High school football season preview: Enumclaw Hornets
The high school football season begins in early September and The News Tribune has been all over the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices before games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually before the season kicks off.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Enumclaw Hornets this fall.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s preseason practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on over 20 teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
ENUMCLAW HORNETS
Head coach, year: Mark Gunderson, 14th year
2024 results: 9-2, Class 3A state tournament first round
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Loren Standiford, Two-Back Multiple
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Mark Gunderson, 5-2
OUTLOOK
Ceding the league title to Decatur in the program’s first year moving up to the 3A North Puget Sound League didn’t sit well with the Enumclaw Hornets.
“It stung,” sophomore defensive lineman Kanias Alva said. “We’re out here this year, we’re hungry.”
Senior offensive lineman Nic Storem offered a blunt assessment of last year’s loss to Decatur.
“We definitely think the better team did not win that game,” he said.
Enumclaw will have its shot at revenge early, as the teams are scheduled to meet again in Week 1 on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Enumclaw Stadium (Pete’s Pool). It’s puzzling timing for a matchup with league title implications, but both teams will have to make the best of it. It adds a sense of urgency to Enumclaw’s August practices.
“Everyone knows it’s go time,” senior quarterback Gavin Trachte said. “There’s no messing around this year. Week 1, we’re getting thrown right into the fire. So we just need to prepare our tails off every day and practice how you play.”
Trachte returns for his second season as the team’s starter and has a host of big-bodied receivers to air the ball out to. As always, the Hornets have a strong offensive line. Keep an eye on sophomore running back Paxton Patterson, who Enumclaw coach Mark Gunderson believes is poised for a breakout season.
“He’s a big-time playmaker and he’s gonna be a lot to deal with. We don’t want to just run the ball, we want to take advantage of what the defense is giving us. When you’ve got good players, it sure makes it easy to do that.”
Enumclaw posted a 9-2 record last season and advanced to the Class 3A state tournament’s opening round.
KEY PLAYERS
QB Gavin Trachte, sr.
OL Nic Storem, sr.
RB Paxton Patterson, soph.
WR Kage Kuro, sr.
DL Kanias Alva-Thompson, soph.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 4: vs. Decatur
Sept. 3: at Todd Beamer
Sept. 18: vs. Kentlake
Sept. 25: at Federal Way
Oct. 2: vs. Thomas Jefferson
Oct. 10: at Kent-Meridian
Oct. 16: vs. Auburn Mountainview
Oct. 25: vs. Eastmont
Oct. 31: vs. White River
This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 8:31 PM.
