High school football season preview: 3A Puget Sound League
High school football is back in the South Sound. Practices are underway as programs across the state prepare for the beginning of the 2025 season.
The News Tribune will be visiting schools in the area and previewing local leagues as the first week of games approaches.
Follow along with us throughout the two-week preseason for previews on the 4A NPSL, 4A SPSL, 3A NPSL, 3A PSL, 2A SPSL, 2A EvCo and more.
3A PUGET SOUND LEAGUE
WHO’S THE FAVORITE?
In the Narrows division, it’s a coin flip between Lincoln and Mount Tahoma. Lincoln came out on top last year, beating the T-Birds 38-32 in an overtime thriller on the road. The Abes return four-star junior QB Sione Kaho, who looks poised and confident in early-season practices. He returns solid pieces around him, including WR Kasey Williams, WR and rising recruit Elijah Carney and RB Jadeon Scranton. Mount Tahoma returns dual-threat senior QB Mikkah Cordero and he’ll have one of the area’s most electric athletes to toss the ball to in WR/CB Elijah Durr, a UW commit. Expect a big season from RB/S Felix Diaz, too.
In the Nisqually, we think Lakes is the best of the bunch. This was a high-level defense last year but lost TNT All-Area LB Michael Pulalasi (transferred to Puyallup). The Lancers should be able to move on without him, though, with the return of key pieces LB Ta’u Mareko (Idaho commit) and Tupu Saeumealua — two players who missed much of last season with injuries. WR Tristan Baker (Idaho commit) will be a playmaker on offense and freshman QB Jadis Lefono already looked dynamic making plays with his arm and legs during August practice.
ANY OTHER CONTENDERS?
We don’t expect anyone to give Lincoln or Mount Tahoma a run for their money in the Narrows, but Bellarmine Prep could be a sneaky contender and playoff team this year with the return of 6-foot-5 senior QB Birk Johnston. Bellarmine coach Brian Jensen likes this team’s cohesiveness and team-wide athleticism, compared to years past. Keep an eye on sophomore RB/LB Josiah Moekle, too.
In the Nisqually, Peninsula, Capital and Timberline could factor into the title race. First-year Peninsula head coach Clay Mauro replaces longtime coach Ross Filkins and should have a soft landing; the Seahawks return eight starters on offense and seven on defense, including three-time all-league OL selection Royal Charles, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound difference maker on both sides of the ball. Capital graduated workhorse back Blake Ostrander but feels confident coming off a playoff appearance. Senior dual-threat QB Nolan Potts takes over at QB. Timberline had a down year in 2025 with a young roster but should be improved this season.
SAVE THE DATE
Oct. 3: Mount Tahoma at Lincoln
Oct. 3: Capital at Timberline
Oct. 10: Peninsula at Lakes
Oct. 17: Lincoln at Bellarmine Prep
Oct. 25: Gig Harbor at Bellarmine Prep
TOP 25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
DL Andrew Asaeli, Mount Tahoma, sr.
WR Tristan Baker, Lakes, sr.
WR Elijah Carney, Lincoln, jr.
OL Royal Charles, Peninsula, sr.
OL Cody Coovert, Bellarmine Prep, soph.
QB Mikkah Cordero, Mount Tahoma, sr.
DB Micco Coyler, Gig Harbor, jr.
RB Felix Diaz, Mount Tahoma, sr.
TE CJ Duenas, Timberline, soph.
CB Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma, sr.
OL Peyton Howard, Gig Harbor, sr.
QB Birk Johnston, Bellarmine Prep, sr.
LB Shan Jones, Mount Tahoma, sr.
QB Sione Kaho, Lincoln, jr.
DL Anthony Mancao, Lincoln, sr.
LB Ta’u Mareko, Lakes, sr.
RB Jacob Martin, Peninsula, sr.
LB Josiah Moekle, Bellarmine Prep, soph.
WR Ean Owens, Lakes, sr.
TE Jamirie Pringle, Silas, sr.
DE Tupu Saeumealua, Lakes, sr.
DL Amacyn Savielo, Timberline, jr.
RB Jadeon Scranton, Lincoln sr.
OL Uzyah Thomas, Lincoln soph.
WR Kasey Williams, Lincoln, sr.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
Narrows: Lincoln, Mount Tahoma, Bellarmine Prep, Gig Harbor, Central Kitsap, Silas
Nisqually: Lakes, Peninsula, Capital, Timberline, River Ridge, North Thurston
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
