Sean Banks does what he can not to linger on past performances, even with the many “would’ve, should’ve or could’ve” scenarios his South Kitsap Wolves encountered in his first season as football coach.
“Had we executed, maybe some of those outcomes could’ve been different. Until we learn not to lose, we’re not gonna win,” he said recently.
His words were straightforward to a problem that South Kitsap has sought to fix for a decade: the ability to win games.
The Wolves’ last winning season was in 2012 as a member of the 4A Narrows League. The last time any team has won three games or more was 2014, and the only 4A South Puget Sound League opponent to fall to the Wolves since they joined the league has been Rogers of Puyallup.
Banks’ first year was more of the same, a 2-8 record. While there were moments for the Wolves faithful to be optimistic about for the years to come, Banks said he wants the true victories to show up in the win column. “We’re at the bottom of the basement,” he said. “People don’t respect us, and they shouldn’t until we win. We’re here to win, and our kids understand that. Last year was my fault, and I’ve got to coach better.”
To get those wins, the Wolves will have to adjust quickly to compete in a reformatted SPSL. The league’s expansion influenced by the WIAA’s most recent reclassification put South Kitsap into the six-team SPSL 4A North division with Rogers, Sumner, Puyallup, Emerald Ridge and Curtis. The six teams making up the South include Olympia, Bethel, Graham Kapowsin and the three newest additions of Spanaway Lake, Bonney Lake and Yelm.
The Wolves will face all of its North division opponents along with games against Kentridge, Mount Rainier and Central Kitsap.
As for which games will be key, Banks said: “We don’t have a game of the year. We don’t have rivals right now. Not until we start winning.”
Some familiar faces from last season could push the needle in the right direction. Franklin Fox, a now-junior who took over at quarterback mid-year, is expected to start. “He’s earned the job,” Banks said. “Franklin is freaking tough, a great leader, competitive, smart. It’s all his job right now.”
Banks also retains another crucial offensive weapon in senior running back Brycen Clay.
And then there’s the program’s true diamond in the rough. Josaiah Asuega may have started as a linebacker and even played some tight end, but his biggest impact in his junior year came on the defensive line. His performance and gamesmanship have since catapulted him to the top of some college’s interest lists in recent months.
Beyond his impressive numbers—6 foot 4, 290 pounds, 80-inch wingspan, 5.1 seconds in the 40 – is the glowing review of national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins, who called Asuega “an intriguing late bloomer” in his May 2 evaluation on 24/7 Sports.
“He’s still raw and learning from a technical standpoint but is a naturally strong kid, quick off the ball and has the motor you love to see in a young lineman. When you look at his frame combined with his natural athleticism, he has a very big upside and should be recruited at the high Power 4 level,” Biggins said.
The three-star recruit has already attracted the attention and offer of NCAA DI Montana, which powered its way to the FCS title game last season.
Banks will utilize Asuega’s skills at offensive tackle as well. Asuega’s coach went so far as to call him the most underrated prospect in the state.
“There’s a lot more eyes on me now,” Asuega said. “The standards and expectations are high, and I feel like I make a good asset to the program.”
He also was thankful for the efforts of Banks, saying the Wolves’ coach is building the culture and discipline coaches at any level look for. “I know we haven’t won a lot of games in the past. That doesn’t stop me from believing we can be here,” he said.
