2026 South Sound football predictions: Who will win 4A SPSL MVP honors?
The high school football season is just around the corner in Washington. Wondering who might snag player of the year honors in high school football leagues around the South Sound in 2026? We have some predictions. In the coming days, we’ll offer predictions for overall MVP, offensive MVP, defensive MVP, offensive line MVP and defensive line MVP in local leagues.
Some leagues have certain voting stipulations, e.g. players have to be two-way players to be named MVP, for instance. But for the sake of simplicity, I’m predicting MVPs based solely on impact, rather than tailoring predictions around the specific voting rules of each league.
Up first: the North and South divisions of the Class 4A South Puget Sound League.
4A SPSL NORTH
MVP: QB Noah Smith, Puyallup, sr.
He threw for 2,230 yards (247 yards per game) and 31 touchdowns in just nine games after having to sit out for the first four games because of transfer rules. The lefty is precise, accurate and runs Puyallup’s offense masterfully in both the short passing game and taking shots downfield. Expect big numbers in the fall.
Offensive MVP: RB Briytan Bailey, Puyallup, jr.
Bailey emerged as a workhorse back for the Vikings in 2025, rushing for 1,696 yards (8.2 yards per carry) and 24 touchdowns, equal parts power and speed. I have no reason to believe he’ll slow down in 2026.
Defensive MVP: LB Michael Pulalasi, Puyallup, sr.
Pulalasi’s first season in purple was a success after he transferred from Lakes. A tackling machine and nasty hitter, the Eastern Washington commit racked up 93 tackles with 15.5 tackles for loss last year. One of the area’s most instinctual defensive players.
Offensive line MVP: Gecova Doyal, Puyallup, sr.
Whether in pass protection or as a punishing run blocker, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound UW commit is one of the area’s elite offensive linemen. With how explosive Puyallup’s offensive promises to be, Doyal will be valuable in both facets of the game.
Defensive line MVP: Gray Longoria, Sumner, sr.
The 4A SPSL North defensive lineman of the year in 2025 was a standout as both a defensive lineman and tight end for last year’s state championship squad. Longoria’s defensive versatility makes him valuable — the UNLV commit has the speed to rush off the edge and the physicality to beat interior linemen, too.
EXTRA POINTS
I would’ve had Sumner top-ranked recruit and UW commit Braylon Pope somewhere on this list, but the speedy receiver will miss the entire 2026 season with an injury he suffered recently. Keep an eye on Puyallup WR/DB J’Isaiah Mitchell, too. The 6-foot-5 Boise State commit figures to be one of the league’s top two-way players, which could lead to an overall MVP nod. Could Curtis OL/DL Rashaun Lavata’i displace Doyal, who recently committed to UW? The 6-foot-7 WSU commit has been turning heads in the offseason and certainly has the frame and skill set, but if the impact of the two players is relatively equal, the league’s coaches may opt for the team with more team success, which figures to be Puyallup. One other name to watch: Puyallup sophomore DL Kitiona Tupua, a 6-foot-2, 285-pounder who already has a bunch of major offers. He’s due for a monster season.
4A SPSL SOUTH
MVP: QB AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin, jr.
The 6-foot-4 signal caller and coveted recruit is built like a tank but can spin the ball with the best of them. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns last season as a sophomore. With another year of experience under his belt and some explosive receivers to throw to, 3,500+ yards and 40+ touchdowns don’t seem out of reach.
Offensive MVP: Kase Betz, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
A high-level route runner who can stretch the field and make defenders miss in space in the short passing game, Betz was the 4A SPSL South MVP last season after totaling 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lots more coming for the Montana State commit.
Defensive MVP: Ioelu Feo, Bethel, jr.
Bethel has become a linebacker factory in recent years (recent Bison grads Zaydrius Rainey-Sale and Ramzak Fruean both currently play for UW). Feo, who gets into opposing backfields in a hurry, is next in line.
Offensive line MVP: Ayden Bullinger, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
It’s been a bit up and down for Bullinger over the course of his high school career after the offensive tackle burst onto the scene as a promising freshman. I’m banking on the 6-foot-5 Hawaii commit putting together his most dominant high school season yet in his senior year.
Defensive line MVP: Julius Hernandez, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
Last year’s 4A SPSL South defensive lineman of the year is a bully who can set the edge defensively, match the state’s best tackles from a physical standpoint and stuff the run. A tone-setter for the Eagles.
EXTRA POINTS
Graham-Kapowsin junior WR/DB Jayce Halasz, who has turned into a national recruit with length and legit speed, could very easily end up being the overall MVP or offensive player of the year. I’m giving the nod to Betz since he’s the reigning league co-MVP, but I’m interested to see how each of their seasons unfold. Will anyone from Olympia emerge? Graham-Kapowsin is the head and shoulders favorite in the division, but there’s a chance a running back or lineman from Olympia breaks out under first-year coach Cary Nagel, who has a Power T background.
This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "2026 South Sound football predictions: Who will win 4A SPSL MVP honors?."
