Here is an inside look at the 2019 Puyallup Vikings football team.
Links: Puyallup team page | 2019 schedule | Roster
2018 IN REVIEW
11-2 in 4A SPSL (first place); lost to Union in 4A semifinals
COACHING RESUME
Gary Jeffers, 10th season
53-42 record
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense – 4. Defense – 5.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
OL Braeden Bellmer, 6-4, 275, sr.
TE/WR Isaac Clark, 6-4, 210, sr.
QB Lucas Holcomb, 6-4, 190, jr.
OL David Iuli, 6-5, 340, so.
OL Austin Lawrence, 6-5, 285, sr.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
LB Isaac Clark, 6-4, 210, sr.
DB Kyler Johnson, 5-11, 185, sr.
DL Aho Makaafi, 6-0, 275, jr.
LB Danny Uluilakepa, 6-0, 215, sr.
DL Sermon Wilson, 6-2, 225, jr.
THREE TO SEE
Braeden Bellmer, offensive lineman
Iuli might end up higher-ceiling college prospect, but all-league guard anchors good line
Isaac Clark, tight end
If Vikings can unlock his vast potential in passing game, he could have monster year
Danny Uluilakepa, linebacker
There wasn’t a better player manning the middle than state’s leading tackler (182)
OUTLOOK
After two close losses to eventual state champion Union, a case can be made that the Vikings were the second-best team in 4A last season.
But that core of seven all-league playmakers, led by 4A SPSL player of the year Jacob Holcomb (3,148 passing yards, 45 TDs; 765 rushing yards), graduated.
What will the next wave bring? High hopes — still.
Even though new starter Lucas Holcomb is a more natural athlete than his brother, questions remain about how he can lead an offense — one that is expected to lean on the run game a bit more this season.
And with as good a set of blockers leading the way (Bellmer, Uili, Lawrence) as you will see in the league, it makes sense to become more ball control, and rely more on a defense with the established linebacking tandem of Uluilakepa and Clark.
2019 SCHEDULE
Sept 6: at Bellarmine Prep, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Emerald Ridge, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20: at Sumner, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: Graham-Kapowsin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5: Union, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11: at Olympia, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: South Kitsap, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25: at Curtis, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1: Rogers of Puyallup, 7 p.m.
