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SBLive Washington is previewing the Top 50 high school football teams in the state ahead of the 2020-2021 season. Here's an inside look at the Bethel Braves of the 4A SPSL - No. 26 in our countdown.

Editor’s note: Bethel is in the Puget Sound Region of Washington’s COVID-19 reopening plan. The region moved to Phase 2 of the reopening plan on Feb. 1, which means moderate and high risk high school sports can return to competition.

2019 IN REVIEW

8-4 (second place in 3A PCL); lost to Kennewick in the 3A quarterfinals.

COACH'S RESUMÉ

  • Mark Iddins, seventh season.
  • Overall record: 39-25.
  • Coordinators (base scheme): Offense - Chris Dent (spread). Defense - Jared Terrible (3-3-5).

NOTABLE DEPARTURES

DL/OL Robert Cooper

DL Mekhi Frink

LB Davauntae Holden

ATH/DB Peter Latu

WR Cameron Parker

PK Cameron Schweyen

WR/DB Puka Sokimi

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 5. Defense - 5.

TOP PLAYERS

DB Krys Collins, 6-0, 175, sr.

DB/WR Noah Fasavalu, 6-1, 185, so.

LB/RB Oge Feo, 6-1, 220, sr.

WR/DB Melakai Garza, 5-11, 170, sr.

OL/DL Markus Grubbs, 5-11, 260, sr.

RB/LB Will Latu, 6-1, 230, sr.

WR/DB Prince Malo, 5-10, 170, so.

QB Kekoa Visperas, 6-0, 185, sr.

OL/DL Tray Williams, 6-3, 245, sr.

THREE TO SEE

Oge Feo, middle linebacker

Gained 15 pounds of muscle in offseason and turned himself into a hard-hitting locomotive. Stay off the track!

Will Latu, running back

You just couldn't keep the reigning 3A PCL offensive back of the year out of the end zone (19 TDs) in 2019.

Kekoa Visperas, quarterback

When all said and done this spring, this EWU signee might be looked at as a top-three quarterback statewide.

2021 OUTLOOK

In a loaded PCL with Lakes and Lincoln, Bethel had been knocking on the door in breaking out as a statewide threat - and did in 2019, winning a state playoff game for the first time since 2004 before being upended by Kennewick.

Now the Braves are up in an even-better league (4A SPSL) - but in the same role as before: Scary second-tier threat.

What really places them behind the likes of Graham-Kapowsin and Puyallup - both preseason top-10 programs in 4A - is the depth on both lines. Bethel will be starting three sophomores on the offensive line, but does bring back the left side in guard Markus Grubbs and tackle Tray Williams.

When it comes to offensive skill-position talent - especially in the backfield - a case can be made that the Braves boast the best firepower, led by second-year signal caller Kekoa Visperas and running back Will Latu, a University of Washington signee.

"We can match up as well as anybody," coach Mark Iddins said.

Visperas has been one of the breakout stars at offseason passing competitions, finishing second behind UW signee Sam Huard at the Northwest 9 Showcase last fall. He is the real leader of the offense. Iddins calls the dual threat QB a "game-changer."

"We go as he goes," Iddins said.

Latu, arguably the best power running back in the state, won't be the same workhorse as he was a junior. Part of that is due to Visperas' mastery of the passing offense. And the other part is that in a shortened season that will conclude just a few months before he heads off to college - why run him into the ground.

On defense, Bethel has a pass-rushing a trio of pass rushers in Williams, Elijah Sanders and Kane Johnson, both juniors; as good of a middle linebacker as you are going to find in Oge Feo; and an emerging star in sophomore Noah Fasavalu, who already holds FBS offers. He plays both safety spots.

"We have never had much depth," Iddins said, "so staying healthy is going to be huge."

COVID-19 IMPACT

"Player turnover wasn't affected, but the young kids only fell further behind. Kids are out of football and lifting shape, and it will take months to get that back. The young kids were hurt the most as our freshmen have not played football in two years." - Mark Iddins

2020-21 SCHEDULE - BETHEL TEAM PAGE

  • Feb. 12 at Rogers of Puyallup
  • Feb. 19 vs. Puyallup
  • Feb. 26 at Peninsula
  • March 5 at Graham-Kapowsin
  • March 13 vs. Sumner
  • March 18 at Bellarmine Prep
  • March 24 vs. Gig Harbor