Graham-Kapowsin looking to make title run: Offense (preview)

Last season, a young Graham-Kapowsin Eagles squad made it all the way to the state semifinals before losing a shootout to Lake Stevens.   With much of its loaded roster returning, as well as a few new faces, Graham-Kapowsin has its eyes transfixed on hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.    And it's hard to blame them.   The Eagles have a stunning collection of talent, and a solid group of veterans leading the charge.   Here's a look at the GK offense:    Quarterback    Class of 2028 quarterback A.J. Tuivaiave isn't just one of the top quarterbacks in the state of Washington, he's one of the top signal-callers in the country.   What's new this year?    The slimmed-down 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback played basketball this spring and is bringing more athleticism to his already-razor sharp pocket vision.    “He's starting to transform himself,” Graham-Kapowsin coach Jeff Logan said. “He's becoming more athletic and unlocking some speed and agility. He's a really good leader and an incredibly smart kid. I haven't been coaching as long as some guys around the state, but I've never coached anyone as poised going from read 1 to 2 to 3 while staying in the pocket.”   Tuivaiave holds some major offers in his recruitment, and is still feeling out the process.   He has visited Washington multiple times, but also holds scholarships from Arizona State, BYU, Cal, Miami, Oregon and others, but already knows he has good landing spots from which to choose.    “He's extremely comfortable and built some really good relationships,” Logan said. “There are schools he talks to a little more and goes to Junior Days and unofficial visits and builds relationships with the coaches in the area, but there's still a couple of places he'd like to connect with.”   The Eagles have two young quarterbacks coming up who are intriguing.    Caleb Lagat has been with the youth program for awhile and has flashed some potential along the way.   Class of 2030 [player_tooltip player_id='1678920' first='Aizaak' last='Eneliko'] is relatively new to the quarterback position, but has noteworthy upside.   “He's just started focusing on playing the quarterback position,” Logan said said. “He's a super natural runner and throws the heck out it. He's got an incredibly high ceiling.”    Running back   Graham-Kapowsin returns first-team all-league running back [player_tooltip player_id='1576634' first='Blake' last='Pearson'].   Last fall, he rumbled his way to 1,079 yards on 189 carries (5.7 yards per carry).    “He's incredibly smart and played quarterback growing up as a kid,” Logan said. “He knows where to be in pass protection and knows how to run between the tackles. He's going to be our guy, our bell-cow kid. He'll play some linebacker, too, so we'll mix some guys in.”   From there, the Eagles will look to add some explosiveness with the depth on the roster.    Randy Reyes is one of the guys to watch, and was the No. 2 last fall.   “He's been with us and stepped up last year when Blake got banged up a little,” Logan said. “We were able to rely on him.”    Soon-to-be-sophomore Anthony Archer specializes in his ability to “one-cut and go,” which allows him bring an added layer with Pearson.     “He played up with us and he's got incredible vision,” Logan said. “That's what separates him. He runs that outside zone. He's worked his butt off and is going to have an incredibly successful future.”    Soon-to-be junior [player_tooltip player_id='985503' first='Trevon' last='Mayfield'] transferred in from Kentwood, where he primarily played wide receiver last year, racking up 33 receptions for 701 yards and eight touchdowns.   At GK, he will take on roles (and touches) at both running back and wide receiver in a Deebo-Samuel-style role.    Wide receiver   Graham-Kapowsin has an elite quarterback finding his receivers, but he's also going to have his hands full with all of the options at his disposal.   The Eagles are loaded at receiver, starting with class of 2028's [player_tooltip player_id='985348' first='Jayce' last='Halasz'], who is flirting with four-star status and recently added ACC offers.    “I think the thing that took off for him is that he's grown from 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-3 from his freshman year,” Logan said. “He's every bit of 6-foot-3 now. For that size, he moves incredibly fast and has good hips, covers a ton of ground with his strides. He's a special, special receiver.”    Don't be fooled, though, Halasz is not simply an “X.” He can do it all on the field and moves incredibly well for his long frame.    “He's not just a big body possession guy,” Logan said. “He runs by guys and gets open and creates separation. What gives him the high ceiling is his ability to move at that size.”    [player_tooltip player_id='937738' first='Kase' last='Betz'], a 4.0 GPA senior-to-be, is coming off a spectacular junior campaign in which he hauled in 73 receptions for 1,221 yards and 12 touchdowns. Expect similar production this fall - from the “X” position.   “He's playing our X receiver position, because if you cover Kase one-on-one good luck. If you put a safety over the top we can take advantage other places.”   As for his character, Betz is a tone-setter for the program.    “If he's not No. 1 as a program leader, he's 1A 1B with Dylan Morris,” Logan said. “I hope that speaks to what he's done and what he brings to our program.”    Class of 2029 receiver Keh'ano Corpuz was able to hit the ground running at the high school level this year, but should take yet another step forward.    “Coming to high school we see more and more skill kids coming in and being ready right away. That's a credit to the people he's worked with, because you can tell he's been well-coached,” Logan said. “He's an advanced route runner, he catches the ball and attacks it away from his body. We use him as a gadget guy some to get the ball in his hands.”   Soon-to-be junior Josiah White is a possession guy who has worked hard to become a contributor on the loaded roster.   "it took him a little bit to find his footing… the speed of high school football,” Logan said. “He's a possession guy and catches it away from his body. He's deceptively good after the catch.”   Spanaway transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1368366' first='Malik' last='Burns'], a first-team all-SPSL receiver last fall, joins the program and provides yet another talented playmaker.   Burns collected 739 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, giving G-K three players who could compete for first-team all-league honors.    Tight end   Soon-to-be senior Chisimdi Njoku and soon-to-be junior Collin Zieg are likely to compete for reps, but others could jump in the mix as well.   It's the lone position without a proven all-league-caliber talent on the offense.    “It's young, it's inexperienced, but there's promise,” Logan said.    If the group doesn't come together, the Eagles may play 10 personnel - one running back, four receivers.    Offensive line   “The group is going to be really, really good,” Logan said. “It's going to be the most senior group we've had in my five years. They are very, very talented with a ton of experience.”   Left tackle [player_tooltip player_id='569907' first='Ayden' last='Bullinger'] returns for his fourth year as the starter and is getting significant college looks.    “He'll be a four-year starter for us and has put on a ton of size and strength,” Logan said.   Class of 2028 interior lineman Tua Steffany also returns, and could be a stalwart at either guard or center at 6-foot, 310 pounds.    “He moves well for a kid at that size,” he said. “And he's versatile enough give us plenty of options.    J.T. Ioane, cousin of Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane and projected NFL first-round pick, is a big kid - “hands wrists, ankles, calves… he's just big” — but he's still relatively raw.   There's a lot of projection in the frame, and he could be special if a college is patient with him and works to develop him.   “It wouldn't surprise me that he ends up at 6-foot-4,” Logan said. “And he's nasty and tough.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1558507' first='Max' last='Brown'] and Nathan Catlett are among a talented 5-6-man nucleus of sophomore in the trenches who could rise up and earn signifiant rotation time this fall.   Brown and Catlett drew particular praise for their offseason work and consistency, but Logan said any of the collection of sophomores may pop in the coming months and become a key contributor up front.   Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1558350' first='Brodie' last='Key'] is also a name to watch.   The class of 2030 lineman has a chance to be really special, and that journey at the varsity level could begin as soon as this fall.    “He's really, really good,” Logan said. “He'll be up with us immediately with a chance to crack the rotation and maybe be our sixth guy.”

Last season, a young Graham-Kapowsin Eagles squad made it all the way to the state semifinals before losing a shootout to Lake Stevens.