Making the case for Graham-Kapowsin: Why the Eagles 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 Graham-Kapowsin Eagles. Here’s a look at Graham-Kapowsin’s season, key players and signature wins. Plus, thoughts from multiple coaches who coached against the Eagles this year. Coaches are quoted anonymously to allow them to speak candidly.
RECORD: 11-1
SIGNATURE WINS: 42-35 over Gonzaga Prep, 40-38 over O’Dea, 34-7 over Kennedy Catholic.
STAT LEADERS: RB Blake Pearson (999 yards, 13 TDs on 168 carries); QB AJ Tuivaiave (168-of-234 passing, 2,685 yards, 28 TDs, INT); WR Kase Betz (1,119 yards, 11 TDs on 66 receptions); WR Jayce Halasz (852 yards, 6 TDs on 58 receptions).
MAKING THE CASE FOR THE EAGLES
Offense, offense, offense. As evidenced in last week’s 42-35 win over Gonzaga Prep, this offense can put up points in a hurry. QB AJ Tuivaiave is one of the state’s top quarterbacks and has two game-breaking receivers to throw the ball to in Kase Betz and long-striding Jayce Halasz. The fire to the passing game’s ice is bruising running back Blake Pearson, who seems to find another gear and keep his legs moving with a couple defenders on his back. G-K coach Jeff Logan and his staff do a good job getting their athletes into space and letting them make plays.
Opposing Coach A: “They’re playing better football each week. They had that big O’Dea win, then played a close game against Emerald Ridge without (quarterback Brayden) Paulino, a close game with Bethel. We’re wondering, ‘Are they really that good?’ from looking at some of the score spreads. In the playoffs, all that stuff goes out the window. They’re coached up, playmakers on the outside everywhere, great QB play, solid O-line play. They’re playing great football at the right time.”
Opposing Coach B: “Elite passing game. As talented a QB as there is in the state with a big arm, players that can run and go get it. They’re a blue blood program, they’ve been there and done it before. They’re scary in the passing game.”
WHY THE EAGLES COULD FALL SHORT
Like one coach noted above, there’s been some inconsistency this season with the Eagles, who have played in a few tight games against teams they probably should have beaten comfortably. If the offense sputters, can the defense hold its own and make stops consistently? Can the defense make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket? Graham-Kapowsin is going to score some points against Lake Stevens, but they’ll probably need to also force a couple of timely turnovers to come away with the road win.
Opposing Coach A: “I think their defense has some weak points and some spots that can be exploited. Their ability to score in big chunks, if you limit those plays and make them work slowly down the field, I think it’s a little harder for them. They don’t have a ton of trench depth. They don’t have the (twins Hunter and Curtis Hill from the 2021 state championship team), (Penn State OL) Vega Ioane, all those linemen. They’re just not as solid as they have been in the past up front.”
Opposing Coach B: “Maybe across the board — they’re elite in the passing game — I don’t know. You’ve gotta be able to run the ball, play defense. Their passing game just seems way ahead of those two things.”
State semifinal game: No. 6 Graham-Kapowsin vs. No. 2 Lake Stevens, 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Lake Stevens High School
