The end of the summer is usually recognized by the Labor Day weekend. But for a real sports fan, the end of summer is welcomed with the beginning of football season.
This weekend marks the kickoff of the high school football year. All four Federal Way teams will be in action Friday night. And just like every other team around the state, all four schools start the season with hopes of contending for league and state titles.
The Federal Way Eagles are hoping to rebound from a rare down year on the road against Graham-Kapowsin at Art Crate Field in Spanaway. The Eagles failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in five seasons with a disappointing 4-6 record.
The Todd Beamer Titans enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, making the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Titans lost to Skyview in Vancouver in the opening round. Beamer also opens on the road against the Emerald Ridge Jaguars at Sparks Stadium.
Jefferson also will get on a bus and travel for its opener. The Raiders open in Maple Valley against the Tahoma Bears Friday night in a key early-season SPSL North battle. Jefferson finished the 2010 season with a 3-7 record, but showed a vast improvement from past performances.
The Decatur Gators will be the only Federal Way team to play at home during the first week of the season. The Gators have a tough task in taking on the ninth-ranked Kennedy Catholic Lancers at Federal Way Memorial Stadium Friday in a non-league contest. Decatur finished 1-9 last year in its first Class 3A season.
Here’s a quick look at Federal Way, Beamer, Jefferson and Decatur for the upcoming season:
FEDERAL WAY EAGLES
Head coach: John Meagher, 14th season
Top players: LB/OL Jordan Pulu, Sr., 6-2, 235; RB/OLB D.J. May, Sr., 5-11, 190; OL/NG Uso Olive, Sr., 6-0, 290; WR/DB Mike Tate, Jr., 6-1, 180; WR/DB Marcel Morris, Jr., 5-10, 170; OL/DL Faauiga Taala, Sr., 5-10, 245; OL/LB Albert Havili, Jr., 6-2, 235; FB/LB Rod Jones, Jr., 6-2, 230; WR/DB J.J. McNeal, Jr., 5-8, 165; RB/OLB Jaylen Price, Sr., 5-11, 220; OL/LB Anthony Whitten, Sr., 6-1, 205.
Outlook: After four-straight appearances in the postseason, the Eagles fell to 4-6 last year in the SPSL South. But Federal Way has plenty of talent coming back and should fight for the South title this season. The Eagles’ defense will be led by Washington State-commit Jordan Pulu and Portland State-bound Uso Olive, while the offense will feature senior running back D.J. May. May ran for 1,310 yards last year and scored 13 touchdowns. The Eagles will replace three-year quarterback Nick Tanielu with a pair of juniors — D’Londo Tucker and Evan Elliot. Early, it looks like Federal Way will be battling Bethel, Curtis and Roers for the league’s playoff berths. Curtis has won the last three SPSL South titles.
TODD BEAMER TITANS
Head coach: David Sundheim, third season
Top players: WR/S Willie Roach, Sr., 6-2, 185; RB/LB Nick Bod, Sr., 5-10, 185; G/DE Milo Loving-Williams, Jr., 5-11, 235; FB/DE Marley Liulama, Sr., 6-0, 290; WR/DB Andre Evans, Sr., 6-2, 175; RB/DB Shawn Priggett, Sr.; FB/LB Dee Bolden, Sr.
Outlook: The Titans are looking to build on last year’s success. Beamer reached the postseason for the first time in school history before losing to Vancouver’s Skyview in the opening round. But the Titans will have to replace several talented players from a season ago, including first-team, all-leaguers Nicky Fualaau and T.J. Esekielu. Beamer brings back only four starters on offense and six on defense. The offense should be led by wide receiver Willie Roach, who is drawing Division-I interest.
THOMAS JEFFERSON RAIDERS
Head coach: Dean Peck, fifth season
Top players: QB/SS KW Williams, 6-2, 200; DE/TE Tim Luafatasaga, 6-3, 250; C Troy Wiggins, 6-2, 260; OT A.J. Breland, 6-5, 340; OT/DT Jefferson Aumua, 6-4, 350; FB Ian Tougher, 6-2, 225; WR/LB Gunner Sonnenfeld, 6-2, 220.
Outlook: The Raiders made some strides last season, but still only finished with three wins. Jefferson will miss the running of Keegan Giles, who led the SPSL in rushing last year. But the Raiders will have a veteran behind center in senior K.W. Williams. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder threw for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010 and also ran for nearly 400. Jefferson’s defense will be led by linebacker/defensive end Tim Luafatasaga and interior lineman Jefferson Aumua. Also back is wide receiver/linebacker Gunner Sonnenfeld.
DECATUR GATORS
Head coach: Leon Hatch, ninth season
Top players: LB/FB Connor Schilling, Sr. 6-1, 220; RB/CB Yohiness Jennings, Sr., 6-1, 205; SS/RB Curtis Harvili, Sr., 6-0, 200; QB/FS Jason Wiley, Sr.,5-10, 170; QB/CB Abraham Ferrell-Logan, Jr., 6-1, 200; G/LB James Bagley, Jr., 6-1, 250; OT/DT Kyle Gleed, Jr., 6-2, 265; OG/DL Amante Bell, Sr., 6-0, 260; C/DL Sam Burns, Sr., 6-2, 275; WR Michael Klavuhn, Sr., 5-9, 170; ; RB/CB Kevin Young, Jr., 5-10, 170.
Outlook: The Gators struggled during their inaugural season in the SPSL 3A Division. Decatur finished 0-5 in league play. Their only victory last year came in a non-league contest against Lincoln. The Gators, however, do return plenty of talent, including a total of 16 starters on both sides of the ball. Decatur’s defense should be led by senior linebacker Connor Schilling and strong safety Curtis Havili. The offense should be led by quarterbacks Jason Wiley and Abraham Ferrell-Logan.
