on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 12: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: GIG HARBOR TIDES

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. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

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NO. 13: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: FIFE 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. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Curtis offensive lineman Jereme Scott runs drills during a football practice at Curtis Senior High school on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in University Place, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 14: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: CURTIS VIKINGS

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. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Tumwater running back Peyton Davis runs drills during a football practice at Tumwater High School on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Tumwater, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 15: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: TUMWATER T-BIRDS

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. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Olympia head coach Nick Mullen brings years of coaching experience as he returns to guide the Bears. He is shown during football practice at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia, Washington on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. By Tony Overman

NO. 16: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: OLYMPIA BEARS

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. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Capital quarterback Nolan Potts throws during a football practice at Capital High School on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Olympia, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 17: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: CAPITAL COUGARS

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. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Lincoln's Elijah Carney calls for other players to warmup during a football practice at Lincoln High School on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.. By Brian Hayes

NO. 18: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: 3A PUGET SOUND LEAGUE

High school football is back in the South Sound. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Franklin Pierce players run through a play as the team practices on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. By Liesbeth Powers

NO. 19: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: 2A SOUTH PUGET SOUND LEAGUE

High school football is back in the South Sound. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Enumclaw quarterback Gavin Trachte (10) passes the ball during the second half of the game against Federal Way at Pete’s Pool Ballfield, on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Enumclaw, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 20: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: 3A NORTH PUGET SOUND LEAGUE

High school football is back in the South Sound. | Published August 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Tumwater linebacker Gavin Kaikkonen runs drills during a football practice at Tumwater High School on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Tumwater, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 21: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: 2A EVERGREEN CONFERENCE, 1A NISQUALLY

High school football is back in the South Sound. | Published August 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

Puyallup wide receiver J'Isaiah Mitchell runs drills during a Puyallup High School football practice at Sparks Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Puyallup, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 22: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: PUYALLUP VIKINGS

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. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Emerald Ridge High School football players huddle in front of second-year coach Torey Donovan during practice at the high school in August of 2025. By JON MANLEY

NO. 23: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: EMERALD RIDGE JAGUARS

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. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Sumner defensive lineman Shaun Griffith walks off after a play during a football practice at Sumner High School on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Sumner, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 24: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: SUMNER SPARTANS

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. | Published August 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Orting QB Kyle Curtis runs through practice drills at Cardinal Stadium on Aug. 27, 2025, in Orting, Wash. By Jon Manley

NO. 25: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: ORTING CARDINALS

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. | Published August 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Wicke

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.