4A SPSL football preview: Predictions, primers, team capsules

Sumner won the league title a year ago, advancing to the state semifinals before losing to Camas. The state-champion Papermakers also ended Graham-Kapowsin’s season in the first round.

Longtime assistant Steve Davis, an Olympia graduate, takes over as the Bears’ head coach. Bill Beattie left for Tumwater earlier this year.

Olympia has a senior-heavy squad this season. The Bears could start as many as 20 seniors, Davis says.

Graham-Kapowsin (9-2 last year), Sumner (12-1), Olympia (7-3), Bellarmine Prep (7-4), Curtis (4-5), Puyallup (4-6), Emerald Ridge (4-6), South Kitsap (2-8), Rogers (1-9).

Oct. 6: Sumner at Olympia, 7 p.m., Ingersoll Stadium

BELLARMINE PREP LIONS

Coach: Brian Jensen, third year

2016 record: 7-4, fourth in 4A SPSL, lost in first round of state playoffs

Offense: Coordinator — Brian Jensen (multiple). Returning starters — 5. Top players — WR Christian Brown, 5-10, 175, sr.; TE Chase Chandler, 6-1, 200, sr.; OL Josh Hanigan, 6-0, 235, sr.; TE Sam Behnke, 6-3, 217, jr.; OL Reese Lawrence, 6-1, 210, jr.; QB Marcus Stowers, 6-0, 185, soph.; OL Josiah Nikolao, 6-1, 280, soph.

Defense: Coordinator — Dan Shaw (multiple). Returning starters — 5. Top players — DB Christian Brown, 5-10, 175, sr.; LB Chase Chandler, 6-1, 200, sr.; Josh Hanigan, 6-0, 235, sr.; DL Sam Behnke, 6-3, 217, jr.; DL Reese Lawrence, 6-1, 210, jr.; LB Luke Weller, 5-10, 217, jr.

Outlook: The Lions have a new quarterback in Stowers, who can count on senior wide receiver Christian Brown (53 catches, 813 yards, four TDs in 2016). If Stowers settles into his role quickly, the Lions should compete for a playoff spot.

CURTIS VIKINGS

Coach: Chris Paulson, third year

2016 record: 4-5, fifth in 4A SPSL

Offense: Coordinator — Paulson (pistol spread option). Returning starters — 9. Top players — RB Sabian Bryant, 5-7, 160, sr.; OL Brett Clemensen, 6-1, 260, jr.; RB Izaiah Fields, 5-8, 150, sr.; WR Taj Moffett, 5-11, 165, sr.; WR Zack Paulsen, 6-4, 180, jr.; OL Luke Purcella, 6-0, 240, jr.

Defense: Coordinator — Jason Anderson (3-4). Returning starters — 6. Top players — DB TJ Banks, 5-10, 175, sr.; DB Cody Beard, 5-11, 180, sr.; DB Sabian Bryant, 5-7, 160, sr.; LB Miles Cooney, 6-1, 210, jr.; DB Carson Gregg, 5-11, 165, sr.; DB Taj Moffett, 5-11, 165, sr.

Outlook: The Vikings should be sharp on offense (nine starters returning), including Bryant, who finished fifth in the league in rushing last season and senior speedster Fields, who averaged 10 1/2 yards per carry and finished second in the 4A 100-meter dash at the state track meet in the spring.

EMERALD RIDGE JAGUARS

Co-coaches: Brian Anderson, Torey Donovan, Darren Erath, Troy Halfaday, ninth year

2016 record: 4-6, sixth in 4A SPSL

Offense: Coordinator — Donovan (veer). Returning starters — 2. Top players — OL Brandon Bare, 6-4, 205, sr.; RB Jakob Hausenauer, 6-1, 180; OL Mosiah Liu, 6-2, 260, sr.; OL Jona Mains, 6-0, 295, soph.; OL Justin Stoll, 6-0, 203, jr.; WR Omari Williams, 6-3, 190, sr.

Defense: Coordinator — Erath and Anderson (odd front). Returning starters — 2. Top players — DL Brandon Bare, 6-4, 205, sr.; DB Jakob Hausenauer, 6-1, 180; DL Mosiah Liu, 6-2, 260, sr.; DL Jona Mains, 6-0, 295, soph.; LB Justin Stoll, 6-0, 203, jr.; DB Omari Williams, 6-3, 190, sr.

Outlook: The Jaguars return just four starters and will need to gel quickly.

GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN EAGLES

Coach: Eric Kurle, 13th year

2016 record: 9-2, second in 4A SPSL, lost in first round of state playoffs

Offense: Coordinator — Kurle (multiple pro). Returning starters — 7. Top players — WR Tre Mason, 6-0, 175, sr.; QB Dylan Morris, 6-1, 200, jr.; OL Ethen Proter, 6-3, 285, jr.; RB Micah Smith, 6-1, 190, jr.; OL Chris Sparks, 6-1, 240, jr.; WR Thomas Wheeler, 6-0, 200, sr.; TE Tyler Wheeler, 6-1, 210, sr.

Defense: Coordinator — Travis Robinson and Muckie Foreman (4-2-5). Returning starters — 5. Top players — DB Kasia Childress, 5-11, 180, sr.; DB Drew Hagen, 5-9, 175, sr.; LB Villamia Hansen, 5-10, 205, sr.; DB Jermiah Kekoa, 6-0, 190, sr.; DL Ethen Proter, 6-3, 285, jr.

Outlook: Morris and Smith will help the Eagles score plenty of points. With talent and experience on both sides of the ball, G-K is one of the favorites to capture the league title.

OLYMPIA BEARS

Coach: Steve Davis, first year

2016 record: 7-3, third in 4A SPSL, lost in district playoffs

Offense: Coordinator — Steve Davis (multiple). Returning starters — 7. Top players — WR Adam Berg, 5-11, 180, sr.; WR Ibi Cessay, 5-11, 180, sr.; OL Tyson Holloway, 6-2, 240, sr.; RB Owen Shea, 6-1, 205, sr.; OL Logan Wood, 6-3, 240, sr.; QB Ketner Young, 6-3, 185, sr.

Defense: Coordinator — Dennis Graham (4-2-5). Returning starters — 5. Top players — LB Toran Effland, 6-1, 195, sr.; DB Garrett Iyall, 5-9, 175, jr.; LB Isaac Mucklan, 5-11, 215, sr.; DL Noa Peralta, 6-0, 225, sr.; LB Eachen Pettis, 5-9, 195, sr.

Outlook: The Bears will replace one the league’s best backs (Scott Gunther) with Shea, who saw plenty of time last season. Young is entering his second season at quarterback after throwing for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Cessay was a regular target last season, and with two new receivers’ coaches, look for Olympia to throw the ball more.

PUYALLUP VIKINGS

Coach: Gary Jeffers, eighth year

2016 record: 4-6, seventh in 4A SPSL

Offense: Coordinator — Ray Brassard (multiple). Returning starters — 6. Top players — RB Kyle Cramer, 5-9, 175, jr.; QB Jacob Holcomb, 5-11, jr.; WR Landen Neff, 6-2, 185, sr.; WR Darius Morrison, 6-3, 180, jr.; OL Carson Simmons, 6-4, 240, sr.

Defense: Coordinator — Spencer Boyes (3-4). Returning starters — 5. Top players — LB Kyle Cramer, 5-9, 175, jr.; LB Mason Hague, 6-0, 185, sr.; DB Landen Neff, 6-2, 185, sr.; LB Brendon Ngotel, 5-8, 185, sr.

Outlook: Jacob Holcomb takes over for his older brother Nathaniel, who graduated after a stellar senior season (3,408 yards, 41 TDs). Jacob inherits a talented group of receivers.

ROGERS RAMS

Coach: Gene Bowen, 14th year

2016 record: 1-9, ninth in 4A SPSL

Offense: Coordinator — Dane Looker (multiple). Returning starters — 6. Top players — QB Brydon Harlan, 6-1, 180, sr.; WR Imari Hurte, 5-9, 165, jr.; RB Aaron Johnson, 5-9, 200, sr.; WR Tyrese Rios, 6-1, 180, soph.

Defense: Coordinator — Andy Armstrong (4-4). Returning starters — 5. Top players — LB Hunter Briggs, 5-11, 180, sr.; LB Kyle Peter, 5-8, 200, jr.; DL Russell Wilson, 6-1, 220, sr.

Outlook: The Rams have a strong group of running backs and receivers with a lot of speed. There’s some experience, too, with 11 starters returning.

SOUTH KITSAP WOLVES

Coach: Cory Vartanian, first year

2016 record: 2-8, eighth in 4A SPSL

Offense: Coordinator — Lyle Prouse (spread). Returning starters — 3. Top players — RB Izaiah Davis, 5-10, 200, sr.; OL Darian Fether, 6-1, 239, sr.; QB Garrison Gilssen, 6-2, 190, sr.; WR Quinn Ogan 5-8, 150, sr.

Defense: Coordinator — Derrick Saulsberry and Sean Banks (4-3). Returning starters — 5. Top players — DB Deyondre Davis, 5-8, 150, soph.; LB Nathan Marin, 5-10, 170, sr.; DL Deandre Matanane, 5-10, 285, sr.; LB Norman Padranois, 5-8, 205, sr.

Outlook: Vartanian took over on May 15, not leaving much time to adjust to new systems, although he said the team has been quick to embrace its new defensive scheme.

SUMNER SPARTANS

Coach record: Keith Ross, 17th year

2016: 12-1, first in SPSL, lost in state semifinals

Offense: Coordinator — Spencer Crace (west coast veer). Returning starters — 6. Top players — OL Alex Beringer, 6-2, 300 jr.; QB Luke Ross, 6-2, 175, sr.; OL Austin Roth, 6-3, 250, sr.; RB Tre Weed, 6-1, 190, sr.; RB Ben Wilson, 6-2, 220, sr.

Defense: Coordinator — Ross (black flag 4-4). Returning starters — 5. Top players — DL Torben Deese, 6-2, 255, sr.; DL Logan Mayer, 6-2, 260, sr.; DB Blake Tannehill, 5-11, 185, soph.; DB Tre Weed, 6-1, 190, sr.; LB Ben Wilson, 6-2, 220, sr.

Outlook: The Spartans said goodbye to star Connor Wedington, but remain loaded. Weed and Luke Ross give them a nice balance on offense and the defense, led by Wilson, is one of the strongest around. The Spartans will be in the mix for another league championship.

Staff writer Lauren Smith contributed to this report.

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 4:53 PM with the headline "4A SPSL football preview: Predictions, primers, team capsules."