NAPAVINE — For years, the football program of consistency and championship-esque aspirations in SW Washington has been Napavine High School.
Four straight trips to the Class 2B state title game. Three straight runner-up finishes inside Husky Stadium. And a state championship sprinkled in that mix, too. The Tigers have made it a tradition to play, practice and be together during Thanksgiving week.
Sometimes, traditions have to take a one-year hiatus. Which happened to Napavine last fall, losing in the state quarterfinals and falling two games short of a fifth consecutive chance at a state title.
“A wakeup call is good for them,” Josh Fay, entering year 20 at the helm of the Tigers, said. “I think guys are excited. Guys want to put their best foot forward.”
It’s a roster that didn’t lose many seniors, but the ones that did graduate were stars that will likely be filled by a junior class chomping at the bit.
Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s three-plus hour padded practice.
Offensive line already with high praise
From a question mark to a top-of-the-line strength, the Tigers front five has the makings of a stout unit. Returning first team all-league honoree Wyatt Colbert headlines the group that also brings back Drake Barnes, Matthew Watson, Brandin Fisher, Jackson Magana, Sawyer Dewitt, and Kyler Caywood.
Plus, two other rotation guys are back in the fold as well. Just one senior graduated from that room. Fay said it could be the best offensive line he’s had during his tenure at Napavine.
“We’re gonna be stronger this season,” Colbert said. “We got a lot more teamwork going and a lot more communication.”
Plenty of focus on conditioning
It’s that time of year where everyone, for the most part, is healthy. Still, the Tigers know better than anybody how quickly an injury can be a detriment to team morale.
Three years ago it was Karsen Denault’s collarbone. Then it was Cayle Kelly’s leg two years ago. Last year, Grady Wilson’s shoulder promptly forced a complete revamp of their offense.
There was a heightened emphasis on summer weights and workouts, but that’s just the beginning of what Napavine hopes is a healthier 2026.
“A lot of knee-based exercise, hip flexors, targeting a lot of areas in a lot of ways,” Fay said. “It was directed in those supporting ligaments and tendons, strengthening those.”
Quarterback competition
It's a three-man race to take snaps in Week 1 versus Toutle Lake. Dean Hamilton, who was thrusted into QB1 after Wilson’s injury, is a candidate as is junior Talon Tabor. There’s a returner that’s getting reps as well.
Beckett Landram is back in pads for the Tigers after taking last fall off. He was the QB in scout team offense and also team offense in the final two hours on Tuesday.
“We’re gonna work on consistency,” Hamilton said. “Our offensive is clicking.”
