The high school football season begins in early September and The News Tribune has been all over the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices before games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually before the season kicks off.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Federal Way Eagles this fall.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s preseason practice tour. Find the , complete with insight on over 20 teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
FEDERAL WAY EAGLES
Head coach: Marcus Yzaguirre, seventh year
2025 results: 6-4, Class 3A district playoffs
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Melvin Wells, Spread (Multiple)
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Thomas Bogan, 4-2-5
OUTLOOK
In college football, the University of Iowa is known as ‘TEU’ — recognized nationally for its development of pro-ready tight ends. Ohio State is ‘WRU.’ Oklahoma churns out NFL quarterbacks.
If Washington’s high school football landscape crowned a DBU? That’d be Federal Way.
Some 20 former Eagles defensive backs are currently playing at the collegiate level. Andre Jordan Jr., a 2023 grad, joined the SEC’s Auburn Tigers in January. Jaylon Jenkins is a preseason All-American at Eastern Washington, alongside reigning TNT All-Area selection Zamarie Tellez. Federal Way alum Jay Sinclair attends Central Washington.
“When DBs come in here, they know who’s come before them,” Federal Way head coach Marcus Yzaguirre told The News Tribune at Monday’s practice. “They know we’re going to leave them on an island. We’re gonna let (them) cook.”
The DB factory remains open for business. Five standouts headline the Eagles secondary this fall, with size up front and track speed everywhere else. Aspirations in Federal Way are sky-high.
“We want to win a state championship, first and foremost,” senior safety Tayven Collins, a Cascade Christian transfer, said Monday. “We believe we have the coaching staff and the players to do it.”
Freshman cornerback Dash Jones, the team’s interception leader through spring camps, already owns offers from defending national runner-up Miami, Penn State, and UCLA. Collins will attend New Mexico next fall and speedy cornerback Mikey Waller, who missed time with a knee injury last season, is back to full-go. Look for seniors Miles Fuavai and Sio Filikitonga, too.
Collins, a TNT All-Area all-purpose selection in 2025, was everywhere for 1A-Cascade Christian. He logged 63 tackles at safety and three touchdowns at running back, even throwing six touchdown passes.
Where will he line up for the Eagles this fall?
“Everywhere, just like how it’s always been,” he said, smiling. “I just love football.
“I’m kind of a positionless player. I just play wherever they need.”
If opposing offenses elect to avoid Federal Way’s secondary and run the ball instead, linebacker Kaicen Carter will be waiting. The junior three-star recruit takes pride in captaining the defense, holding offers from the likes of Washington, Oregon, and Arizona State.
“I’m working (on) playing sideline-to-sideline,” Carter said, an entrenched starter with linebacker Andrew Peapea. “That’s what you’re supposed to do on the field. … Be vocal.”
Last year, the Eagles found themselves starting their fifth-string quarterback by season’s end. Federal Way’s starter broke his ankle in Week 4, and their backup broke his wrist two weeks later at White River. When playoffs rolled around, Yzaguirre was left with defensive backs Tellez and Sinclair in the wildcat.
Sophomore Cordae Norling, another Cascade Christian transfer, is the new signal-caller in town. He and Collins will file a West Central District appeal to play Week 1, in coordination with WIAA transfer guidelines.
Yzaguirre said Norling and sophomore quarterback Isaiah Healy will share weekly reps.
Running backs Curtis Gilmer and Ray Rondon will split carries. Four-star sophomore Justin Suega, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver, has collected offers from Washington, Arizona, and Utah. Watch for left tackle Xavier Berry and defensive end Chester Malele-Tala, a “hidden gem” in the South Sound, Yzaguirre said.
Federal Way’s league schedule begins Week 1 with 3A NPSL rival Kent-Meridian on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
“Look out for us,” Carter said. “We’re coming for everybody.”
KEY PLAYERS
DB Tayven Collins, sr.
LB Kaicen Carter, jr.
CB Dash Jones, fr.
WR Justin Suega, soph.
DE Chester Malele-Tala, sr.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 4: vs. Kent-Meridian
Sept. 10: vs. Kentlake
Sept. 17: at Auburn Mountainview
Sept. 25: at Enumclaw
Oct. 2: at Thomas Jefferson
Oct. 9: at Todd Beamer
Oct. 16: vs. Decatur
Oct. 23: vs. White River
Oct. 30: at Sunnyside