Look who’s still undefeated through Week 3 — surprising Stadium joins the power list
Stadium High School football is perfect through the first three weeks of the 2023 season.
The Tigers opened their schedule with a 26-21 win over visiting Cedarcrest the first week of September, followed that up with a 28-0 victory over Heritage on the road in Vancouver, then shut out Tacoma Public Schools rival Silas, 24-0, last week to open Class 3A Pierce County League play.
Tigers second-year coach Patrick Johnson — who has previously coached in the South Sound, Virginia, Georgia and at the college level in Texas — has seen the program continue to make positive strides along the way.
“Just moments in time that have showed that we’ve changed a little bit, and the culture’s changed a little bit,” he said Tuesday afternoon at a sunny Stadium Bowl.
Stadium has already bested last season’s 2-8 record, football participation has increased and the program has found quick success the second season in Johnson’s system.
“We’re bigger, we’re stronger, we’re older,” Johnson said of where the Tigers are now, entering Week 4 of their 2023 schedule with a meeting against perennial state contender Lakes ahead Thursday.
Linebackers Avery Coleman and Dominic Fualaau, both seniors and team captains, are among the playmakers who have led the Tigers to early wins.
“Us as seniors and a lot of the juniors have stepped up and taken leadership roles, and kind of helped hold everybody accountable,” said Coleman, who has a team-leading 15 tackles and an interception.
“We’ve been a lot more disciplined,” Fualaau, who has nine tackles, a sack, an interception and a caused fumble through three games, said of the progress the Tigers have made.
The Tigers allowed three touchdowns in the first half of their season-opener — eventually rallying for a comeback win — but haven’t allowed a point since, posting 10 consecutive scoreless quarters.
The defense has combined for eight tackles for loss, four sacks and six interceptions — two returned for touchdowns — in the three wins.
On offense, junior quarterback Donovan Gill has missed some time due to injury, but has four total touchdowns (one passing, two rushing, one interception return) in two games played. Sophomore quarterback Kooper Tasler has also thrown three touchdown passes.
Sophomore Darius Sum is averaging a team-leading 104.7 all-purpose yards per game and has three total touchdowns, while senior Alex Lindgren leads the Tigers in rushing, is averaging 98.3 all-purpose yards per game and also has three total touchdowns.
Stadium has scored at least one touchdown in all three phases.
“It’s been fun to see everybody grow and improve,” said Coleman, who noted the progress Stadium has made since spring practices.
And the Tigers’ confidence has continued to rise as wins have piled up this first month.
“More confident than I’ve seen us in a while,” Fualaau said. “I think we have a real shot.”
As the season continues, the Tigers remain focused on making progress as a team each week.
“We’re here to improve and show what we’re about,” Fualaau said.
Stadium hosts Lakes (2-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Stadium Bowl.
UNDEFEATED SOUTH SOUND TEAMS
Three weeks into the high school football season, several South Sound programs remain undefeated.
Here’s a look at 12 teams representing nine local leagues with perfect records, how they got here and what’s next.
4A NPSL
Decatur
Golden Gators have already matched their wins total from last fall after posting convincing nonleague victories over 3A NPSL opponents Kentlake (48-7) and Thomas Jefferson (46-0), and routing 4A NPSL rival Kentridge (60-14) in their league opener. Decatur travels to play four-time undefeated league champion Kennedy Catholic (2-1) on Saturday.
4A SPSL
Curtis
QB Rocco Koch (38-of-46 passing, 645 yards, 10 TDs; 65 carries, 458 yards, six TDs) has posted three stellar performances for a Vikings program that is 3-0 for the first time since 2018. 4A SPSL title contenders have early league wins over, Olympia (45-13), defending league champion Sumner (38-33) and Bethel (35-20). Curtis hosts Emerald Ridge (3-0) on Friday.
Emerald Ridge
Jaguars looking to build on last season’s historic trip to the 4A state semifinals, and are off to a quick start with 4A SPSL victories over Puyallup (36-23), Olympia (34-0) and Sumner (42-28). QB Jake Schakel (51-of-75 passing, 925 yards, 12 TDs), an Eastern Washington commit, has Emerald Ridge offense rolling early. Jaguars are 3-0 for first time since 2007, and will look to add another win on the road Friday at Curtis (3-0).
Graham-Kapowsin
Eagles have now opened eight of the past 10 seasons — including the undefeated state title run in 2021 — with a 3-0 record following 4A SPSL wins over Rogers (49-10), Puyallup (42-13) and Olympia (27-13). QB Daveon Superales (74-of-100 passing, 818 yards, 13 TDs) and WR Malachi Durant (15 catches, 261 yards, seven total TDs), an Oregon State commit, have paced Graham-Kapowsin’s new high-flying offense early on. Eagles host Bellarmine Prep (2-1) on Thursday in another league contest.
3A PCL
Stadium
The Tigers posted early nonleague wins over Cedarcrest (26-21) and Heritage (28-0) before shutting out Silas (24-0) — their first win over their Tacoma Public Schools rival since 2016 — last week to open 3A PCL play. Stadium hasn’t allowed a point in 10 quarters, and has already scored at least one TD in all three phases. Tigers host perennial state power Lakes (2-1) in a league contest Thursday.
3A SSC
Yelm
Reigning 3A SSC and 3A state champions finished a perfect 14-0 to win their first state title last fall, and have added three more wins this month — over 4A power Camas (8-7), Union (62-34) and league opponent Central Kitsap (56-6) — to push their active streak to 17. Yelm is 33-1 the past four seasons. Tornados host River Ridge (0-3) in a 3A SSC contest Friday.
2A SPSL
Enumclaw
Defending 2A SPSL champions have early wins over 3A state regular Peninsula (20-13) and league rivals Franklin Pierce (28-6) and Steilacoom (42-0) the first three weeks. Hornets have won 15 of their past 16 dating back to last September, and are looking to improve on a program-best appearance in the state semifinals last fall. Friday’s trip to Orting (3-0) a key contest in 2A SPSL title race.
Orting
Cardinals are 3-0 for the first time since 2015, and have looked the part of a 2A SPSL contender early with wins over a pair of 2022 state bracket teams in Fife (28-14) and Washington (46-6), as well as White River (42-14). Freshman RB Shiron Seniours averaging 100-plus all-purpose yards per game with team-leading seven total TDs. Enumclaw (3-0) visits the Cardinals on Friday in a key league matchup.
2A EvCo
Tumwater
Perennial 2A state power Tumwater is rolling again early behind its usual Wing-T attack (11 rushing TDs) and eight passing TDs from QB Ethan Kastner. T-Birds have posted convincing wins over Burlington-Edison (49-8), last year’s 2A state runner-up North Kitsap (34-14) and Kelso (54-0). Tumwater opens 2A EvCo play Friday against Centralia (0-3) .
1A Nisqually
Cascade Christian
Cascade Christian has several playmakers on an offense that has piled up 14 TDs — including 12 rushing — in three games, while LB Byson Vasquez (33 tackles, eight tackles for loss, seven sacks) paces the Cougars’ defense. Defending 1A Nisqually champions have early nonleague wins over Cedar Park Christian (34-18), Elma (40-20) and Eatonville (26-0), and open league play against East Jefferson (0-3) on Saturday.
1B Southwest (8-man)
Chief Leschi
Both of Chief Leschi’s first two contests this season have resulted in convincing wins over Tulalip Heritage (68-38) and Winlock (54-20). 1B Southwest play continues Friday against Oakville (1-2).
1B Coastal (6-man)
Northwest Christian of Lacey
Wolverines opened 1B Coastal play with a 72-26 win over Evergreen Lutheran, and added a nonleague victory over Easton (62-7) the following week to open the season 2-0. Northwest Christian hosts the Eagles (1-1) again Friday.
