4A SPSL’s Top Returning Underclassmen (DEFENSE)
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Here we break down the top athletes returning next season in the 4A SPSL and what they bring to the table. Have a look as the conference is loaded with talent.. *No Particular Order DEFENSE Drake Johnston Drake Johnston 6'4"…
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Here we break down the top athletes returning next season in the 4A SPSL and what they bring to the table. Have a look as the conference is loaded with talent..
*No Particular Order
DEFENSE
Drake Johnston Drake Johnston 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Bellarmine | 2024 State WA 6-5 225 Jr. DE Bellarmine Prep- Johnston earned 1st team all-conference honors and was an absolute tear coming off the edge. His stock could potentially sky rocket considering his size and ability to maneuver.
Gregory Sikorski Gregory Sikorski 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Sumner | 2024 State WA 6-5 300 Jr. DT Sumner- One of the highest ranked and well know lineman in the NW. Sikorski was one of the few to earn 1st team all-league accolades on both sides of the football. Look for him to add to his offer list shortly, with Oregon St and Air Force already making their intentions known.
Cole Johnston Cole Johnston 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Bellarmine | 2024 State WA 6-2 200 Jr. LB Bellarmine Prep- This kid followed up a nice sophomore year by earning 1st team all-conference honors. Look for Bellarmine to improve on their (4-6) season in 2023.
Xavier Ahrens 6-2 190 So. DB Curtis- One of the most impressive sophomores on the west coast. His size and god given instincts were apparent all season, returning multiple INTs for TDs in a single game, and earning 1st team all-conference honors. .
Gio Kafentzis Gio Kafentzis 5'8" | 180 lbs | WR Emerald Ridge | 2024 State WA 5-10 175 Jr. DB Emerald Ridge- Easily one of the most productive players in the entire NW, earning 1st team all-league honors on both sides of the football. Separate from his 11 offensive TDs, he had 34 total tackles and 3 INTs.
Sean Ponce 5-10 275 So. DL Sumner- Ponce was a disrupter on the interior and will be a key piece of the defense over the next two seasons. He earned 2nd team all-conference accolades.
Levi Turner 6-0 195 Jr. OLB Graham-Kapowsin- Turner had a phenomenal season, earning 2nd team all-league D line honors while putting up an impressive stat line. On the year he has accounted for 70 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.
Cale Allen Cale Allen 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Olympia | 2024 State WA 6-1 225 Jr. LB Olympia- One of the most versatile kids in the conference. He impressed on D, earning 2nd team all-league accolades with 61 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. He backed that up on offense with 553 yards on 73 touches (58 rushes, 15 receptions).
Coen Cronk Coen Cronk 6'3" | 180 lbs | DB Olympia | 2024 State WA 6-3 180 Jr. LB Olympia- Cronk was deserving of 1st team all league honors, but earned 2nd team. Defensively he was everywhere making 47 total tackles, with 12 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks. He’s an appealing recruit with the frame to add size.
Elijah Pula Elijah Pula 5'11" | 225 lbs | LB Bethel | 2024 State WA 5-10 210 Jr. LB Bethel- A two-way threat within the conference. Pula made 55 tackles with 5 tackles for loss, earning 2nd team all-conference honors, while also averaging 7.3 yards per rush.
Zaydrius Rainey-Sale Zaydrius Rainey-Sale 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Bethel | 2025 State WA 6-2 215 So. OLB Bethel- Rainey-Sale will be one of the top ranked OLB’s state wide for his class. His recent offer from Colorado and 2nd team all-league accolades put an exclamation point on that. He made 53 tackles, with 5.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks on the year.
Jayden Rice-Claiborne 6-1 180 So. DB Curtis- Rice-Claiborne earned honorable mention all conference honors at DB. He will team with top sophomore Xavier Ahrens in the secondary, to form one of the elite 2025 duos.