Prime prospects

Aaron Clark

QB/LB/P, 6-4, 215, Sr., Sumner

His athleticism has opened eyes.

Victor Gamboa

WR/CB, 5-11, 175, Jr., Washington

Head-turner will see the ball more.

Alex Afuavi

OL/NG, 6-3, 258, Sr., Franklin Pierce

A handful on both sides of the ball.

Fun fact

The SPSL 2A was one of the most unpredictable leagues in the state last season as no team won more than four league games in a row.

Coaches picks

Predicted order of finish in the South Puget Sound League 2A in survey of league coaches, with 10 points for first-place vote, nine for second, etc. (first-place votes in parentheses). Coaches not allowed to vote for their own teams.

SPSL 2A team capsules

Clover Park Warriors

Location: Lakewood (suburban Tacoma)

Coach: Jon Randall (9th year)

2010: 5-5, 5-2

Returning starters (7 offense, 9 defense): WR/DB Bret Dulay, Sr.; QB/DB Dwayne Craford, Sr.; OL/DL Vela Faitalia, Jr.; OL/DE Ezra Gweon, Sr.; OL/DL Mark Thompson, Sr.; OL Lawrence Duff, Sr.; WR/LB Brady Daly, Jr.; OL Dominique Thibault, So.; WR/LB Larry Fourqurean, Jr.; WR/LB Kameron Pruett, Sr.

Other key returners: QB/DB J'Maka Love, So.; RB/LB DeShan Green, Sr.; QB/WR/DB Keila Pritchard, So.

Impact newcomers: LB Ryan Dickison, So.; WR/DL Tori Glaspie, Jr.

Outlook: Picked to finish last in the league now that all-everything Tana Pritchard has graduated, the Warriors are out to prove their doubters wrong. There is still some talent on the shelf, both on the line and in the skill positions. Crawford takes the reins and had a strong summer showing. Depth is a major concern and CP must physically survive the opener with powerhouse Lakes.

Eatonville Cruisers

Location: Eatonville

Coach: George Fairhart (17th year)

2010: 7-3, 5-2

Returning starters (7 offense, 7 defense): RB/DB Shane Saunders, Sr.; OL/DL Jordan Pegum, Sr.; OL/DL Lucas Hatton, Jr.; WR/DB Eric Mead, Jr.; WR/DB Brendan Davis, Jr.; QB/DB Zach Fairhart, Jr.; OL/DL Freddie Baumann, Sr.; WR/DB Ryley Gray, Jr.

Other key returners: RB/LB Keegan Brady, Sr.; WR/DB Brendan Davis, Jr.

Impact newcomers: OL/DL Tyco Brown, Jr.; OL/DL Wyatt Gustason, Jr.; WR/LB Jared Keefer, Sr.

Outlook: After a strong start (4-0), injuries took a toll on the Cruisers last fall and their prospects this season hinge in part on staying healthy. They don't have great size or speed, but are fundamentally sound and Fairhart has a way of getting the most out of his players. Son Zach takes over at QB and likely will limit mistakes. Kicking game should be a plus.

Fife Trojans

Location: Fife

Coach: Kent Nevin (10th year)

2010: 5-5, 2-5

Returning starters (5 offense, 6 defense): QB Gage Rosbach, Sr.; RB/DB Rhyse Zenkner, Sr.; OL/DL Ethan Salley, Sr.; OL/DL Andrew Kang, Sr.; OL/DL Steele Johnson, Jr.; WR/DB Garrett Anderson, Sr.; FB/LB Tui Foa, Sr.; OL/DL Jack Aveavalo, Sr.; RB/DB Joe Ortquist, Jr.

Other key returners: RB/DB Yusuke Ishiguro, Sr.; FB/LB Dominic Dutru, Jr.; RB/DB Carl Finlayson, Sr.; OL/DL Tommy Mathews, Jr.; TE/LB Mark Treneer, Sr.; OL/DL Scott Rhodes, Jr.

Impact newcomers: OL/DL Michael Davis, Jr.; QB/DB Andrew Waltner, Jr.; OL/DL Monike Failauge, So.; OL/LB Allan Richards, So.; WR/DB Keanu Songcuan, So.; OL/DL Andrew Chase, So.; OL/DL Abraham Fata, So.

Outlook: Three of the Trojans' league losses were by seven points or less, so learning to finish will be critical this season, according to Nevin. They are more experienced than last season, with good team speed and a solid line. Improved defensive play is also a key. Rosbach runs the wing-T well and has a quick-hitter in Zenkner.

Franklin Pierce Cardinals

Location: Tacoma

Coach: Howard Lutton (24th year)

2010: 5-5, 4-3

Returning starters (5 offense, 5 defense): OL/DL Alex Afuavi, Sr.; WR/DB Issac Mustin, Sr.; RB/LB Iopu Ignacio, Sr.; QB Reilley Pierce, Jr.; OL Joseph Dirckx, Sr.; WR/SS Issac Howard, Sr.; OL/LB Sililo Smaga, Sr.; LB Sam Tate, Sr.

Other key returners: RB/LB Curtis Cepeda, Sr.; WR/DB Dashawn Salgadago, Sr.; OL/DL Jasper Haney, Jr.

Impact newcomers: RB Juan Herrera, Sr.; QB Daniel Wheelock, So.; K Megan Mortensen, Jr.

Outlook: Speed should be a plus for the Cardinals this season, both in the backfield and at receiver. Mustain and Herrera can fly and Howard is quick as well. Pierce is more seasoned at QB after a year under his belt and Afuavi is a handful up front. FP must be more consistent to be in the playoff mix.

Steilacoom Sentinels

Location: Steilacoom

Coach: Brian Koch (5th year)

2010: 5-5, 3-4

Returning starters (9 offense, 7 defense): RB/DB Jake Esseln, Sr.; RB/LB James Dodsworth, Sr.; WR/DB Austin Jones, Jr.; OL/DL Travis Pine, Jr.; OL/LB Jackson Leech, Jr.; OL/LB Jordan Leech, Jr.; QB/DB Lucas Mireles, So.; OL/DL John Santos, Jr.; RB/DB Chase Mattox, Sr.

Other key returners: RB/LB James Mack, Jr.; RB/LB Nick David, So.; TE/DB Victor Reyes, Sr.; TE/DL Grant Reed, Sr.

Impact newcomer: RB/LB Dario Jones, Sr.

Outlook: Esseln was the third-leading rusher in the league last season and Dodson also was in the top 10, giving the Sentinels a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield. Mireles jumped in at QB midway through the season and should continue to mature. Koch looks for a more balanced attack this year. Team speed on defense should be a plus and the line is quick on both sides. This is still a young team and could be a year away from contending.

Sumner Spartans

Location: Sumner

Coach: Keith Ross (10th year)

2010: 7-3, 5-2

Returning starters (5 offense, 5 defense): QB/LB/P Aaron Clark, Sr.; RB/DB Tyler Salisbury, Sr.; WR/DB Brenden Baker, Sr.; WR/DB Brennan Mickelson, Sr.; OL Derek Corn, Sr.; LB Jon Mayer, Sr.; OL/DL Marc Cisineros, Jr.

Other key returners: WR Dam DeVeroes, Sr; WR Dave DeVeroes, Sr,; OL Jordan Wenger, Jr.; RB Lokahi Kamau, Jr.; DL Brysen Tuilaepa, Jr.; OL Jared Schiefer, Sr.

Impact newcomers: WR/LB Taylor Fischlin, Sr.; DL Zack Busick, So.; OL Brandon Montgomery, Sr.; TE/LB Austin Stripland, So.

Outlook: The development of an inexperienced line could be the key to another success season for the Spartans, who have an abundance of skill players. Salisbury was one of the team's two 1,000-yard rushers (along with Cody Haavik, who graduated) and is poised for another strong season. Clark runs the option well and can throw, too. Keep an eye on Stripland, younger brother of Ben Tua (D-lineman of the year in 2010).

Washington Patriots

Location: Tacoma

Coach: Mike Von Rueden (3rd year)

2010: 4-6, 4-3

Returning starters (7 offense, 7 defense): QB Jordan Mezias, Jr.; RB/LB Ramsey Davis, Jr.; RB/DB Elishama Weems, Sr.; TE/LB Jacob Tuivaiave, Sr.; OL/DL Tyler Welch, Sr.; OL/LB Seth Burleigh, Sr.; WR/CB Victor Gamboa, Jr.; RB/DB Demariae Lee, Jr.; RB/LB Eric James, Sr.; DL Darius Gill, Jr.; DL Bruce Toala, Sr.

Other key returners: TE/LB Justice Waite, Jr.; RB/DB Shawn Dixon, Jr.; OL/DL Scott Sherry, Sr.; OL/LB Alex Yevchev, Jr.

Impact newcomers: K Perry Brooks, Sr.; OL/DL Aaron Young, Jr.; OL/DL Diamond Pedro, Sr.

Outlook: Some expect this to be the year for the Patriots, who relied on several key sophomores last season. That experience could pay big dividends. Gamboa earned all-league first-team honors at receiver and should have the ball in his hands even more this season. Tuivaiave is a playmaker on defense. Brooks missed all of last season with an injury, so his return gives the kicking game a huge boost.

White River Hornets

Location: Buckley

Coach: Joe Sprouse (2nd year)

2010: 1-9, 9-7

Returning starters (7 offense, 6 defense): OL/DL Scott Rose, Sr.; OL/DL Nate Rasmussen, Sr.; QB Zach McMillan, Jr.; RB/LB Josh Miller, Sr.; WR/DB Mark Monteiro, Sr.; OL/DL Colton Doyle, Sr.; TE Scott Anderson, Jr.; OL/LB Blake Maresh, Sr.; DL Brian Mitchell, Sr.; LB Chris Skinner, Jr.; DL Jeff Lind, Sr.; DB Colton Altanmirano, Jr.; DL Brett Mudd, Sr.

Other key returners: CB Eli Bickel, Sr.

Impact newcomers: RB/LB Keenan Fagan, So.; RB/LB Garret Quiles, So.; WR Brandon Dove, So.; LB Jesse Allen, Jr.; DL Bryant McGuire, Jr.; RB Devin Libel, Jr.

Outlook: Sprouse says the Hornets have something to prove this season and like their chances of making some noise. They have enough talent and depth to two-platoon and will feature several sophomores who probably could have started as freshmen. Now it's a matter of proving themselves and being able to win close games. Getting off to a good start will be one of the keys.

Sandy Ringer