Making the case for Puyallup: Why the Vikings can win 4A state title
The semifinal round of the 2025 WIAA high school football state tournaments in Washington feature five teams from the South Sound: No. 1 Puyallup (4A), No. 5 Sumner (4A), No. 6 Graham-Kapowsin (4A), No. 2 Mount Tahoma (3A) and No. 2 Tumwater (2A). This week, I’m making the case for each of these programs — how and why they can win it all, and what could cause them to fall short of lifting the trophy at Husky Stadium.
Up first: the top-seeded, undefeated Puyallup Vikings. Here’s a look at Puyallup’s season, key players and signature wins. Plus, thoughts from multiple coaches who coached against the Vikings this year. Coaches are quoted anonymously to allow them to speak candidly.
RECORD: 12-0
SIGNATURE WINS: 25-19 over Tumwater; 58-22 over Sumner; 43-14 over Graham-Kapowsin.
STAT LEADERS: QB Noah Smith (98-of-142, 1,967 yards, 29 TDs, 4 INT); RB Briytan Bailey (1,605 yards, 23 TDs on 187 carries); WR Lawson Looker (870 yards, 12 TDs on 37 receptions); WR Jayden Woodland (849 yards, 13 TDs on 47 receptions); WR J’Isaiah Mitchell (748 yards, 7 TDs on 50 receptions); LB Michael Pulalasi (87 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks).
MAKING THE CASE FOR THE VIKINGS
It’s pretty easy to make the case for Puyallup, which has obliterated everyone on its schedule this season, including blowout wins over Sumner and Graham-Kapowsin, which are also in the semifinal round. There’s seemingly no weakness on this roster: QB Noah Smith has been an instant success at his new school; Gecova Doyal and the offensive line might be the state’s best; running backs Briytan Bailey and Malcolm Akuffo can take games over; and the receiving corps is elite with Lawson Looker, Jayden Woodland and J’Isaiah Mitchell. Defensively, linebacker Michael Pulalasi has a nose for the football and finishes tackles with ease.
Opposing Coach A: “All the offensive skill talent and transfer athletes get the headlines, but that offensive line is the key. They have college size and athleticism up front. Not many high schools can match those bodies. Defensively, the Lakes transfer linebacker Mike Pulalasi is an absolute stud. He wrecked us when we played them. He was as good a linebacker as I’ve seen in years.”
Opposing Coach B: “They’ve proven on tape, over 12 weeks, that they’re the most complete football team in the state on the line of scrimmage to the back half in the secondary. Their QB is really smart, he knows where to go with the football and when to get it there. They have elite kids with the football in their hands. (Running back) Briytan Bailey, he can take anything to the house.”
Opposing Coach C: “They’ve played the best football of anybody in the state. They have the most talented roster. They’re hungry. With Graham-Kapowsin, Yelm, Sumner winning state titles, Puyallup thinks it’s their turn. … Great running back, quarterback, but their O-line makes them elite. There’s a lot of reasons.”
WHY THE VIKINGS COULD FALL SHORT
This case is harder to make, given how soundly Puyallup has defeated every opponent standing in its way this season. Even putting the scores aside, it’s hard to find a weakness or a position group that isn’t pulling its weight. DJ Mims is getting lights-out play from all over the field on both sides of the ball. Could an angry, motivated and improved Sumner team desperate for revenge be a recipe for an upset? Maybe. Could a dizzying offensive shootout with Lake Stevens leave Puyallup with a loss in the state championship game at Husky Stadium? Maybe, but until we see otherwise, it’s tough to pick anybody to beat this team.
Opposing Coach A: “If they get beat, it will be due to undisciplined play. They haven’t trailed much this season, but if a team jumps on them early, will they keep their cool and avoid compounding mistakes or costly penalties?”
Opposing Coach B: “It’s hard to say, they haven’t shown too many weaknesses. If they get into a tight game, maybe the panic button gets pressed and they start looking at each other like, ‘We’ve never been here.’ … They haven’t really had to dig themselves out of a hole.”
Opposing Coach C: “They’re 16, 17, 18-year-old kids. You just never know with high school football. Someone can make some mistakes, get stressed about trying to win it all. That’s why we play the game. I think if somebody plays them correctly and can withstand the storm, they might have a chance.”
State semifinal game: Sumner (9-3) vs. Puyallup (12-0), 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 at Sparks Stadium
