High school football season preview: Curtis Vikings
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 Curtis Vikings 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.
CURTIS VIKINGS
Head coach: Darren McKay, sixth season
2024 results: 6-5, Class 4A state tournament first round
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Carter McKay, Spread
Defensive coordinator: Darren McKay
OUTLOOK
TNT All-Area selections Parker Mady and Xavier Ahrens, who were both star receivers at Curtis last year, are gone. They’ve graduated and are both now playing at Montana State. What Curtis does return, though, is a veteran offensive line, anchored by 6-foot-6 Idaho commit Kingston Kerkhoff. Curtis also welcomes Gig Harbor transfer Ryland Geldermann, who was one of the 3A PSL’s best running backs last season.
With all of those things being true, Curtis’ gameplan this season is no secret: the Vikings want to run the football.
“I think that’s gonna be our No. 1 thing we need to do this year,” Kerkhoff said. “Without those guys, that takes a lot away from our passing game. But with this o-line, with our running back transfer, I think the run game is what’s gonna keep us ahead of other teams.”
Curtis coach Darren McKay said the team has a stable of running backs it’ll rotate this season. Establishing the run is priority No. 1, hopefully taking the pressure off sophomore quarterback Sam Patterson, who is penciled in as the starter this year after splitting reps with sophomore Cooper Hordyk last year.
“Sam was like 60 percent completion percentage (last season),” McKay said. “I’d like him to be up closer to 70. The play action game usually helps you with that. If we can run the football like we intend to, that’s gonna open up the play action. That’ll help not only Sam, but we’ve got young receivers that they’re gonna get used to playing on Friday nights, too.”
Most of the buzz during the offseason has been around the usual suspects in the 4A SPSL: Sumner and Graham-Kapowsin. There’s noise around Puyallup’s new regime, too. It leaves Curtis flying under the radar.
“The past few years, we’ve gone to the state playoffs,” Kerkhoff said. “I want to go all the way now. I think it’s time, senior year. Let’s do it.”
KEY PLAYERS
OL Kingston Kerkhoff, sr.
DL Robby Lavata’i, sr.
LB Cole Yanos, jr.
RB Ryland Geldermann, sr.
OL Jereme Scott, sr.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 5: vs. Mount Si
Sept. 11: vs. Peninsula
Sept. 19: at Lakes
Sept. 26: vs. Rogers
Oct. 3: at South Kitsap
Oct. 9: vs. Emerald Ridge
Oct. 17: at Sumner
Oct. 24: vs. Puyallup
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM.
