Making the case for Sumner: Why the Spartans can win 4A state title
The semifinal round of the 2025 WIAA high school football state tournaments in Washington features 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 next: the Sumner Spartans. Here’s a look at Sumner’s season, key players and signature wins. Plus, thoughts from multiple coaches who coached against the Spartans this year. Coaches are quoted anonymously to allow them to speak candidly.
RECORD: 9-3
SIGNATURE WINS: 28-0 over Kennedy Catholic, 49-14 over Richland, 34-17 over Glacier Peak.
STAT LEADERS: RB Lance McGee (1,785 yards, 31 TDs on 167 carries); RB Israel Nabors (676 yards, 9 TDs on 62 carries); WR Braylon Pope (737 yards, 11 TDs on 41 receptions); QB Nate Donovan (104-of-177 passing, 1,563 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INT).
MAKING THE CASE FOR THE SPARTANS
As badly as the regular season meeting went against rival Puyallup, let’s not forget Sumner is still the defending 4A state champion and has a lot of players back from last year’s team. The Spartans also have perhaps the state’s best running back in Lance McGee, a three-star recruit who is a nightmare to tackle. Sumner has gotten on track since the 58-22 loss to Puyallup, particularly on defense. When the Spartans are playing loose and flying to the football, Keith Ross still has one of the state’s best defenses. The best defense against Puyallup might be keeping the Vikings’ offense off the field with long, sustained drives and a heavy dose of McGee. Of course, that’s easier said than done.
Opposing Coach A: “No. 9, Lance McGee. Their defense, their defense is really tough to run on. They have a great front four, with Shaun Griffith. They have good linebacker play. Their front six is probably the best in the state of Washington in 4A. Second to O’Dea maybe in the stage, probably No. 1 in 4A. … It was hard for West Linn to run the ball, hard for Lake Stevens to run the ball. That’s what makes Keith Ross Keith Ross, the way they fly around. They also have experience winning a state title.”
Opposing Coach B: “It’s just their proven history to play defense and run the football. With Lance McGee, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone running the football better than him, between his speed and power, and he has great balance. Then you always have that defense. Keith is gonna coach them up, they fly around and hit you.”
WHY THE SPARTANS COULD FALL SHORT
The obvious obstacle in the way on Saturday: valley rival Puyallup, which handled Sumner in the regular season meeting. If Round 2 unfolds early on in similar fashion, it could be a long day for Ross’ squad. Can the Spartans consistently push the ball downfield in the passing game if the run game stalls? Receiver Braylon Pope has big-play ability, but it feels like the Spartans are still missing graduated tight end Carter Cocke, who was QB Nate Donovan’s safety valve and an important third down target.
Opposing Coach A: “Their pass defense. It’s very hard to cover when you’re a single-high team where you’re putting a lot of pressure and stress on your free safety. Some passing teams may exploit that down the road. And then when they have to throw the ball, when the run game isn’t going.”
Opposing Coach B: “If they’re not running the ball well and can’t find a way to get the ball to (receiver) Braylon (Pope), they need another option in the passing game. They need someone who can take the attention away from Braylon. They need to be able to be two-dimensional.”
State semifinal game: No. 5 Sumner vs. No. 1 Puyallup, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 at Sparks Stadium
