The Enumclaw High football program has seen recently experienced the type of success that nearly all teams in Washington would envy. Fans will recall the Hornets advancing to the Final Four round of the state playoffs in both 2022 and 2023; then, after jumping to the Class 3A ranks last season, Mark Gunderson’s squad placed second in the North Puget Sound League and made its way to the 16-team playoffs.
Not many can match that level of gridiron success.
But that’s in the past. The Hornets suffered mightily due to graduation last spring and the EHS coaching staff is busily plugging holes in the starting lineup in anticipation of the Sept. 4 opener against Decatur High.
It’s a tough way to launch a new season, seeing as how the Gators handed Enumclaw it’s only league loss last fall on the way to the NPSL 3A title.
Gunderson, who has helmed the Hornet program since the fall of 2012, is honest in assessing the early stages of the 2025 campaign.
“It’s a reload,” he said.
That’s extraordinarily true on the defensive side of the ball, where all 11 starters on last year’s team graduated.
Things are a bit brighter on the offensive end, with senior quarterback Gavin Trachte back for a second season leading the squad. At the conclusion of last season he was honored as a second team, all-league selection.
“Gavin is ready for a breakout season,” Gunderson said.
It won’t hurt that he has two returning offensive linemen to offer protection. Nik Storem was a first team all-league pick a year ago and, during the summer, was named the top lineman at a Central Washington University camp. Manuel Guitron is a second senior expected to anchor the line.
When Trachte steps back into the pocket he’ll have some promising targets to throw to. Kage Kuro lines up at the tight end spot and Kolt Kuzaro looks to fill one of the outside spots. Others in the receiver mix include Jordan Quinones, Cam Donovan and Jason Feddema.
One aspect of the Hornets’ special teams is locked up. Kicker Brodix John is back for a sophomore season, having been named a co-first team selection as a freshman.
