High school football: 5 predictions for 2025 season in South Sound
The high school football season begins next week in the South Sound and across Washington. We’ll be cranking out coverage in the coming weeks — the TNT’s annual preseason practice tour, league previews, features, top player lists, predictions and more. A digital subscription to The News Tribune grants you unlimited access to all of our coverage, all season long.
Before the season begins next week, here are five predictions for the upcoming season.
Kase Betz leads 4A SPSL in receiving yards
There are a handful of talented receivers in the 4A SPSL, but I like what I saw from Graham-Kapowsin’s Betz in a breakout season in his sophomore year last fall. Eagles’ coach Jeff Logan is never shy about airing out the football, and I’m banking on the connection between sophomore QB AJ Tuivaiave and Betz growing even stronger this year. As far as competition for this title, keep an eye on 6-foot-5 Puyallup junior wideout J’Isaiah Mitchell, too.
Puyallup takes a major step forward
Speaking of Puyallup, I think a handful of impact transfers and a roster returning a handful of talented pieces from last year’s 4A state tournament team will equal an improved and dangerous squad this year. Puyallup welcomes first-year head coach DJ Mims, who turned Mercer Island into a contender up north. Will it be enough to de-throne defending league and state champion Sumner in the 4A SPSL’s North division? We’ll make that prediction in our 4A SPSL league preview later this month.
Life Christian wins 1A state title
The Eagles nearly pulled off the upset over second-seeded Seton Catholic in the 1A state tournament quarterfinals last fall, losing a 42-41 thriller. I’m forecasting a monster season for senior QB Jabez Boyd, who will be one of the state’s best dual-threat quarterbacks this fall, regardless of classification. LCA coach Hershel Dennis — a former California prep star and USC player under Pete Carroll — knows what good football players look like, and he’s bullish on Boyd’s chances this season with the same offensive system. Watch out.
Lincoln vs. Mount Tahoma decides the 3A PSL Narrows title
I think there’s a case to be made for either of these teams to win the league this year. Mount Tahoma returns WR/CB Elijah Durr, a UW commit, and dangerous dual-threat QB Mikkah Cordero. Lincoln returns four-star junior QB Sione Kaho, who is poised for his biggest high school season yet. I’m envisioning a tight, back-and-forth game when the two teams meet on Oct. 3.
Franklin Pierce advances to 2A state tournament semifinals
I love the upward trajectory I’m seeing from Trevor Hanson’s program, which I wrote about last fall. The Cardinals the past few years: 1-9 record in 2021, 5-5 in 2022, 7-3 in 2023 and last year, 11-1 winners of the 2A SPSL with a trip to the state tournament quarterfinals. Franklin Pierce’s loaded non-league schedule includes games against 3A state tournament regular Lincoln and 2A state power Lynden, which should serve the Cardinals well last year (look how a tough non-league slate prepared 4A Sumner last fall). I think Franklin Pierce gets to the state tournament semifinals this year.
This story was originally published August 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
