Welcome back to high school football season. For two weeks before games begin, The News Tribune and The Olympian will visit local programs across the South Sound, providing photos, videos and insight on what to expect during the 2022 season.

Follow high school sports reporters Jon Manley (@manley_tnt), Lauren Smith (@smithlm12) and Tyler Wicke (@WickeTyler), and contributing writers Dave Weber (@dweber34) and Doug Drowley (@STPWriteNow) for updates on Twitter.

Staff photographers Pete Caster (@pete_caster), Tony Overman (@tonyoverman), Cheyenne Boone (@cboonephoto) and photo intern Clare Grant (@ClareGPhotos) will also be out around the South Sound in the days ahead.

LINCOLN ABES

Lincoln won the 3A Pierce County League last fall, getting back on top after Spanaway Lake won the league during the COVID-shortened 2021 spring season. Lincoln got its revenge last fall, beating Spanaway Lake, 41-14 in September. The Abes wrapped up the league title with a 36-34 win over Lakes in late October.

Lincoln returns perhaps the state’s best quarterback in Missouri commit Gabarri Johnson, a senior. Seniors Trey Meredith and TJ Tusi lead a nasty, experienced offensive line that should have no problems opening holes for junior running back Navarre Dixon, who was one of the state’s top wrestlers in the 182-pound weight class last winter. Lincoln will need to replace the production of defensive end and Miami Hurricanes commit Jayden Wayne, who transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season.

“I really felt we had a good offseason program, we were able to do our morning workouts, which we weren’t able to do last year because of COVID,” said senior safety Stephon Pugh, who Lincoln coach Masaki Matsumoto identified as a key team leader. “I feel like we’re going to be able to put a lot better of a connection as teammates out there.”

Lincoln will have to hold off Spanaway Lake and Lakes to repeat as league champs.

“We just got guys who love to work,” Pugh said. “Everyone on this team, offensive line, defensive line, DB’s, everybody. We’ve got guys who just love to work. They come every day, work hard, we love each other and we just do our thing on the field.”

LAKES LANCERS

Lakes (6-4 overall, 4-2 3A PCL in 2021) finished third in the 3A PCL last fall, behind Lincoln and Spanaway Lake. Lakes, which made the state tournament as the No. 16 seed, gave the tournament’s top seed and eventual state champion Bellevue a real scare in the first round, before losing 42-21.

Lakes will have to replace starting quarterback Justin Brennan (Central Washington), but 6-foot-3 freshman Legend Galeai is drawing rave reviews, already being pegged as potentially the next big thing to come out of Lakes. The Lancers return some skill position studs, too. Versatile running back/wide receiver Leo Pulalasi, a BYU commit, and receiver David Wells, an Oregon State commit, give the Lancers dangerous speed and playmaking ability.

“Definitely our passing game,” said Wells, when asked about what’s improved this offseason. “We’re getting our connections down a little better. We’ve got a good incoming freshman at quarterback and I think our timing has just gotten a lot better during the offseason.”

Lakes expects to explosive on both sides of the ball.

“On defense, our secondary,” Wells said. “We’ve got a lot of dawgs out there, a lot of ball hawks that come down and hit. And then on offense, our run game is really strong and we’ve got a good screen game and passing game.”

OLYMPIA BEARS

Last year, coach Nick Mullen’s first full season at the helm, didn’t provide the results Olympia wanted. Fielding only varsity and freshmen teams as players adjusted to a new culture, the Bears finished 3-7.

But, Mullen and Portland State-bound quarterback Gabe Downing point out the record was deceptive — three losses came by less than a touchdown. With Downing, his cousin Mason Juergens, who led the state with 72 catches for 1,172 yards and 16 touchdowns, another stellar wideout in Parker Fouts and running back Kenyatta McNeese Jr., Olympia has the tools to compete in the tough 4A South Puget Sound League.

“We were in almost every game last season, our record does us dirty a little bit, we were a much better team than we showed,” Downing said.

With his program’s roster growing to include full varsity, JV and C-teams this season, Mullen thinks the Bears have the toughness to compete week after week in the 4A SPSL.

“This is a different vibe,” Mullen said. “We’ve worked on consistency, bringing that intensity to every weight session, every quarter of every game.”

AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS

The Ravens completed an undefeated regular season last fall, going 7-0 and winning the 3A North Puget Sound League title before falling flat in a 41-21, first-round playoff loss to visiting Kelso. That loss motivated Auburn Riverside’s coaching staff, led by Greg Herd who is entering his third season as the head coach.

“Culture is one of those things that is forever,” Herd said. “But, we are creatures of habit. It takes a lot longer to build a habit than to break a habit.”

At Auburn Riverside, culture is distilled into the “3 Daily Disciplines” to create an “Edge” — Effort, Being Elite and PTF (Protect the Flock), or being accountable to yourself and your teammates.

“We finally had a full off-season,” Herd said. “We’re starting to turn the corner, culture-wise. There is a better understanding of the standards, goals and expectations.”

They have leaders that have reached their senior seasons in 2022 to push them forward. Big, talented lineman Nate Pritchard will head to WSU after this season, leading receiver Jace Villers can fly on the outside and junior Thyrou Umi-tuato’o takes over the lead back role from graduated brother Thaddeus.

The growing program has plenty of potential up-and-comers, as well with a talented sophomore class and 42 incoming ninth graders to carry on.

GIG HARBOR TIDES

Gig Harbor could surprise 3A South Sound Conference opponents with a bolstered offensive line, sporting five seniors and standout offensive and defensive lineman Nic Fortney.

If the Tides (6-4, 4-3 3A SSC in 2021) want to build on last season’s fourth-place league finish and contend for a title, Fortney says they’ll need to fire on all cylinders, and take “no plays off.”

“As a team, we’ve bonded really well,” he said. “A lot more committed, and really bought-in. Definitely improved in the weight room, too.”

Former defensive coordinator Darrin Reeves was tapped for head coaching duties in February, and the Tides return senior quarterback Will Landram, deemed “cool, calm, and collected” by his coach.

At Wednesday’s practice at Gig Harbor High School — the first of the season — Reeves counted roughly 100 in attendance. The Tides have 140 students registered, 55 of them freshman, and 80 took part in Reeves’ summer conditioning program in recent weeks.

“I couldn’t think of a better place to get your first job,” Reeves said. “I’ve been here the last four years, so it’s great to stick with these kids.”

Senior cornerback Christian Parrish logged 49 tackles and snagged six interceptions last season, returning as an important staple in Gig Harbor’s secondary. Landram gets a new receiving target in Gavin Nash, who missed nearly all of last season after suffering an ankle injury in week two.

They’ll look to run the ball, control the clock, and limit the turnovers come Sept. 2, when Gig Harbor hosts Spanaway Lake for the season opener at Roy Anderson Field.

“Everything we do on offense is a strength,” Fortney said. “We don’t really have any weaknesses.”

PENINSULA SEAHAWKS

Peninsula (7-2, 5-0 3A SSC in 2021) secured last season’s league title, but shared the trophy with also-undefeated Yelm. The teams were scheduled to play until coronavirus outbreaks rendered the game unplayable.

That changes this season. The Seahawks and Tornados meet on Oct. 21 at Roy Anderson Field. But, Seahawks coach Ross Filkins, now in his 28th season with the program, sees the schedule differently.

“We’re not thinking about Fish Bowl in Week 3, or Yelm in week whatever,” he said at Peninsula’s first practice Wednesday. “We’ve got to get better today.”

Some 115 players were “ready to rock and roll” at the team’s opening practice, including all-league lineman and three-year starter Grady Johnson. Filkins plans to use four varsity running backs, and Gonzaga baseball commit Payton Knowles returns as Peninsula’s signal-caller.

Johnson called his quarterback a “gunslinger” — one who takes risks that typically pay off.

“(Payton’s) a baseball player, so he’s got a really good arm,” he said. “He’s going to bring a change in our quarterback role from last year.”

Peninsula opens their season on Sept. 1 against Enumclaw, a quarterfinalist in last year’s 2A state tournament. The Seahawks qualified for the 3A state bracket in 2021, losing to No. 9 Rainier Beach, 36-21, in the first round.

“This is, I think, maybe the thing everybody learned from the last two years, is to take nothing for granted,” Filkins said. “Every day out here is special, and we’ve got to make the most of it.”

FEDERAL WAY EAGLES

Federal Way has made three consecutive trips to the district playoffs — in 2018, 2019 and last fall — but will this be the season the program returns to the state bracket for the first time since 2014?

The Eagles return several key players from a team that finished 4-5 a season ago, including their talented secondary.

Oregon State commit Andre Piper-Jordan Jr. was the 4A/3A North Puget Sound League Red Division defensive back of the year and returner of the year last season, and the senior was also a first-team selection at both cornerback and safety.

Two more Division I recruits in senior safeties Roman Hutchinson, a first-team safety last season, and Jaylon Jenkins are back.

Four-star junior cornerback Rahshawn Clark — who holds 10 offers from Power Five schools — also returns.

“We’ve got a lot of playmakers,” Jenkins said Wednesday afternoon as the Eagles opened fall practice.

With seven returning starters on each side of the ball, Federal Way now enters the 2022 season as one of the programs looking to contend for a 4A NPSL title.

“We’ve got the guys to make it happen, but we’ve just got to bring it all together,” Jenkins said.

KENNEDY CATHOLIC LANCERS

The Lancers return most of the group — on offense and defense — that led them on an undefeated run through their division last fall and 6-3 overall finish.

“We really want to take a step forward this year and be able to push each other,” senior wide receiver Mason Hayes said.

Kennedy Catholic enters this season as three-time defending league champions, and is looking to add another 4A NPSL crown this fall.

Senior lineman Micah Banuelos, a USC commit, noted the Lancers have been putting in the work throughout the summer to be competitive again this fall.

“No days off,” he said. “We’ve just been having 6 a.m. workouts, and I just see the true grind here.”

Banuelos, who was the 4A NPSL Red Division offensive lineman of the year in 2021 and a first-team selection on both sides of the ball, is one of two Power Five commits on the Lancers’ roster, along with Arizona State commit Xe’ree Alexander, who was a first-team linebacker for Kennedy Catholic last fall.

Beyond making another solid run in regular season play, the Lancers are also eyeing a return to the state playoffs for the first time since 2019, when record-breaking quarterback Sam Huard and the program’s Air Raid offense advanced to the 4A quarterfinals.

“We’ve put a lot of work in,” senior wide receiver Maclane Watkins said. “Our leadership has gotten a lot better. I think we have a really good group going in. We have a good chemistry, and I think that will take us far.”

YELM TORNADOS

When coach Jason Ronquillo saw a preseason ranking of the state’s 3A schools that picked his Yelm team second statewide behind perennial power Bellevue, he reacted with a concise Tweet: “Pressure is a privilege.”

With the two-time defending 3A SSC champions returning talented players on both sides of the ball, the Tornados will compete with confidence.

“We’re bigger, faster, stronger. We’ve been perfecting our craft. We’re on another level,” said Ronquillo’s son Kyler, a multiple 3A SSC MVP winner committed to Portland State.

Yelm will have a new quarterback in junior Damian Aalona, but he’ll have veteran receivers to throw to in Kyler Ronquillo and Aden Schaler. Heavily recruited junior three-sport star Brayden Platt is tough to bring down at running back. Yelm’s typically tough offensive line is anchored by senior Kolby Henry and junior Landen Barger.

As gifted as the Tornados are on offense, their defense — led by a stellar linebacking corps of Platt, last year’s 3A SSC co-MVP Ray Wright, William Carreto and Skyview transfer Isaiah Patterson, who holds two Pac-12 offers — may be their greatest strength.

FIFE TROJANS

There’s a sense within Fife’s football program that the Trojans are stronger — and back to what coach Kent Nevin dubbed a mentally and physically tough team, historically.

Those who took part in weight training drills earlier in the summer are now accomplishing personal-high reps. Fife is faster, too, enough for “savvy” senior quarterback Dylan Goldstrom to note his defense’s ability to “fly to the ball” as the unit’s strength.

Fife advanced to last year’s 2A state bracket, but lost in the first round to eventual-champion Lynden, 34-0, on Nov. 13. The Trojans (4-6, 3-3 2A SPSL) hope to build on a fourth-place league finish last year, and for the first time since 2019, Nevin and Fife will again incorporate designed quarterback runs for an offense sporting four returning lineman and a pair of returning tailbacks.

“Fife has been known for (toughness),” Nevin said at Thursday’s practice. “I feel much better where we’re at in that regard.”

ENUMCLAW HORNETS

The philosophy has been in place for years. Even as the Hornets won nine games a year ago before a difficult, 55-21, 2A state quarterfinals loss to Tumwater, Enumclaw’s identity was entrenched.

As they prepare for 2022, the Hornets are convinced they have the personnel to execute that philosophy and thus take the next step forward from a 9-3 record last season that did not include a league title.

“It’s ball-control,” Enumclaw coach Mark Gunderson said. “Throw when you want to, not when you have to. We’re a physical brand of football that wants to punch you in the face.”

Accomplishing that task requires the big guys up front, and Enumclaw has those people in place led by returning 2A SPSL lineman of the year Zeke Luchi. The run-first philosophy needs a ball carrier, and the Hornets return an all-league back in Emmit Otero.

“It fits around here,” said Gunderson, who enters his 11th season at the Enumclaw helm. “We’ve got hard-working people out here, you know. Blue collar. That’s what they like to come see.”

EATONVILLE CRUISERS

Eatonville cruised to 13 consecutive — and convincing — wins last fall before dropping their only contest of the season.

The Cruisers made an undefeated run through the 1A Evergreen Conference to claim a league title. They opened the state playoffs with a 58-0 win over East Jefferson. They topped Riverside, 35-6, in the quarterfinals. They routed Lynden Christian, 38-6, in the semifinals to advance to the 1A title game for the first time since 1992.

But, then Eatonville ran into perennial powerhouse Royal, which ran away with a 41-0 win to secure a second consecutive state crown last December.

The Knights have now won five of the past six 1A titles and 10 total championships in the program’s history.

The Eagles are one of the program’s in the state looking to eventually end that run this fall.

Eatonville graduated 1A Evergreen offensive MVP Kevin Wulff, defensive MVP Blain Hanly and six more first-team selections, but brings back first-team linemen Kyle Cox and Tristan Lewis, and first-team wide receiver Job Kralik.

With several starters returning, Eatonville could contend not only for a repeat league title, but again try to chase down the program’s fourth state championship after topping 1A in 1985, 1990 and 1992.

“That’s the ultimate goal, but obviously we have some tough games throughout the season, so I’m kind of taking it one game at a time,” Cox said.

GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN EAGLES

The reigning 4A state champions are back on the football field.

Nearly eight months after Graham-Kapowsin lifted the trophy at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma, the question is this — can the program make a run at a repeat title this fall?

“Everybody just has to buy-in, have the same mentality that they want to win and go win another ring,” said senior Jalen Davenport, a two-way standout for the Eagles at running back and linebacker. “Same mentality as last year, really. Come in and just show everybody what we’re really capable of.”

Last season, the Eagles made a dominant run through their 14-game schedule, securing their second consecutive 4A SPSL title and averaging 46.2 points per game while allowing 5.3 and shutting out seven opponents on their way to a perfect finish atop 4A.

They left no doubt in the state playoffs, cruising by Kentwood (49-7) in the first round, Bothell (41-25) in the quarterfinals and Kamiakin (42-0) in the semifinals.

Then they routed Lake Stevens, 44-7, in the state title game to secure the program’s first championship — and the South Sound’s first 4A title since 2002.

Graham-Kapowsin wasn’t done there, though. The Eagles later capped their season by winning a 40-36 thriller over Georgia’s Collins Hill in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series in Las Vegas.

The Eagles graduated several playmakers that led them on that historic run, including quarterback Joshua Wood (Fresno State), who was last season’s 4A SPSL offensive player of the year, the league’s co-MVP in Julian Mason (Idaho State), co-offensive lineman of the year Vega Ioane (Penn State), defensive lineman of the year Curtis Hill (Idaho State) and six more first-team selections.

But, first-year coach Jeff Logan — the program’s former offensive coordinator, who replaces longtime coach Eric Kurle — does bring back three starters on offense and four on defense, including another 4A SPSL co-MVP in Davenport, who is working his way back from a knee injury.

Graham-Kapowsin senior safety Ethan Pletcher believes this Eagles team is ready to step up in place of the group that graduated last spring and contend for another championship.

“We know what we have to do,” he said. “We’ve been in the weight room the entire offseason. We know what it takes because they set the path for us to pave.”

BELLARMINE LIONS

Bellarmine made it into the postseason last fall, winning several dramatic games over 4A SPSL opponents, including a 30-27 win over Olympia in week one and a 23-20 win over Emerald Ridge in late September, when Max Walker kicked the game-winning field goal against the Jaguars at the end of regulation. The Lions were solidly in the second tier of the league’s pecking order, behind Graham-Kapowsin, Sumner and Puyallup.

Participation numbers are good, according to Lions’ coach Brian Jensen. Bellarmine will have some holes to fill, losing running back Tristan Warner and wide receiver Ty Faker — both first-team all-league selections on offense — to graduation.

Despite losing Faker, Jensen feels good about the depth of his receivers group, led by junior Drew Johnson and seniors Alex Quintinilla and Lucas Kokich. Senior quarterback Tyler Stowers has some experience from last year and running backs Joey Bambrick and Dagim Heiser have both played well in practice.

“I just think together we’re a lot better,” Heiser said. “We took some losses of key players from last year, this year we’ve had a lot of guys step up. … On offense, Tyler Stowers is really good. He can get the ball wherever he wants, he can make really good reads. We have a lot of good wide receivers and our o-line is getting a lot better. On defense, everyone is going really hard and we’re going to swarm the ball every time.”

SILAS RAMS

A new chapter begins this fall for the Rams, who haven’t enjoyed a winning season since 2015. Silas, formerly Wilson, went 6-5 that season and got to 5-5 in 2018, the school’s last non-losing year.

Looking to change that course is first-year coach Cameron Rogers, who was hired just before the summer. Rogers, a graduate of the school and a former assistant under Don Clegg, already was in the building as a teacher and serves as the Rams track coach in the spring.

“This is home to me,” Rogers said. “We are looking to instill more of a weight culture. We’re going to do the simple things the best we can. Controlling the clock is important no matter what level you’re at, so ideally I’d love to run the football.”

This fall, Rogers has the personnel that may allow that to happen, starting with second-team all-PCL running back Connor Meade, who returns for his senior year. Meade leads a large group of returning skill players in the backfield, at receiver and at quarterback.

If the summer emphasis on the weight room pays dividends, those skill guys may get the time needed to execute for the Rams.

SPANAWAY LAKE

The Sentinels had a weird 2021 season plagued by covid cancellations and were only able to play seven games, but Spanaway Lake still beat Lakes in October and was competitive in a 26-21 playoff loss to Kennewick. Spanaway Lake returns safety Jasiah Wagoner, who recently committed to Oklahoma as a corner prospect. He’s joined in the secondary by Eastern Washington commit Zion Jones and sophomore D’Aryhian Clemons, who already holds a Louisville offer. This should be one of the state’s top defensive backs units.

The Sentinels have some experience coming back on the line, as well, and return senior quarterback Dempsy James, who passed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and rushed for 200 yards and seven touchdowns.

“We have a good chance to go all the way, so we should start thinking like that from the beginning of the season,” Wagoner said. “We have a really good defense this year, basically have the same players coming back. We’ve got some guys like D’Aryhian stepping up and playing corner and I’m moving back to safety, so that should be good. Offense, we’ve always been good at offense. Hopefully just more of the same.”

CASCADE CHRISTIAN COUGARS

Jake Mosby is more than the Cougars’ sure-tackling senior outside linebacker. He’s also an emerging tailback and slot receiver on Cascade Christian’s offense, a unit that plans to return all 11 starters.

“He’s been a do-everything guy for us,” head coach Devin Snyder said of the linebacker at Friday’s practice. “Very coachable. Hard worker, student of the game, but his biggest asset is his (leadership).

“He keeps our whole team dialed in, and he’s really an extension of the coaching staff.”

Mosby was confident in his Cougars team Friday, calling them stronger and more trusting in one another. They’ll surprise opposing offenses in the 1A Nisqually League with speed and size in the secondary, Mosby believes, while Snyder points to consistency as the key for playoff contention.

“We don’t really care about what opponent shows up,” Snyder said. “We talk about a faceless opponent. We’re playing against ourselves, trying to get better each week.”

Cascade Christian (3-7, 3-2) won two of its final three games in 2021, including a 46-3 rout over Vashon Island on Oct. 21. Junior middle linebacker and tailback Byson Vasquez returns as the “heart of the defense,” said Snyder, and quarterback Cade Sando heads the Cougar offense for a third year.

They’ll open their 2022 schedule on Sep. 3 with Cedar Park Christian, considered an “old-time rivalry” having once shared the 1A Nisqually.

“We’ve really seen the strength overall of our team grow,” Mosby said, “as well as growing that confidence, that brotherhood, and that trust within one another.”

SUMNER SPARTANS

A perennial contender in the 4A SPSL and at the state level since joining the 4A ranks in 2016, the Spartans are set to compete again this fall.

Sumner finished 9-2 last season, dropping only two contests to eventual league and state champion Graham-Kapowsin and Eastlake in the state quarterfinals.

The Spartans bring back seven starters on offense and five on defense from that team, as well as the experience and leadership to make another run.

“I think we’re prepared, and I think we’ve got the guys to do it, so we’re confident,” senior Jay Mentink said.

Mentink, a Princeton football and baseball commit, is one of two returning two-time 4A SPSL first-teamers for Sumner. Senior center Kyle Martin was also a first-team pick last fall and during the shortened spring season in 2021.

The Spartans graduated 4A SPSL defensive player of the year Tristan Dunn (now at Washington) as well as five more first-team selections.

But, they remain poised to compete for the top spot in the 4A SPSL this fall, as well as make another run at the state level after advancing in seven of the past nine brackets — including twice at the 2A and 3A levels, and three times at the 4A level since 2016.

PUYALLUP VIKINGS

Puyallup has advanced to the state playoffs each of the past four seasons.

Will the Vikings make it five in a row this fall?

They finished 8-3 last season, losing only to league rivals Sumner and Graham-Kapowsin — the eventual 4A state champion — and then 4A GSHL power Camas in the first round.

And they bring back plenty of experience from that group, returning five starters on offense and seven on defense.

“I think offense, we have guys who just want to make plays,” senior Dane Parker said. “We love to be competitive and just compete every play.

“And then on defense, we just fly around. Every one of our players on defense is a good athlete.”

Puyallup graduated 4A SPSL co-offensive lineman of the year Dave Iuli (now at Oregon), as well as a pair of first-team picks on offense, but returns a first-team selection at defensive back in Parker, first-team linebacker in Wyatt Gordon and first-team special teams selection in Jacob Velasco, as well as several more players who earned 4A SPSL honors last season.

The Vikings will be tested early, playing three of the league’s postseason qualifiers from last season — Emerald Ridge, Graham-Kapowsin and Sumner — in the first four weeks this fall.

TUMWATER T-BIRDS

Tumwater returns just three starters on offense, two on defense and one of them is the same guy, two-way senior lineman Mana Hafoka. But despite losing nine members of The Olympian’s All-Area team to graduation, including every receiving mainstay with wideout Seth Weller and tight ends Ryan Otton and Austin Terry all moving on to college ball, University of Idaho-bound senior running back Carlos Matheney, who rushed for 1,103 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021 as the Thunderbirds finished runners-up at 2A state, isn’t worried.

After all, Washington’s all-time winningest coach, Sid Otton, recorded 361 victories as T-Birds’ coach. His successor, Bill Beattie, has a higher winning percentage than Otton. The team’s Twitter account isn’t “Tumwater Football” but “Tumwater ‘Winning’ Football.”

“We’ve all come together as a group and we’re closer than we’ve ever been,” said Matheney, who joins Hafoka and quarterback Alex Overbay as a returning offensive starter. Defensive back Luke Reid also returns. “We need to keep the tradition of ‘Tumwater Winning Football. When I first came here they taught me how to be a good player on and off the field.”

EMERALD RIDGE JAGUARS

The Jaguars showed glimpses of what could be last year, fielding a young roster with some explosive playmakers. Now more experienced, this season feels like the time Emerald Ridge should take the next step, behind the arm of junior quarterback Jake Schakel (the son of Emerald Ridge coach Adam Schakel).

Schakel is quickly becoming one of the area’s top quarterbacks and will return speedy receiver Tony Harste, who was plenty productive last fall. Defensive end Jacob Lane, who recently committed to UW, will play tight end this season, also. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder has should be a valuable addition to the offense, with his frame and ball skills. He has 4.7 second 40-yard dash speed to boot.

“I think everybody has improved just through development and the weight room and just getting stronger,” Lane said. “We had a lot of young guys on our team last year. I think everybody has just naturally developed well.”

Expect this to be one of the league’s top offenses.

“I think sticking to our script, everything our coaches give us, game-planning each week and making sure we execute well,” Lane said. “If we execute well, I believe we can beat anybody in the state.”

CURTIS VIKINGS

Curtis secured the sixth spot in the postseason out of the 4A SPSL last season, and will look to jump up in the standings this fall.

The program brings back 16 total starters from the group that finished 4-5 in league play before eventually losing to Eastlake in the district round, and Vikings senior running back Lynden Tanoa says this Curtis program has improved both offensively and defensively since last season.

“Great time with the team to bond really over the offseason, and really just keep working over the summer, being able to compete at a high level,” Tanoa said Monday, as the second week of preseason practices began in University Place.

Curtis returns six players that earned league honors in 2021, including versatile junior quarterback Rocco Koch, who was a first-team selection as an athlete.

Koch was a 1,500-yard passer and 1,150-yard rusher as a sophomore and piled up 26 touchdowns.

What will it take for the Vikings to contend for a top spot in one of the state’s toughest leagues this fall, and compete to return to the state playoffs for the first time since 2018?

“Definitely momentum,” Koch said. “We’ve got to get out there and push, and we’ve got to be faster.”

STEILACOOM SENTINELS

Steilacoom denied Enumclaw the 2A SPSL title last fall, riding a dominant effort to a 14-7 road win at Pete’s Pool in October. That league championship team graduated 26 seniors from last year’s group, so this year’s team is young, returning just one starter on offense and none on defense. Sophomore Drew Macdonald will start at quarterback for the Sentinels and will have some explosive players around him, including junior running back Jaycion Cain.

Steilacoom coach Kyle Haller feels good about the receivers, led by Jaydus Green, Michael Tambulo and Josiah Morley. Green, a 6-foot-4 junior, is the most intriguing player on the roster. He looks the part and took third in the Class 2A state track and field meet in the high jump, jumping a personal-record 6 feet last spring as a sophomore. Also a basketball player, Green has the athleticism and measurables to blossom into a big-time player and recruit.

“We’ve improved a lot on our outside receivers, our QB and receivers — we’re just all working well as a team,” Green said. “Our line is getting bigger, better, stronger. Our defense, we’re just really aggressive. We’re not going to let anything get past us. Offense, we’re just going to keep pushing up the field. We’re not gonna let no one stop us. We’re just doing what we can do.”

AUBURN TROJANS

Senior quarterback Amari Goodfellow has seen this Auburn program make strides throughout his career.

“We’ve steadily progressed over the years,” he said. “We went from 3-3 to 6-4, and hopefully this year we’ll do a little bit better than last year.”

With Goodfellow, the 4A/3A NPSL Blue Division player of the year and first-team quarterback last season, and several more first-team selections back to lead the way, Auburn is ready to take the next step, contend for a 3A NPSL title this fall and look to advance to the state playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Auburn advanced to the 3A district playoffs last season, but lost to perennial power O’Dea. The Trojans last made the state bracket in 4A in 2012.

Entering this season, Goodfellow noted Auburn — which returns 10 starters on offense and six on defense — has worked on keeping intensity high and tempo up.

“We’re always going,” he said. “We don’t really stop.”

Auburn brings back all eight of its 4A/3A NPSL Blue Division first-teamers from last season, including Goodfellow, offensive lineman of the year Utu Kamaunu, defensive back of the year and first-team offensive lineman and linebacker Kaiden O’Neal, all-purpose player of the year and first-team wide receiver and defensive back Lateibreon Chandler, first-team offensive and defensive lineman TJ Wilson, first-team wide receiver Luvens Valcin, first-team linebacker Easton Rutledge and first-team defensive back Semaj Brown.

WASHINGTON PATRIOTS

There’s a bit of a buzz around Washington this year. The Patriots return eight starters on offense and seven on defense and seem poised for a breakout season in the 2A SPSL, if everyone stays healthy. Senior quarterback Luke Elliott returns for his second year as Washington’s starting signal caller and will have plenty of talented players to get the ball to.

“We were all in the weight room like four times a week over the offseason,” Elliott said. “Definitely just our line has improved a lot, we’ve all been working hard. We all have a common goal of going to state and making noise over there. Everyone’s been working hard.”

Junior running back Unterrio Latin-Henley, an Eastside Catholic transfer, is the league’s top player. Considered a three-star recruit by 247sports.com, Latin-Henley holds offers from UW, USC and others.

Latin-Henley won’t be a one-man show, though. Washington returns receivers Breydan Fisher and Rai Elliot and figures to have solid line play on both sides, led by Felix Kiama, Let’l Tanupo and Matt Lefeau. Keep an eye on defensive back Jay’von Harrison and linebacker George Maiava, too.

“The d-line is looking insane,” Elliott said. “We’ve got some big boys who are just angry, just want to hit a quarterback. That’s always a good thing. Our secondary is looking really good as well. We’ve got some really good safeties, some ball hawks in the DB’s, our linebackers are ready to do whatever they need to make the team better. I’d say every aspect looks pretty good.”

ORTING CARDINALS

Fresh off a season-ending loss to Ridgefield in the first round of last year’s 2A state tournament, coach Tom Bannan sat down with all of Orting’s players one-on-one to ask them the same question: How do we improve for next year?

Many of them responded with the same answer. We need to be stronger, they said, one by one.

So Bannan, entering his fourth season as head coach, crafted a weight program with the coaching staff. He opened the school’s weight room to his team in January, with much of the Cardinals roster training throughout the summer, he said.

“I like the energy out of this group,” Bannan said. “They’re athletic, and they’ve got a lot of heart. I think they have what it takes to be better than just a qualifying team this year.”

Senior quarterback Mason McCall returns as Orting’s signal-caller and vocal leader, commanding the attention of his teammates in crucial moments.

“He makes sure they’re doing the right things,” Bannan said. “They can ask him questions. He’s been the quiet guy coming through. … It’s been nice to see him open up a little bit, and see him take on that (vocal) role.”

Orting graduated last season’s 2A SPSL offensive player of the year Aiden Herd, now a tailback for Pacific Lutheran University. But, the Cardinals return 13 total starters, including first-team guard Kodie Bravetti and first-team middle linebacker Kaiden Whitaker.

Four offensive linemen return to protect McCall, and Bannan plans to debut the 6-foot, 200-pound Whitaker in a rushing role for his junior season. It’ll be his first time playing on both sides of the ball.

It’s an admittedly tough start to the slate, which opens with reigning state semifinalist Squalicum on Sept. 1. The Storm lost to top seed Tumwater last November, and despite graduating Division I talent, enter 2022 as a contender.

Week 2 supplies another marquee meeting with Eatonville, which took an unblemished season into last year’s 1A title game before losing to Royal.

If the Cardinals (5-4, 3-2 2A SPSL in 2021) want to compete for a league title, they’ll need to “stay consistent” and “work hard,” McCall said. He’s confident Orting can take on anyone lined up against them — even Squalicum, given the team’s weight gains.

“This year compared to last year,” McCall said, “our strength numbers have been not even comparable.”

MOUNT TAHOMA THUNDERBIRDS

For Keith Terry, the opportunity to coach his alma mater is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. At Mount Tahoma’s practice Thursday, he recalled the T-Birds’ historically-tough and hard-nosed program, hoping to continue that tradition in his tenure.

First, Terry was Auburn Riverside’s defensive coordinator for six seasons. He took a hometown gig at Mount Tahoma in 2020, first serving as the offensive and defensive line coach, and was later promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021.

In 2022 — Terry’s first season as head coach — he’ll have 19 returning starters.

“It’s huge. That’s really big for us,” he said. “I think we spent the last couple of years teaching a lot, and now, we get away from that. They understand the game. When the game slows down, they are able to showcase their talent.

“I think that really gives us a chance to be in position to make the playoffs.”

Mount Tahoma (4-4, 2-3 3A PCL in 2021) returns all five offensive linemen, including standout junior Marquise Thorpe-Taylor, already sporting a Division I offer from Arizona.

He’ll protect receiver-turned-quarterback Derrik McKinney, who snagged second-team honors in last season’s 3A PCL and returns for a senior season in the T-Birds’ pistol scheme.

“Last year, (McKinney) started trusting himself with the ball in the air,” Terry said. “Running the ball, he can do that naturally. … He’s taken command of the offense.”

Mount Tahoma’s coach can’t wait to watch a new-and-improved linebacking corps come Sept. 2, when the T-Birds kick off their season with 2A contender North Kitsap. Terry’s secondary may be “the more-polished” defensive unit, though Diego Flores, an Auburn Riverside transfer, plugs in at middle linebacker and solidifies a “young, athletic, and hungry” group.

“I feel like we have the athletes,” Terry said. “It’s us being able to get over that mental hump of the commitment it takes to be a champion. … We’re going to be there. We’re going to make some noise.”

BONNEY LAKE PANTHERS

A new offense is coming to Bonney Lake this fall. Chris Paulson, who was the head coach at Curtis for five years before resigning and taking a job on Keith Ross’ staff at Sumner, is the new offensive coordinator at Bonney Lake. He’s installing a 2-back gun offense at Bonney Lake.

“It’s a little more complicated than what we’re used to, but we’re picking it up quick,” said all-league first-teamer Thomas Drenkel, who plays tight end, tackle and on the defensive line for the Panthers. “I like it.”

Bonney Lake went 2-4 last season in the 3A Pierce County League, collecting wins over Stadium and Mount Tahoma. Enrollment and participation numbers have been on the rise, according to coach Jason Silbaugh. Whether that will translate into more wins remains to be seen, but the Panthers are confident in what’s returning. Drenkel is the team’s top player, but keep an eye also on senior 6-foot-3 receiver Cooper Wilson, senior center Drew Black, junior quarterback Braydon Palmer and running back tandem Marcus Lloyd and Emarion Clayton, both juniors.

On defense, the linebackers may be the best unit, led by junior Emarion Clayton and senior Skye Matsukawa. Drenkel posted 25 tackles for loss last season on the defensive line.

“We’ve just got to show up,” Drenkel said. “A lot of these teams, they think that they’re all that. We’ve just gotta show them that they’re not. They underestimate us, that’ll be their downfall.”

CAPITAL COUGARS

Capital’s practices are full of internal competition as the Cougars work to improve.

“We’ve got a lot of energy, we’ve got a lot of excitement,” coach Terry Rose said. “We’ve got guys competing for jobs. It’s been phenomenal. We’ve got a talented group that are really pushing each other, and that’s what you want to see.”

Quarterback Angus Hubbard has been sharp, along with receivers Carson Woods, an experienced senior, and junior Kai Laukkanen. Senior Steve Simmons, playing his first season of football, has caught on quickly.

Defensively, linebacker Erik Davis is the centerpiece after recording blockbuster tackle numbers in several games a year ago.

“Erik’s our leader, that’s our guy,” Rose said.

Davis liked what he saw of Capital’s early practices, saying, “We’ve got energy. We’re starting to fly. We just need to be more disciplined.”

Capital knows to climb quickly up the ranks of the deep 3A SSC is a tough task.

“As a team that’s coming off a bit of a struggle, we want to find a way to reach up to that level,” Rose said. “We’re going to go out each week a mindset that we’re competing with the best.”

TIMBERLINE BLAZERS

With an experienced quarterback in Jackson Brown, Timberline had upset potential in a 3A SSC race generally predicted to go Yelm’s way. When Brown went down with a UCL injury, costing him his senior season, uncertainty checked into the lineup along with sophomore QB Jacob Nadeau.

But after a Friday scrimmage with Lakes — which like the Blazers finished 7-4 and in the postseason last fall — third-year head coach James Jones was encouraged.

“The things that were good were great. We can build on those,” he said. “The things we struggled with were guys getting used to game speed. We’re going to be able to clean all that up.”

Jones wants to keep things basic for Nadeau early on, building an offense that relies primarily on veterans like fullback Kaleb McNeely and tight end Darrell Gipson.

“Jacob’s a really talented kid. If he can manage the game, we’ll be good,” he said.

McNeely, a two-way player who was a 3A SSC first-team pick at linebacker last fall, says the defense has been “lights out” so far and the key to Timberline’s postseason chances.

“Our defense has to be there every game,” he said.

This story will be updated. Keep checking in as we continue to visit more schools around the South Sound.

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