Puyallup poised to push for state title: Defense

The Puyallup Vikings appeared to be a team of destiny last fall, going undefeated in the regular season to claim the No. 1-seed in the 4A state tournament.   But in the state semifinals, Sumner avenged a 58-22 regular season loss, upsetting Puyallup 42-35 in a thriller.   Inspired and ready to go the distance this fall, the Vikings have both a stacked roster and an awe-inspiring schedule, believing a battle-tested squad should handle playoff adversity better this time around.   Puyallup isn't hiding from anybody, but why create the state's toughest schedule, featuring Rocky Mountain (Idaho), Bellevue, Lake Stevens, Sumner and, likely, the SPSL title game?    “Two reasons” Puyallup coach DJ Mims said. “The first reason is we breezed by every game last season, so we didn't have any close games. We didn't battle adversity. We saw that adversity against Sumner in the semis and there were moments where our kids were a little uneasy. They found some weaknesses we didn't know at the time because he hadn't been tested as a team or coaching staff. The idea is to play the best teams we can find and play an out-of-state game every season.”   And the other reason?    “It was hard to find games because people didn't want to play us,” he said. “We reached out to a bunch of teams in Oregon and didn't really hear back, so we pivoted to playing as many good teams in our state as we could schedule.”    Mims spoke highly of the marquee opponents on the schedule and believes his squad will be tested.   But it's also a roster with few weakness.   Part 1 - Offense (Preview)   Here's a spring preview of the Puyallup defense:   Generally, Puyallup runs a 4-2-5 and is unlikely to start guys on both sides of the ball - with one exception (at least barring injuries/major changes).   SPSL athlete of the year [player_tooltip player_id='1605386' first='Luke' last='Parker'] is a big play waiting to happen as a slot receiver and defensive back - and even at quarterback in an emergency, as he showed in the first four games of last season.   Names along the offensive line may rotate in along the defensive line and vice versa - same with some of the wide receivers and defensive backs.   The goal is to not overload any athlete with two-way responsibilities.   Even some of the offensive stars, such as running back [player_tooltip player_id='985352' first='Briytan' last='Bailey'], will share some reps so another “38 carries against Graham-Kapowsin” doesn't repeat.   In other words, don't overlook the emerging depth of this program, because several players will be big-time contributors when the dust settles on spring practices, summer workouts and fall camp.   Defensive line   Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='986529' first='Malakai' last='Leuelu'] is a 6-foot-2, 270-pound force on the edge.    Given his impact from a season ago, it's fairly easy to project him as a “ready to go” returner.   “He was a starting defensive end last year and will probably be a plug-and-play guy in the same spot,” Puyallup coach DJ Mims said. “He's a high-motor guy who sets the edge and can get after the quarterback.”   Class of 2029 defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1969806' first='Kitiona' last='Tupua'] plays the 3-tech and flashed major upside as a freshman last fall, registering a pick-6 against Sumer.    “He's got a chance to be on the most heavily-recruited kids on the West Coast,” Mims said. “He's already got multiple offers.”   Those scholarships include Arizona, Oregon State, Utah, Washington and others.   He's the real deal.    Opposite Leuelu will likely be defensive end Isaiah Whatley, a 6-3, 220-pound edge rusher.   A season after being a key rotational piece, he may take a significant leap forward.    “He rotated last year but is looking to take the spot over this year,” Mims said. “We're excited about him. He looks the part.”    1-tech defensive tackle Ben Lavea is a junior-to-be with the requisite size (6-3, 310 pounds) to plug up the middle.   As previously stated, some starting jobs are still up in the air - and even those who don't start could see significant actions.   Colton Caldara, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound edge rusher, started six games last year and will be a key piece up front.   Linebacker    It's difficult to put into words just how special [player_tooltip player_id='1188110' first='Michael' last='Pulalasi'] was at Puyallup last season.   Prep Redzone named him the state's defensive player of the year, and the top defensive player in the entire Northwest region from a production standout.   The two-time defensive player of the year in league play is smart, violent and an omni-present force opposing offenses must be aware of at all times.    The 6-foot, 220-pound ‘backer isn't the biggest player on the field Friday nights, but it's hard to find anyone who is better.    Pulalasi currently holds offers from New Mexico, Utah State, Portland State and Idaho.   But it's just hard not to envision him getting a shot, wrecking things from scout team and special teams and eventually become a key in the heart an of FBS defense.    “It doesn't make any sense,” Mims said. “We think his recruitment is going to spike either before the season or soon. You just put on the tape and watch him go. He's going to make plays.”    Two other players are expected to share the other linebacker responsibilities, as each is a better fit against the run or pass.    William Lorenz, a 6-1, 190 cover ‘backer, should be ideal in third and long situations, while soon-to-be sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2137854' first='Ryder' last='Cate'] is a more traditional downhill linebacker at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds.    Defensive backs   There are some big-time playmakers returning across the board for Puyallup, who is firmly in contention for the Northwest's best program alongside Graham-Kapowsin.   But there are some holes to fill at defensive back.   “We lost [player_tooltip player_id='726165' first='Jasiah' last='Denmark'] (Montana State) and [player_tooltip player_id='1165415' first='Jayden' last='Woodland'] (Eastern Washington), so those are going to be question marks - who will play that corner and free safety spot?,” Mims said. “Right now, it's a committee thing, but we know two safeties and a corner.”   Slot receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1618413' first='Trey' last='Bowman'] will be taking on a crucial role in the defensive backfield this fall. “He'll end up holding a corner spot,” Mims said.    Parker will be a safety and he'll continue to go both ways for a program trying hard to get away from that.   He's that important to both sides of the ball.    [player_tooltip player_id='984781' first='Markel' last='Newell'], a 5-foot-11, 180-pound versatile defensive back, is a super physical Swiss Army knife who PRZ absolutely adores.   Even before he had FBS offers, we had him as a top-five player in the entire state for his class.   Newell is beginning to wake folks up to that fact, as he's added offers from Arizona, Boise State, San Diego State, Washington State and many others.   Don't worry about the size, especially as college football an the NFL have emphasized physical nickels in recent years.   Newell is a fit for modern defenses.    “He's a bully,” Mims said. “He's the guy you got to have your head on swivel for coming over the middle because he's going to knock your block off. He's going to probably finish his career a four-year starter at Puyallup.”    J'isaiah Mitchell, a 6-foot-5 dynamic receiver, rotates in at defensive back and is difficult to throw over.   From there, Mims believes he's got several options to choose from - in many cases the same rotation of players who can catch touchdown passes on offense.    “We've got about five or six names competing and we don't want a lot of guys playing both ways, so we'll spend the spring and early fall looking for the right fit,” he said.

The Puyallup Vikings appeared to be a team of destiny last fall, going undefeated in the regular season to claim the No. 1-seed in the 4A state tournament.