State quarters takeaways: 4A SPSL party in semis; Mount Tahoma’s test awaits
Week 12 (state tournament quarterfinals) of the Washington high school football season is in the books. TNT high school sports reporters Jon Manley and Tyler Wicke discuss what stood out from this week’s action.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM THE STATE QUARTERFINAL ROUND?
Manley: Three out of the four teams in the Class 4A state tournament semifinals are from the 4A South Puget Sound League — the best high school football league in the state, full stop. No. 6 Graham-Kapowsin faces No. 2 Lake Stevens, while No. 5 Sumner gets a rematch with valley rival Puyallup, the tournament’s top seed. We’re guaranteed at least one South Sound representative in the 4A state championship game, and I’m confident we have a good shot of seeing locals in the 2A and 3A title games, also. I’m not sure why the 4A SPSL is so far ahead of other leagues around the state right now, but I have some theories, and I’m curious to hear what the league’s coaches have to say. I’ll be diving into it more this week.
Wicke: We’ve advocated for the 4A SPSL as the state’s best football league this fall, but what we’re seeing in the state tournament speaks for itself. No. 1 Puyallup steamrolled Skyline with 49 unanswered points at Sparks Stadium in Saturday night’s state quarterfinals, their 11th straight win by at least four possessions. Sumner ran over Glacier Peak, and Graham-Kapowsin knocked off undefeated Gonzaga Prep on the road, lifting three SPSL programs into the state’s “Final Four.” Sumner head coach Keith Ross is far from surprised. “We know it. We have to play it every week,” he told reporters after RB Lance McGee totaled 226 scrimmage yards and the Spartans took down the Grizzlies, 34-17, at Sunset Chev Stadium. “It’s amazing to see how powerful our league has become. It’s been (growing) slowly over the years, but this is the year right now. And I think it gets us ready. We play teams better than teams we’re playing in the quarterfinals, during the season. That’s what’s amazing.”
WHICH QUARTERFINAL WIN WAS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE?
Manley: All of them were impressive, but I always think it’s a challenge to travel five hours and win games east of the mountains — which is why I picked G-Prep to win this game — so my pick is Graham-Kapowsin’s 42-35 win in Spokane over Gonzaga Prep. Gonzaga Prep had rolled everyone on its schedule prior to facing G-K but had no answers for the Eagles’ high-flying offense. Hats off to G-K coach Jeff Logan and his staff — that’s a signature win. I’m sure it was a fun bus ride home. Also, credit to Willie Garrow’s Tumwater squad, which held a good Franklin Pierce offense and electric running back Bryson Allen to just six points. I wondered how Tumwater’s defense would fare this season after losing a few key players to graduation, but it has maintained the standard.
Wicke: Graham-Kapowsin QB AJ Tuivaiave saved his best performance for the biggest game of his young career, tossing three touchdown passes with a career-high 539 yards and no turnovers in the state quarterfinals. It’s exactly what the Eagles needed from their standout sophomore to upset No. 3 Gonzaga Prep on the road in Spokane. In the South Sound: No. 1 Puyallup allowed a Skyline touchdown on the game’s opening drive before erupting for 49 unanswered points in a 49-20 win at Sparks Stadium. Just how quickly the Vikings can pile points is a sight to behold. There are simply too many playmakers to guard.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STOOD OUT MOST IN THE QUARTERFINAL ROUND?
Manley: Give me everyone in blue, white and orange. Graham-Kapowsin QB AJ Tuivaiave threw for a career-high 539 yards and three touchdowns in the team’s win over Gonzaga Prep. Receiver Kase Betz was unguardable, tallying 216 yards and a touchdown, and receiver Jayce Halasz racked up 188 yards and a touchdown on 12 receptions. There could be lots of points scored when Graham-Kapowsin meets Lake Stevens’ explosive offense this week.
Wicke: It’s always impressive how effective and efficient Sumner RB Lance McGee can be when defenses know who’s getting the ball more often than not. The Spartans gave their workhorse 25 touches in Saturday’s state quarterfinals with Glacier Peak, and he rewarded them with 226 scrimmage yards and three scores that pushed the 4A SPSL North MVP’s touchdown total to 31 this fall. It’s safe to assume he’ll remain the focal point in Saturday’s rematch with Puyallup. “All I’m going to say: We’re ready,” McGee told me. “It’s not going to be the same team as last time.” … One more shoutout from Eastern Washington: Moses Lake QB Brady Jay set an all-time state record with his 72nd touchdown pass of the season in Saturday’s quarterfinal loss to Lake Stevens. The 6-foot-1 senior posted 4,172 passing yards this year (and more than 11,000 for his career). Pretty unbelievable stuff.
WHICH SEMIFINAL GAMES ARE MOST INTRIGUING?
Manley: Sumner’s rematch with top-seeded Puyallup is an interesting game, but I think Graham-Kapowsin’s matchup with Lake Stevens could be the most fun. These are two of the state’s best offenses and have had some exciting matchups in past state tournaments. Turnovers and short fields could be the difference. In 3A, I’m looking forward to Mount Tahoma’s game against Eastside Catholic. It was inevitable that Mount Tahoma was going to run into the 3A Metro League eventually in this tournament. This team is built to compete up front with Eastside Catholic and O’Dea. It’s prove-it time now.
Wicke: I’m agreeing with Jon here: Graham-Kapowsin at Lake Stevens has Game of the Week potential, a strong endorsement considering the Sumner-Puyallup rematch. Lake Stevens and Moses Lake traded 117 total points in the Vikings’ 76-41 win on Saturday, and we could see a shootout of similar proportions when the high-flying Eagles head north. Defending 4A-champion Sumner must avenge their 36-point loss to Puyallup in Week 5 to return to the title game at Husky Stadium on Dec. 6. Head coach Keith Ross will have his team ready — its 58-22 loss in early October provides plenty of motivation on its own — but will the Black Flag defense do enough to slow the Vikings this time around?
This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM with the headline "State quarters takeaways: 4A SPSL party in semis; Mount Tahoma’s test awaits."
