High school football season preview: Capital Cougars
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 Capital Cougars 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.
CAPITAL COUGARS
Head coach: Terry Rose, eighth year
2024 results: 5-5, Class 3A district playoffs
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Alex Everson, Spread
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Terry Rose, 4-2-5
OUTLOOK
With five wins and a Class 3A playoff appearance last fall, the culture is established and the standard is set in the state’s capital.
It’s a younger team at Capital High, with a new quarterback, running back, and defensive line — but the Cougars have their eyes set on another trip to the postseason with junior QB Nolan Potts directing the show.
“We’ve all been waiting for this,” Potts told The News Tribune on Friday, standing under 90-degree heat on Day 3 of official practices. “We left a lot out on the field last year. I feel like that (brings) some energy into this year.
“I’m just excited to get out there and play.”
Potts is the starting point guard of the basketball team, a dual-threat signal-caller with accuracy in Friday’s practice. And despite the graduation of workhorse back Blake Ostrander, Capital’s new QB1 returns new top receiving target Chayton Hatch along with Carter Armstrong and Carter Pennington.
Senior linebacker Mack Wysocki is Capital’s lone returning captain, named the “quarterback of the defense” by head coach Terry Rose.
“I try to be the brain of the defense, calling the plays and making sure all of the guys are set,” Wysocki said. “Just making sure everybody can fly around.”
Capital opens their season with Olympia in the annual Spaghetti Bowl rivalry at Ingersoll Stadium on Sept. 5.
“We want to win,” Wysocki said. “That’s the culture that we’ve set.”
KEY PLAYERS
QB Nolan Potts, jr.
LB Mack Wysocki, sr.
WR Chayton Hatch, sr.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 5: vs. Olympia
Sept. 12: at W.F. West
Sept. 19: vs. Shelton
Sept. 26: vs. Peninsula
Oct. 3: at Timberline
Oct. 9: vs. River Ridge
Oct. 17: vs. North Thurston
Oct. 24: at Lakes
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
