Sleeper teams in the 3A class
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As players wrap up their 7v7 seasons and wrap up attending camps and showcases, I wanted to take a look into each class within the state and see which teams that you need to keep an eye on as the…
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Continue ReadingAs players wrap up their 7v7 seasons and wrap up attending camps and showcases, I wanted to take a look into each class within the state and see which teams that you need to keep an eye on as the season goes along. Here are a couple teams in the 3A class that could be sleeper teams to keep an eye on.
Stanwood HS – Last Season: 10-2
This Stanwood team isn’t necessarily a “sleeper” team but with losing such a big time player like Ryder Bumgardner, they will be in need of some adjustments. They made the state tournament last year, losing in the 2nd round to O’Dea HS by a score of 21-42. They will still be returning a ton of talent all around. Some notable names on the roster next year will be, Max Mayo (’24, DB), Canyon Bumgardner (’25 RB/DB), Luke Brennan (’25 QB), Charles McEwen (’26 RB/LB), Cruise Swanson (’25 RB/LB), Isaac Petree (’24 WR), Trey VanPutten (’25 DT). If they can fill Ryder Bumgardner’s 2,500+ yards of all purpose yards with all the talent, (I think they can), they will be a solid team once again.
Lakes HS – Last Season: 6-3
Lakes showed a lot of great things on the field but just couldn’t get over the first hump. They had David Wells who was a top WR in the entire state and also had arguably the best RB duo with Leo Pulalasi and Ki’Marre Washington. With ’26 QB Legend Galeai Legend Galeai 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Lakes | 2026 State WA coming back for the squad and having already had a full season of varsity experience, Legend is going to have a MASSIVE sophomore year. Some other players who could make an impact for Lakes on the field are Ta’ulelei Markeo (’26, LB/RB), Michael Pulalasi Michael Pulalasi 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Lakes | 2027 WA (’27, ATH), Oakland Cotton Oakland Cotton 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Lakes | 2024 State WA (’24, WR/DB), Elijah McChristian (’24, WR/DB).
Lincoln (Tacoma) HS – Last Season: 11-1
Lincoln was a solid team last season, only losing 1 game during the season and that game was in the 2nd round of the state tournament. They had the talents of Gabarri Johnson, who is now headed to Missouri. Navarre Dixon Navarre Dixon 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Emerald Ridge | 2024 State WA , who is a top running back in the entire state is also transferring and attending Emerald Ridge HS. Kelly Sio-Fetaui (’24, RB/LB) will be back to get some of the workload in the backfield. Most eyes will be on Sione Kaho Sione Kaho 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Lincoln | 2027 WA (’27, QB) who is on national radars throughout the country. He’s a special talent who will be fun to watch for 4 full seasons.
Capital HS – Last Season: 3-7
Here is one team who was below .500 last year, but I think could sneakily make some noise within the 3A classification. They will have to replace Angus Hubbard (’23, QB) who had a big 6’6″ frame and made some tough throws. They play in an extremely talented conference but I think they can hold their own. Here are some names to keep an eye on this season, Kai Laukkanen Kai Laukkanen 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Capital | 2024 State WA (’24, WR/DB), Brenton Handsford Brenton Handsford 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Capital | 2024 WA (’24, DL), Bennett Pittman Bennett Pittman 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Capital | 2025 State WA (’25, OL) and a plethora of young talent that could surprise people.