High school football season preview: 4A South Puget Sound League
High school football is back in the South Sound. Practices are underway as programs across the state prepare for the beginning of the 2022 season in September.
The News Tribune and The Olympian will be visiting schools in the area and previewing local leagues as the first week of games approaches.
Follow along with us throughout the two-week preseason for previews on the 4A NPSL, 4A SPSL, 3A NPSL, 3A PCL, 3A SSC, 2A SPSL, 2A EvCo and more.
4A SOUTH PUGET SOUND LEAGUE
Who’s the favorite?
Graham-Kapowsin finished a perfect 15-0 last fall, cruising through its 4A SPSL schedule and the state playoffs on the way to the first state championship in program history, when the Eagles routed Lake Stevens, 44-7, in the 4A title game. They added another win two weeks later in Las Vegas in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series, when they shocked Georgia 7A state champion Collins Hill in the final seconds to secure a 40-36 victory. Graham-Kapowsin graduated much of the group that led the way during the historic 2021 season, but what the program has accomplished consistently in recent years can’t be argued. The Eagles have advanced to the 4A state playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, and enter 2022 on a 20-game winning streak. They are the three-time defending 4A SPSL champions and haven’t lost a league contest since an overtime defeat against Puyallup in 2018. The state’s reigning Gatorade Player of the Year and 4A SPSL offensive player of the year Joshua Wood (Fresno State), 4A SPSL co-MVP Julian Mason (Idaho State), co-offensive lineman of the year Vega Ioane (Penn State), defensive lineman of the year Curtis Hill (Idaho State) and six more first-team selections have all graduated, but the Eagles do return seven starters from last season’s group, including co-MVP and two-way standout at running back and linebacker Jalen Davenport, who is working his way back from a knee injury. That said, Sumner, another perennial power in this league since joining the 4A ranks in 2016, could also certainly compete for the top spot in the 4A SPSL this fall. Sumner finished 9-2 last season, dropping their only two losses to Graham-Kapowsin and Eastlake in the state quarterfinals. The Spartans also graduated several key playmakers from last season’s group, including 4A SPSL defensive player of the year Tristan Dunn (Washington), but return 12 starters and a pair of 4A SPSL first-teamers in lineman Kyle Martin and wide receiver and safety Jay Mentink, a Princeton football and baseball commit.
Any other contenders?
The 4A SPSL proves one of the toughest leagues in the state season after season, and several teams this season again have the talent and depth to win big games on Friday nights. … Puyallup is another perennial contender in this league — the Vikings are the most recent 4A SPSL team to win a title in 2018, before Graham-Kapowsin’s recent run — and at the state level, having advanced to each of the past four 4A state brackets. The Vikings finished 8-3 last season, with their only losses to league rivals Graham-Kapowsin and Sumner, and then Camas in the first round of the state playoffs. They graduated the league’s co-offensive lineman of the year in Dave Iuli (Oregon), but return 12 starters and three 4A SPSL first-team selections. … Emerald Ridge could also compete with the league’s top teams, bringing back 13 starters from last season’s district playoffs team, and will again look to advance to the state playoffs for the first time in school history. … Bellarmine Prep also advanced to the district playoffs last season, and brings back eight starters. … So did Curtis, which returns 16 starters. Olympia, which returns 14, could also contend after missing out on the postseason last fall.
Save the date
▪ Friday, Sept. 2 — Emerald Ridge vs. Puyallup, 7 p.m. at Sparks Stadium (Puyallup)
▪ Friday, Sept. 2 — Curtis vs. Olympia, 7 p.m. at Ingersoll Stadium (Olympia)
▪ Friday, Sept. 23 — Sumner vs. Puyallup, 7 p.m. at Sparks Stadium (Puyallup)
▪ Friday, Sept. 30 — Sumner vs. Graham-Kapowsin, 7 p.m. at Art Crate Field (Spanaway)
▪ Friday, Oct. 21 — Emerald Ridge vs. Graham-Kapowsin, 7 p.m. at Art Crate Field (Spanaway)
Did you know?
▪ The 4A SPSL has sent multiple programs to each of the past five 4A state brackets since the league expanded in 2016. Graham-Kapowsin, Sumner and Puyallup each advanced last season. In 2019, Graham-Kapowsin and Puyallup advanced. In 2018, Puyallup, Graham-Kapowsin and Curtis advanced. In 2017, Puyallup, Graham-Kapowsin and Sumner advanced. And in 2016, Sumner, Graham-Kapowsin and Bellarmine Prep advanced.
▪ Per 247Sports.com records, the 4A SPSL sent 17 players to Division I programs from last year’s senior class, more than any other league in the state in that cycle. Those who signed in the 2022 class from the league included: Emerald Ridge wide receiver Denzel Boston (UW), Sumner safety Tristan Dunn (UW), Puyallup wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (Idaho), Graham-Kapowsin defensive lineman Curtis Hill (Idaho State), Graham-Kapowsin defensive lineman Hunter Hill (Idaho State), Graham-Kapowsin offensive lineman Vega Ioane (Penn State), Puyallup offensive lineman Dave Iuli (Oregon), Puyallup offensive lineman Tyler Lawrence (Air Force), Rogers defensive lineman Evai Malu (Utah Tech), Graham-Kapowsin wide receiver Julian Mason (Idaho State), Sumner kicker Wyatt Redding (Boise State, walk-on), Bethel defensive lineman Elias Sanders (Portland State), Graham-Kapowsin tight end Andrew Savaiinaea (Florida), Sumner defensive lineman Andrew Tillett (Air Force), Sumner linebacker Peyton Wing (Portland State), Bellarmine Prep safety Tristan Warner (UW, walk-on) and Graham-Kapowsin quarterback Joshua Wood (Fresno State).
10 players to watch
RB/LB Jalen Davenport, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
LB/DB Wyatt Gordon, Puyallup, sr.
QB Rocco Koch, Curtis, jr.
WR/DB Mason Juergens, Olympia, sr.
TE/DL Jacob Lane, Emerald Ridge, sr.
OL Kyle Martin, Sumner, sr.
WR/DB Jay Mentink, Sumner, sr.
WR/DB Dane Parker, Puyallup, sr.
LB/DB Ethan Pletcher, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
QB Jake Schakel, Emerald Ridge, jr.
Predicted order of finish
Graham-Kapowsin, Sumner, Emerald Ridge, Puyallup, Curtis, Olympia, Bellarmine Prep, Bethel, Rogers, South Kitsap
This story was originally published August 23, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
