High school football season preview: 4A South Puget Sound League
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High school football preview ’24
The News Tribune will be visiting schools in the area and previewing local leagues as the first week of games approaches.
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High school football is back in the South Sound. Practices are underway as programs across the state prepare for the beginning of the 2024 season.
The News Tribune 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 PSL, 2A SPSL, 2A EvCo and more.
4A SOUTH PUGET SOUND LEAGUE
What’s new this year?
As a result of the WIAA’s four-year classification cycles, the 4A SPSL grows from 10 to 12 schools this school year. Former member Bellarmine Prep opted down to 3A, while the league adds Yelm, Spanaway Lake and Bonney Lake.
The larger size means the league will need to split to a two-division format across all sports. In the North: Curtis, Emerald Ridge, Puyallup, Rogers, South Kitsap and Sumner. In the South: Bethel, Bonney Lake, Graham-Kapowsin, Olympia, Spanaway Lake and Yelm.
The move to divisions also means the league’s members can now schedule non-league opponents in football. In the past, the entire regular season was made up of league games. The two division winners meet in Week 9 in a crossover league championship game.
Who’s the favorite?
In the North, we like Sumner’s chances this year. The Spartans graduated starting quarterback Tristan Rebar, but welcome senior Mount Si transfer Nate Donovan, who is turning heads with a big arm. Sumner has weapons on offense, namely running back Steele Isaacs (1,200 yards, 14 TDs last year), sophomore national recruit Bralyon Pope (615 yards, 10 TDs) and TNT All-Area tight end Carter Cocke (450 yards, eight TDs), a Montana State commit.
The biggest question is how long it’ll take Sumner’s young offensive line to gel. Sumner’s defense returns eight starters and should be as tough as ever, talented up front and on the back end.
In the South, we’re going with defending 4A state runner-up Graham-Kapowsin until someone knocks them off. The Eagles lost TNT All-Area player of the year Daveon Superales, as well as star receivers Malachi Durant and Jabez Woods, so it may take a little time before G-K is firing on all cylinders.
The cupboard, though, is far from bare. Remember the name AJ Tuivaiave — he’ll be the team’s starting QB as a freshman this year at just 14 years old (he turns 15 in October). At 6-foot-3 and just over 200 pounds, Tuivaiave doesn’t look like a freshman, and has already turned heads with his big arm and poise beyond his years. Senior receiver Khris Norris becomes the No. 1 wideout and TE Noah Flores, a UCLA commit, is poised for a big season.
Any other contenders?
Puyallup and Curtis could factor into the North league race, as well. Puyallup is loaded at the skill positions and features one of the league’s promising young rosters, highlighted by junior WR/DB Jasiah Denmark, sophomore WR/DB J’isaiah Mitchell and RB/WR Kyson Douglas. Sophomore QB Brayden Paulino, who started from Week 3 on as a freshman last fall, figures to take a step forward this year, too.
Curtis graduated TNT All-Area and all-state QB Rocco Koch (now at Idaho), who was a one-man wrecking crew as a runner for the Vikings last season. But the Vikings return star wideouts Parker Mady (975 yards, 13 TDs in 2023) and Xavier Ahrens (893 yards, 12 TDs; four INTs on defense), as well as nine starters on a defensive unit that should be improved this season.
In the South, after back-to-back trips to the 3A state championship game, including a title in 2022, Yelm is ready for the new challenge of the 4A SPSL. Things figure to be tougher without Brayden Platt (Oregon) and Isaiah Patterson (UCLA), but the Tornados are big up front, as they typically are under 12th-year coach Jason Ronquillo. Tight end Jacob Tracy, 6-foot-5, and 265 pounds, makes the move to tackle this season to help the line.
Save the date
Sept. 27: Bethel at Olympia, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3: Puyallup at Sumner, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4: Graham-Kapowsin at Yelm, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18: Sumner at Curtis, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25: Curtis at Puyallup, 7 p.m.
Did you know?
Graham-Kapowsin and Yelm both played in state championship games at Husky Stadium last fall. Graham-Kapowsin lost to Lake Stevens in the 4A title game, while Yelm fell to Bellevue in the 3A title game.
15 PLAYERS TO WATCH
WR/LB Xavier Ahrens, Curtis, sr.
DL Josiah Asuega, South Kitsap, sr.
OL Ayden Bullinger, Graham-Kapowsin, soph.
CB D’Aryhian Clemons, Spanaway Lake, sr.
TE Carter Cocke, Sumner, sr.
OL/DL Gecova Doyal, Puyallup, soph.
TE Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
LB Austin Glivar, Sumner, jr.
OL/DL Chris Hauss, Yelm, sr.
WR Parker Mady, Curtis, sr.
WR Khris Norris, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
WR Braylon Pope, Sumner, soph.
LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Bethel, sr.
TE/FB/OLB Kaden Rolfsness, Puyallup, sr.
OL/DL Jacob Tracy, Yelm. sr.
Predicted order of finish
North: Sumner, Puyallup, Curtis, South Kitsap, Emerald Ridge, Rogers
South: Graham-Kapowsin, Yelm, Bethel, Olympia, Spanaway Lake, Bonney Lake
This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
