Graham-Kapowsin starting 14-year-old freshman QB. Can he lead Eagles to state again?
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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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Graham-Kapowsin football coach Jeff Logan didn’t expect to start a freshman at quarterback after graduating one of the state’s most dynamic playmakers last year.
But when Logan and his staff watched 14-year-old AJ Tuivaiave play over the spring and summer, they kept having flashbacks to Daveon Superales, the TNT’s 2023 All-Area player of the year. Particularly on a few pretty deep balls Tuivaiave completed.
“There’s been a couple throws where I look at my brother (and assistant coach) Greg, and go, ‘That looks a lot like a ball Daveon would’ve thrown,’ ” Logan said.
The two quarterbacks are built differently. Superales was 6-foot, 170 pounds. Tuivaiave, who will turn 15 in October, is already 6-foot-3 and around 205 pounds. But whatever their differences in stature, the one thing they have in common: they can both make all the throws.
“The reason we went with (Tuivaiave) and made that decision at the end of spring was just the ability for him to push the ball down the field,” Logan said. “He throws such a tight spiral, he knows where he’s going with it, he’s got the arm talent and the strength to push it down there.”
That’s not to say there won’t be some growing pains. While Tuivaiave already holds offers from Miami and Arizona State, he hasn’t played a snap of high school football. And he won’t get a soft landing, either, as Graham-Kapowsin opens on the road against perennial Class 3A state contender O’Dea on Friday, Sept. 6 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.
“There’s not a whole lot of easing him in,” Logan said, laughing. “The nice thing is we feel really, really good about what we return up front on both sides of the football. That allows us to hopefully run the ball more efficiently than we did last year, which takes a little bit of the burden off of a freshman starting quarterback.”
Tuivaiave has been praised for poise beyond his years. He doesn’t have the typical nervous demeanor of a freshman quarterback, especially one starting for a storied program like Graham-Kapowsin.
“I feel blessed,” said the soft-spoken Tuivaiave. “It’s another opportunity for me to show what I’ve got.”
Tuivaiave actually grew up playing left tackle before switching to quarterback sometime around the fourth or fifth grade. He watched Superales lead G-K to the state championship game in Husky Stadium last year.
“I watched him a lot,” Tuivaiave said. “Just studying him, seeing what I can take from him off his game play. His footwork, his pocket presence.”
Graham-Kapowsin graduated TNT All-Area and all-state receivers Malachi Durant (Oregon State) and Jabez Woods (Montana State) from last year’s team, but return receiver Khris Norris and tight end Noah Flores, a UCLA commit. Norris had to make the most of his limited touches in last year’s explosive G-K offense. This year, he’ll be the No. 1 wideout target for Tuivaiave in the passing game.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” Norris said. “I just want a moment where I can just shine, not be like the No. 3 guy. It’s my first time being the No. 1 receiver. It’s really exciting to have a chip on my shoulder.”
And his connection with Tuivaiave? It’s falling into place quickly.
“The connection is already there,” Norris said. “I’ve been knowing him from 7-on-7 so we already established our chemistry and all that. I have no excuses, no doubts.”
At this point, even the rebuilding years end up with Graham-Kapowsin in the state tournament. But Graham-Kapowsin isn’t considered a favorite to end up back in the state title game this year. That’s fuel for the fire for this year’s group.
“Y’all gonna be surprised, for sure,” Norris said. “This team right here, they’re hungry. This is a hungry team. I’ve never seen that hunger before.”
This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
