High school football season preview: Peninsula Seahawks
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 Peninsula Seahawks 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.
PENINSULA SEAHAWKS
Head coach, year: Clay Mauro, first year
2024 results: 4-6, Class 3A district playoffs
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Jim Fairfield, Multiple
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Joel Epstein, 3-4 Multiple
OUTLOOK
Clay Mauro knows he has big shoes to fill. Peninsula’s former defensive assistant took the reins of the Seahawks program this spring when longtime head coach Ross Filkins stepped down from the position after 30 years in December, concluding the South Sound’s longest tenure.
“Everybody told me I had big shoes to fill,” Mauro told The News Tribune on a sunny Thursday afternoon at Roy Anderson Field. “I then proceed to say, ‘I’ve never seen Ross in Jordans.’ But then (Ross) proceeds to send me photos of him being married in Jordans, so I can never outdo him.”
With 15 returning starters and a pair of coordinators each with 27+ years of experience, Mauro and the Seahawks expect to hit the ground running after a postseason appearance last fall (4-6). Peninsula’s new coach won’t disturb the Seahawks tradition Filkins established over three decades — opting to put the finishing touches on his “modernized” approach.
“(Filkins’) whole mantra of ‘11 as 1,’ we’re never getting rid of that,” Mauro said. “It’s a trademark thing.”
What else is new in Purdy? Peninsula has a new quarterback. 6-foot-4 junior Talen McDonnell steps in as signal-caller, the basketball team’s starting point guard considered by Mauro as one of the area’s “dark horses” with a rocket arm and quarterback’s mentality.
“(McDonnell and senior Lucas Wiseman) were in a quarterback battle going into spring, and Lucas figured out he could be more of an asset to us playing receiver/defensive end. He actually stepped back to allow Talan (to play QB),” Mauro said. “I mean, think about that.”
Peninsula returns two-way lineman Royal Charles, a Western Oregon commit who projects as a defensive tackle at the next level. Mauro dubbed returning RB Jacob Martin “Jake the Shake,” a jitterbug with sharp cuts and back-end burst.
On tap for Week 1? Peninsula and Gig Harbor meet at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma for the annual Fish Bowl rivalry on Sept. 6, when the 3A Seahawks have their chance to bring home bragging rights for the first time since 2022.
“That whole week is just animosity from the other team,” Charles said. “Fans are chirping at you. You’ve got people chirping at you when you walk into grocery stores. It’s overall a good feeling. You’re playing in the biggest game of your career besides the state championship game. You have little kids in the stadium yelling your name. You have parents yelling your name. Make a big play, you get to celebrate with the crowd.”
KEY PLAYERS
OL/DL Royal Charles, sr.
QB Talen McDonnell, jr.
RB Jacob Martin, sr.
WR Aidan Muilenburg, jr.
ATH Nemo Grandorff, sr.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6: vs. Gig Harbor
Sept. 11: at Curtis
Sept. 19: vs. Bonney Lake
Sept. 26: at Capital
Oct. 3: vs. North Thurston
Oct. 10: at Lakes
Oct. 17: at River Ridge
Oct. 24: vs. Timberline
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
