Everything you need to know about South Sound high school football entering 2023

By Jon Manley , Lauren Smith , Tyler Wicke and Doug Drowley

Updated August 31, 2023 10:13 AM

High school football is back

The News Tribune is visiting schools in the area and previewing local leagues as the first week of games approaches.

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The 2023 high school football season is set to begin Aug. 31.

During preseason practices the past two weeks, The News Tribune visited more than 30 local schools across the South Sound to get ready for the fall season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the top programs and players around the area heading into Week 1.

Lincoln’s Dre Sio Fetaui runs drills during practice at Lincoln High School, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in Tacoma, Wash. Brian Hayes bhayes@thenewstribune.com

SOUTH SOUND OVERVIEW

The top teams and players to watch in the area, which includes more than 60 football programs.

▪ 2023 South Sound preseason practice tour

▪ South Sound preseason power rankings

▪ South Sound teams that could surprise in 2023

▪ 10 games to watch in the South Sound during the 2023 season

▪ Five games to watch in the South Sound in Week 1

▪ South Sound Confidential: Toughest coaches to game plan against, underrated players

▪ 40 players to watch in the South Sound this season

▪ Here’s where things stand with the top recruits in the South Sound

▪ 2023 TNT high school fantasy football draft

▪ 2024-25 reclassification preview for South Sound leagues

Yelm’s Isaiah Patterson (left) and Brayden Platt take a break between drills during the Tornados’ preseason football practice at Yelm High School in Yelm, Washington, on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com

LEAGUE PREVIEWS

The favorites, contenders, games and players to watch, and predictions for seven local leagues.

▪ 4A North Puget Sound League

▪ 4A South Puget Sound League

▪ 3A North Puget Sound League

▪ 3A Pierce County League

▪ 3A South Sound Conference

▪ 2A South Puget Sound League

▪ 2A Evergreen Conference

Student-athletes huddles during a football practice at Emerald Ridge High School, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in Puyallup, Wash. Brian Hayes bhayes@thenewstribune.com

TEAM PREVIEWS

▪ Emerald Ridge football had historic season last fall. Can Jaguars build on that run in 2023?

▪ Perennial 4A football power Graham-Kapowsin gearing up for another title run in 2023

▪ Can Yelm go back-to-back? Tornados’ 3A state football title defense begins in September

Steilacoom players huddle during a practice at Steilacoom High School, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Steilacoom, Wash. Brian Hayes bhayes@thenewstribune.com

STATEWIDE

▪ These former Washington high school football players are on Division I rosters in 2023

▪ Statewide high school football scores, Week 1

This story was originally published August 31, 2023 at 10:00 AM.

Jon Manley

The News Tribune

253-358-4151

Jon Manley covers high school sports for The News Tribune. A McClatchy President’s Award winner and Gonzaga University graduate, Manley has covered the South Sound sports scene since 2013. He was voted the Washington state sportswriter of the year in 2024 by the National Sports Media Association. Born and raised in Tacoma. Support my work with a digital subscription

Lauren Smith

The News Tribune

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Lauren Smith is a sports reporter at The News Tribune. She has covered high school sports for TNT and The Olympian, as well as the Seattle Mariners and Washington Huskies. She is a graduate of UW and Emerald Ridge High School.