TUMWATER — There is no way to sugarcoat it.
The 2023 season ended in disappointment for the Tumwater football team, which lost the 2A state title game in blowout fashion.
As the T-Birds seem to always do, however, they are reloaded and ready to make a run at another league and state title.
That quest to get back to Husky Stadium started last week. Here are three takeaways from one of their two-plus hour practice sessions:
Bitter pill to swallow
At this time of the season, all of coach William Garrow’s focus is on Puyallup, Tumwater’s Week 1 opponent.
But over the last nine months, he, his staff, and returning players have had plenty of time to reflect on last year’s ending.
“Nobody’s happy to lose,” Garrow said. “We didn’t feel like we played to our capabilities.”
The T-Birds didn’t dwell on the loss for long, however. Instead, banners and shirts were made and put into view throughout spring and summer workouts, a steady motivator for a team that hopes 2024 ends differently.
No time to waste
A Tumwater practice is an incredibly smooth and efficient operation.
Every single detail is planned down to the minute, as players sprawl across the field to work on whatever drills Garrow and his assistants have planned for the day.
Transitions between drills are seamless and quick, meaning Garrow and his staff are making the most out of the time they get with their players.
“I’m big on preparation,” Garrow said. “There’s a lot of traditions here, and this is one of mine,” he added, pointing towards his thorough practice plan.
Fresh faces
After losing 15 seniors, some roster turnover is expected, but Garrow is confident and excited about some newcomers that he expects to jump in.
Sunny Nguyen, a transfer from Timberline, was an 3A SSC All-League DB each of the last two seasons, and he is also expected to get snaps as a wide receiver on offense.
Jaxon Budd, last year’s JV quarterback, is set to take over for Ethan Kastner, who’s now at Valley City State University in North Dakota.
Garrow is looking forward to watching Budd step into the starting role, saying that he got plenty of experience late in many games last year, and that his speed will add another dimension to the offense.
Sophomore Tyler Briscoe should also see a chunk of carries this season, as he’s someone who Garrow called a “naturally gifted athlete and runner.”
