High school football season preview: 3A 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.
3A Puget Sound League
What’s new this year?
Everything! The league is new, a merger of the 3A South Sound Conference and the 3A Pierce County League. Yelm, Bonney Lake and Spanaway Lake moved up to 4A and won’t be part of the new league, but the league adds Bellarmine Prep, which dropped down to 3A and left the 4A SPSL. The league sits at 12 schools and will have two divisions. The Narrows: Bellarmine, Central Kitsap, Gig Harbor, Lincoln, Mount Tahoma and Silas. The Nisqually: Capital, Lakes, North Thurston, Peninsula, River Ridge, Timberline.
Who’s the favorite?
In the Narrows, we like Lincoln’s chances. The Abes return sophomore quarterback Sione Kaho, who holds offers from UW, Oregon, Cal and BYU. He’s poised for a big season and will be one of the state’s top quarterbacks this fall. Defensively, linebacker Dre Sio Fetaui is a tone-setter. Lincoln had a rebuilding year in 2023 and still made it to the 3A state tournament. A return this year seems likely.
In the Nisqually, Lakes has the pieces to get back to the playoffs this year after missing the postseason last fall. Linebackers Ta’u Mareko and Michael Pulalasi will be all over the place on defense, there’s talent on the offensive and defensive lines and receiver Tristan Baker leads a group of playmakers. Lakes’ success will largely depend on the play of senior quarterback Willie Nash, who steps into the starting role this fall.
Any other contenders?
Plenty. The Narrows division is particularly intriguing. Mount Tahoma, which advanced to the 3A state tournament quarterfinals last season, has playmakers everywhere, particularly at defensive back. Junior corner Elijah Durr holds offers from UW, Arizona State, Arizona, Michigan State and others. The T-Birds return six starters on offense and eight on defense. Despite losing Marquise Thorpe-Taylor (UCLA) on the offensive line, the T-Birds will be big up front again and should be able to run the football with junior RB Felix Diaz. Gig Harbor can contend this year. The Tides return QB Koi Calhoun and a talented group of wide receivers, led by DJ Darling. Bellarmine Prep is the wild card. The Lions gave the 4A SPSL’s best programs challenging games and should fit in well in Class 3A. Senior QB Birk Johnston has a pair of experienced receivers at his disposal in seniors Gabe Gomez and Cooper Fournier.
In the Nisqually, it wouldn’t shock us if Peninsula ended up winning the division. The Seahawks are always well coached under longtime coach Ross Filkins, who has raved about the development of senior QB Mana Smythe. Peninsula should be balanced on offense with a strong group of running backs led by team captain Wyatt Abrigo. Could Capital factor in? The Cougars feel good about what they return, particularly at linebacker and running back. Senior Blake Ostrander racked up nearly 1,000 yards on the ground last season.
Save the date
- Sept. 7: Peninsula vs. Gig Harbor (at Mount Tahoma High School)
- Sept. 27: Gig Harbor at Lincoln
- Oct. 4: Lincoln at Mount Tahoma
- Oct. 11: Lakes at Peninsula
- Oct. 25: Bellarmine Prep at Gig Harbor
15 PLAYERS TO WATCH
RB/LB Wyatt Abrigo, Peninsula, sr.
WR/RB Tristan Baker, Lakes, jr.
OL Royal Charles, Peninsula, jr.
WR DJ Darling, Gig Harbor, jr.
WR/DB Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma, jr.
WR Gabe Gomez, Bellarmine Prep, sr.
OL/DL Peyton Howard, Gig Harbor, jr.
QB Sione Kaho, Lincoln, soph.
OL Jimmy Leiato, River Ridge, sr.
LB Ta’u Mareko, Lakes, jr.
WR Jake Nadeau, Timberline, sr.
OL/DL Malachi Neilson, Mount Tahoma, sr.
RB Blake Ostrander, Capital, sr.
LB Dre Sio Fetaui, Lincoln, sr.
RB/LB Timothy Sousou, Central Kitsap, jr.
Predicted order of finish
Narrows: Lincoln, Mount Tahoma, Gig Harbor, Bellarmine, Central Kitsap, Silas
Nisqually: Lakes, Peninsula, Capital, Timberline, River Ridge, North Thurston
This story was originally published August 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
