Graham-Kapowsin looking to make deep run: Defense (preview)

Graham-Kapowsin is loaded with a mixture of key veterans and a promising young nucleus, and aspires to finish better than last season's state semifinal exit.   In fact, the goal is a state title.    While the offense is loaded with playmakers, the defense is defined by its veteran presence up front and a host of good athletes in the back end.   “We're a 4-2-5 base, route-reading defense,” coach Jeff Logan said. “We typically don't bring al to of pressure, but we try to allow our kids to identify what they are doing and  we make adjustments out of that. We have a system the kids can use and then adapt. It's worked really well for us. I'm a big fan of team speed on defense. The faster you get to the ball the more chaos you create.”   By season's end, the Eagles hope that the veterans are able to rotate in and out with a young nucleus of soon-to-be sophomores and juniors on the rise.   But that development may have to wait a bit, as G-K opens the season with three tough opponents on the road: Lake Stevens, Richland and Central Catholic (Oregon).   “We want to rotate a bunch of guys, especially early,” Logan said. “We've got some big, big games in the first three games. I would be hard-pressed to believe they are not all tight games into the fourth quarter, so it's possible that rotation comes a little later in the year.”    Here's a look at the Graham-Kapowsin defense:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/graham-kapowsin-looking-to-make-title-run-offense-preview/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/graham-kapowsin-looking-to-make-title-run-offense-preview/">Part 1 - Offense</a>   Defensive linemen   Graham-Kapowsin is loaded in the trenches on both sides of the ball with veteran leadership and aggressive tone-setters.    That's the case with the defensive front four.    “Similar to our offense, we are going to be a lot more experience and senior-heavy that in year's past,” Logan said.    [player_tooltip player_id='584671' first='Julius' last='Hernandez-Avila'] is back after a junior campaign in which he was named the SPSL defensive lineman of the year.   The 6-foot-1, 230-pound athlete was a force up front, registering 75 tackles, 4 sacks and two forced fumbles.    Joining him up front is fellow first-team all-league selection [player_tooltip player_id='1599632' first='Jeremiah' last='Leumuava'], a 5-foot-10, 245-pound dynamo,    “He's got quick get-off and just creates sideline-to-sideline havoc,” Logan said. “We turn him loose and let him go. He's fast, he's good and he's aggressive.”    Four-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='1368358' first='Nidahs' last='Nomura'], a 6-foot-235-pound versatile lineman is another veteran Logan and his coaching staff can rely upon.   While Nomura is undersized, he's got a motor and is extremely physical.   Another veteran, Adrien Tela, returns and is allowed to focus on defense this year after beginning his career as an offensive tackle.   “He rotated as an offensive tackle as a freshman three years ago, but he's probably more geared to defense,” Logan said. “With the guys we've got coming back, it frees him up on the defense side. He's every bit of 6-foot-3, 250. He's very technically-sound. He's not going to get pushed around.”   M.J. Wadley heads over from Yelm and is going to bring some serious depth to the group.   “He's a big strong kid,” Logan said. “He played against us last year and whooped us. He played on the edge. He's strong and plays with good pad level. He'll play inside and outside for us. He was an all-league kid and we're excited to see what he could do.”   There are 4-5 other young players who could pop from the class of 2028 and 2029, including Acelin Shanburn and Gregg Jenks.    Inevitably, one or two is likely to “pop” and be relied upon in big spots during the year.   It's a group that will be up for the challenge by year's end.    “It's the same 5-6 freshmen who are going to be sophomores who are all good football players,” Logan said. “They are all really good. Some are going to find their way to competing early and some will need a year to gain reps and get strong and gain experience, which we are in a position to do for them.”   Generally, it's group that lacks a true 300-pound mauler in the middle, but the kids are all high-motor, tough, experienced players who relevantly pursue the football.   “They all kind of look alike and do the same things well, so we are able to interchange those pieces,” Logan said.    Linebackers   In Graham-Kapowsin's 4-2-5 front, the middle duo is tasked with a lot of responsibilities.    “We put a lot of importance on our MIKE ‘backer to defend the run,” Logan said. “We (alter) the 4-2-5 a little bit to move around our SAM. He's got a lot of responsibilities and needs to be athletic enough to take on those roles.    Deacon Ravary returns and is expected to be a tone-setter.   “He's been the first linebacker into the game for us the past few years,” Logan said. “He's fast and runs well and is built a little more like a SAM, but flies around at MIKE.”   Pearson, an all-league running back who is physical no matter where he steps onto the field, will rotate in at MIKE as well - and he's eager to be an impact player both ways.   “That's probably more of a natural fit for what he'll be in college,” Logan said. “He's 6-foot-1, almost 6-foot-2 and 220. He's played linebacker his whole life. We've had older guys at linebacker, so he's been a running back, but this year he'll play some real ‘backer for us.”    [player_tooltip player_id='1368341' first='Derick' last='Manibusan'] also returns after contributing and starting much of the past three years.   “He'll be a three-to-four-year starter for us,” Logan said. “He's been a SAM for us ever since he came in here as a freshman. He was the captain of our defense and leads the guys.”    There's a few soon-to-be-sophomore who are also worth keeping a close eye on, as they will either hit the ground running as impact rotation pieces this year or help shape the future of the position for the Eagles,   Eurijah Maifea is one of those players.    “He's a big body who could end up finding himself as an edge rusher,” Logan said. “He's very physical and was a special team last year.”   Romiece Taviuni, nicknamed Ro, is another player in the program worth watching.   “He's not as tall as some of the kids, but he's fast and aggressive,” Logan said. “He's faster than what you might think on first glance. He can range sideline to sideline and drop back into coverage.”    6-foot, 190-pound Zealynd Pula is yet another young athlete who may be relied upon for some depth this year.    “His family just moved back from Lincoln and played in our youth program, so he's back with us,” Logan said. “He's a tough-as-nails kind of kid. He played quarterback growing up for us, so he's a smart kid. When they are starting right away they go play special teams or move around to make plays for us.”    Defensive backs   Graham-Kapowsin has a ton of intriguing athletes and use those various skillsets for a versatile, deep defensive backfield.   Washington Huskies commit and all-state-caliber cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='928074' first='Maurice' last='Williams'] has moved on (transfer, Timberline), but the Eagles still have two quality, proven corners.    [player_tooltip player_id='985348' first='Jayce' last='Halasz'] and Raymond Lagat both return.   Halasz is emerging as a potential bluechip recruit with significant Power 4 offers, while Lagat is emerging as a potential star.   And a recent offer from Eastern Washington is proof.    That scholarship could be the the beginning of his recruitment breakout.    “He's tall at 6-2, he's long and it's tough to throw the ball over him,” Logan said. “He's on guys' hips downfield and makes plays. He's a good tackler when teams throw underneath. I kind of think that offer is going to be the start of him getting more attention on the recruiting trail.”    [player_tooltip player_id='937738' first='Kase' last='Betz'] will be a starter Day 1 at nickel, and is one of the rare players who Graham-Kapowsin may not be able to take off the field.    “He's smart,” Logan said. “He started as a freshman on defense even before offense.”   Betz is a potential two-way all-league (all-state?) contributor who is one of the most under-appreciated players in the entire region.   Keyan Wilson is yet another starter in the defensive backfield.    “He started for us for two years now and will be a senior,” Logan said. “He's better setting that edge and making tackles, but he's capable in coverage. He's a very, very good tackle. He's long at 6 feet, 190 pounds and aggressive.”    At free safety, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2079670' first='George' last='Woods'] will be a cornerstone piece.   He registered a school-record 3 interceptions in a state playoff game against Kennedy Catholic - just missing a fourth - and is beginning to emerge as a potential star.    “He's super, super instinctual,” Logan said. “The athleticism and pedigree are there. He's big and fast and the thing that allowed him to play so early Is that he played in our youth program since he was 8 years old. So as he's come up he knows the terminology and knows the assignments, so he'll tell teammates where to be. He's built a ton of confidence and is the stalwart on the back-half of the defense. We have really, really high, warranted expectations of George.”   From there, several players will be tasked with contributing in big ways.   Josiah Sablan is among them.    “If I were to tally up most days in the weight room, Josiah is probably leading the team,” Logan said. “He's worked really hard to be ready to play varsity football, so we're excited to see him take a big step forward for us this year.”   Randy Reyes, a running back in the program, is another player who may not start, but will be an important two-way piece.    “He's going to compete for time,” Logan said. “He's one of best tackles. He understands leverage.”   Keh'ano Corpuz, a class of 2029 prospect with immense potential, will play some rover or safety.   “He's got some of the best in-air ball skills I've ever seen from a kid and he's only going to be a sophomore,” Logan said. “He started at corner for us last year, but safety/nickel is probably a more natural position for him so he can play downhill.”   Transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1368366' first='Malik' last='Burns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='985503' first='Trevon' last='Mayfield'] will provide depth at cornerback, but that duo, along with Josiah White, will also need to give some support to the safety and nickel positions.   “Burns and Mayfield both play corner and are really good. Burns played against us last year so we kind of know what he can do. Trey, although we know he's a good football player, we haven't played him, so we're excited to see what he can bring. Josiah didn't get playing time until we had a few key injuries, but he came in and played really, really well at corner.”    Class of 2029 athlete Sergio Samuels is another young player who could rise and contribute at nickel/safety.

Graham-Kapowsin is loaded with a mixture of key veterans and a promising young nucleus, and aspires to finish better than last season's state semifinal exit.