2026 Preseason Top 100 Season Preview: No. 79 Graham-Kapowsin (WA)
Jeff Logan’s Eagles return their quarterback, nine defensive starters and a deep group of Division I recruits.
Top 25 Public HSFB8/31/20264 min read
T25PS
Graham-Kapowsin reached the Washington Class 4A semifinals last season and returns enough experience to take the next step. The Eagles bring back quarterback AJ Tuivaiave, leading receiver Kase Betz and nine defensive starters from an 11-2 team.
Jeff Logan returns as head coach with continuity at quarterback, across the defense and throughout a senior class that includes several Division I recruits.
No. 79 will be tested immediately. The first three games are all on the road: a semifinal rematch at Lake Stevens, a trip to Richland and an interstate game at Central Catholic in Oregon.
Team Snapshot
Location: Graham, Washington
Head Coach: Jeff Logan
2025 Record: 11-2
2025 Finish: Washington Class 4A state semifinalist
Defensive Starters Returning: 9
A Returning Quarterback With Real Options
Tuivaiave is a 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior who already owns the job. He does not enter 2026 surrounded by anonymous replacements. Betz caught 76 passes for 1,221 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and is committed to Montana State.
Malik Burns is committed to Eastern Washington, Preston Lagat is committed to Portland State and junior Jayce Halasz adds another versatile option. Senior tackle Ayden Bullinger remains a major college prospect after decommitting from Hawaii in June.
Nine Defensive Starters Change the Ceiling
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Graham-Kapowsin allowed Lake Stevens to score 44 points in the 2025 semifinal. The Eagles now return nine starters from that defense, including Betz and Halasz as two-way contributors.
That experience gives the opening month unusual value. Lake Stevens provides an immediate rematch, while Richland and Central Catholic require the Eagles to win away from home against different styles. A team with state-final expectations should learn more in those three weeks than it would from a comfortable September.
Players to Know
AJ Tuivaiave, QB, junior
Tuivaiave returns as the starting quarterback and gives Graham-Kapowsin continuity at the position that decides most preseason projections.
Kase Betz, WR/DB, senior
The Montana State commit caught 76 passes for 1,221 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025. He also recorded 58 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble on defense.
Ayden Bullinger, OT, senior
Bullinger is a senior tackle with Division I size and experience. He reopened his recruitment after decommitting from Hawaii in June.
Malik Burns, WR, senior
The Eastern Washington commit gives Tuivaiave another senior target opposite Betz.
Jayce Halasz, ATH, junior
Halasz is one of the key underclassmen on a roster otherwise driven by senior experience.
Schedule Breakdown
The Sept. 4 opener at Lake Stevens is a direct response opportunity after last season’s 44-35 semifinal loss. Richland and Central Catholic follow, so Graham-Kapowsin will play three road games before its home opener.
The league portion is more manageable, but Olympia, Yelm and the SPSL crossover can affect the postseason path. The early road schedule should determine whether the Eagles are merely a strong semifinal team again or a genuine state-title threat.
Complete 2026 Schedule
Sept. 4: at Lake Stevens
Sept. 11: at Richland
Sept. 18: at Central Catholic (Oregon)
Sept. 25: Spanaway Lake
Oct. 2: at Olympia
Oct. 9: Bethel
Oct. 16: at Yelm
Oct. 23: Bonney Lake
Oct. 30: SPSL crossover opponent
Biggest Question
Can the Eagles turn continuity into a better November?
The major positions are not vague. Tuivaiave is back at quarterback, Betz leads a veteran receiving group and nine defensive starters return. The question is whether that experience closes the gap that appeared in last season’s semifinal. The answer starts with the same opponent in Week 1.
Bottom Line
Graham-Kapowsin is not rebuilding under Jeff Logan. The Eagles return the players and the defensive continuity that matter most.
If the Lake Stevens rematch shows real progress, No. 79 will have a credible state-title ceiling from the first Friday of the season.
This preview is presented as part of MISTER F00TBALL’s National High School Football Composite Rankings, partnered with and powered by Prep Gridiron Logistics, the only rankings to include every national poll and every team receiving a Top 25 vote.
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T25PS Prediction
Projected Regular-Season Record: 8-1
Projected Postseason Finish: Washington Class 4A state finalist
Three opening road games make 9-0 possible but aggressive. Graham-Kapowsin has enough returning talent to win every one of them, yet the projection allows one loss before the roster settles into league play.
The postseason outlook is stronger. A returning quarterback, a 1,200-yard receiver and nine defensive starters are the profile of a team built to reach the championship game.
Thanks for reading,
Alex | T25PS
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