Week 4: What we learned from this week’s high school football games in the South Sound
The fourth week of high school football in the South Sound provided another shakeup in the Class 4A South Puget Sound League standings, and several programs kept their undefeated seasons going.
Here’s what we learned in Week 4:
FEDERAL WAY, KENNEDY CATHOLIC SET FOR 4A NPSL CLASH WITH TITLE IMPLICATIONS
Federal Way quickly got the bad taste of a blowout loss to Lake Stevens in Week 3 out of its mouth, beating 4A North Puget Sound League opponent Kentridge soundly, 42-7, on Friday night at French Field in Kent.
The Eagles held Kentridge quarterback Dorian Thomas — an Oregon State commit who is projected to play tight end in college — without a point after the 10:44 mark in the second quarter.
“The defense just kind of stepped up and started making some plays,” Federal Way coach Marcus Yzaguirre said.
The win moves Federal Way to 3-1 on the season and undefeated in 4A NPSL play, setting up what’s all but certainly the league title game Friday night on the road against Kennedy Catholic (3-1).
The Eagles also picked up wins over 3A NPSL programs Todd Beamer and Thomas Jefferson before the loss to Lake Stevens.
Three-time defending league champion Kennedy Catholic has won three consecutive games since a loss to perennial 3A state power Eastside Catholic in its season-opener, routing Highline in a nonleague game, and 4A NPSL opponents Kentwood and Decatur the past three weeks.
It should be a fun one, pitting Federal Way’s talented secondary against Kennedy Catholic’s high-flying offense.
4A SPSL SHAKEUP CONTINUES
For the first time since the 4A SPSL expanded to its current configuration in 2016, no program will make an undefeated run through league play.
Puyallup entered Week 4 as the league’s final remaining unbeaten team, but Sumner shook up the standings by handing the Vikings their first loss in a 40-10 rout.
There are now five 4A SPSL teams — Bethel, Emerald Ridge, Graham-Kapowsin, Puyallup and Sumner — sitting at 3-1 entering Week 5.
“Nobody’s safe,” Sumner coach Keith Ross said after the Spartans’ win Friday night at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. “You better bring it every night, or else you’re not going to win in this league.”
This is perhaps the most parity the league has had at the top during the seven-season stretch since 2016.
Sumner won an undefeated 4A SPSL championship that season, in its first year moving into the 4A ranks.
Puyallup then made back-to-back undefeated runs through the league in 2017 and 2018.
Three-time defending champion Graham-Kapowsin controlled the 4A SPSL in 2019, the shortened 2021 spring season and last fall, rattling off 27 consecutive league wins before Puyallup finally snapped the Eagles’ impressive streak in Week 2.
More contests between top tier teams are looming. Week 5 features a matchup of two perennial league and state powers in Sumner and Graham-Kapowsin on Friday night at Art Crate Field in Spanaway. The Eagles have won the past five in the series.
SUMNER REGROUPS WITH CONVINCING WIN OVER PUYALLUP
Friday night against valley rival Puyallup, Sumner delivered the performance Ross has been waiting for.
“That’s the team that I knew I had,” the longtime Spartans coach said following their convincing victory over the Vikings.
After scoring only a pair of touchdowns and a field goal in the first two quarters across their first three games, the Spartans scored early and often on their way to a 30-point win.
Sumner needed second-half comebacks to earn wins over Bellarmine Prep and Curtis the first two weeks, then dropped its first loss to Emerald Ridge before regrouping with the victory over the Vikings.
“I think last week was a reality check,” Sumner senior wide receiver and safety Jay Mentink said. “So, this week in practice, our intensity was different. We really wanted this game. The intensity rose, and we rose to the occasion.”
Sumner collected 400-plus yards of offense, three touchdowns through the air and three more on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Spartans limited Puyallup to a field goal and a touchdown, and shut the Vikings out entirely in the second half.
“The first three weeks were kind of off, so I think this is the confidence-builder that we needed,” Mentink said. “So, I’m ready to keep it rolling through the rest of the season.
ENUMCLAW IN DRIVER’S SEAT IN 2A SPSL
In the kind of tough, physical game we were expecting, Enumclaw beat Fife in a pivotal 2A South Puget Sound League contest, 27-21.
These are two teams that make no secret of what they want to do — run the football until the opponent’s will breaks. Both teams were up to the task in this one, an exciting back-and-forth affair that went down to the wire.
Enumclaw running back Emmit Otero rushed for a game-high 127 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. Wide receiver Karson Holt led the Hornets with 48 yards on three catches, and Austin Paulson hauled in a pair of receptions for 36 yards.
For Fife, Beau Fualaau continued his impressive season, rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. He also threw a touchdown pass on a trick play. Gavin Schneider rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries.
Enumclaw moves to 4-0 on the season, a record which includes a road win over last season’s 3A South Sound Conference co-champion Peninsula, one of the South Sound’s most consistent programs.
We think the Hornets have all the pieces to make some noise in the 2A state bracket this year. It starts up front with center Zeke Luchi and a Hornets offensive line coach Mark Gunderson feels is the best he’s had in his 11 years at Enumclaw, and a physical running game led by Otero.
The Hornets are a run-first team, but are effective throwing the ball, too. Quarterback Gunnar Trachte has legitimate threats in Paulson, Holt and Bo Dods. And while Enumclaw’s defense wasn’t flawless against Fife’s attack, it’s a physical group that flies around to the football.
STILL UNDEFEATED
Last week, 13 programs across the South Sound still held undefeated records.
This week there are eight, including three in 3A, two in 2A and three more in 1A.
Two defending league champions and another perennial contender enter Week 5 without a loss in the 3A ranks.
Yelm, last season’s 3A SSC co-champion, which is expected to make a deep run in the state bracket this fall, continues to roll through its regular season schedule.
After picking up statement wins over 4A powers Camas (44-14) and Union (46-6) the first two weeks, the Tornados have opened league play with back-to-back routs of Central Kitsap (58-0) and River Ridge (65-7).
Yelm has outscored opponents 213-27 on the way to an early 4-0 record.
Reigning 3A PCL champion Lincoln is also off to a 4-0 start after posting a two-touchdown win over Mount Tahoma (35-21) on Friday night at Lincoln Bowl to open league play.
The Abes have earlier wins over last year’s 3A NPSL champion Auburn Riverside (28-21) and 4A programs Skyline (35-27) and Camas (42-28).
Lakes is off to a 3-0 start following a rout of Stadium (53-7) last week.
The Lancers also have earlier wins over Kentwood (50-23) and Bonney Lake (33-14). Their scheduled Week 2 game against River Ridge was canceled due to poor air quality.
In a game with possible league title implications, league favorite Enumclaw won a meeting of undefeated 2A SPSL programs against Fife (27-21) last week to improve to 4-0.
The Hornets’ first three victories were against last season’s 3A SSC co-champion Peninsula (29-28), Silas (62-14) and Washington (41-7).
Last season’s 2A EvCo champion and 2A state runner-up is off to a 4-0 start, too.
Tumwater rolled by Centralia (56-7) in last week’s league opener after picking up wins against Burlington-Edison (34-7), North Kitsap (8-6) and Kelso (38-19) the first three weeks.
Eatonville, last season’s 1A Evergreen champion and 1A state runner-up, added a win over Bellevue Christian (38-20) last week.
The Cruisers have also cruised by Olympic (47-27), Orting (35-14) and Cascade Christian (35-7) to open 4-0.
Eatonville travels to play another local 4-0 program in Tenino this week, in a game that could play a part in deciding the 1A Evergreen champion this season.
Tenino routed Onalaska (40-6) last week to add to earlier wins against Pe Ell-Willapa Valley (20-7), Sequim (52-14) and Klahowya (62-14).
Vashon Island did not play in Week 4, but won its first three games against Fort Vancouver (21-18), Sultan (21-0) and Blaine (17-6).
There are 48 programs in the state across all six classifications that have yet to lose a contest.
