Decatur football prepares to follow up historic 2024 season

The talk of the football town last season was the Decatur Gators and their ability to make history — and not only win the school’s first league title, but win a state playoff game for the first time in school history.

Decatur went 9-0 in the regular season last year, capturing their first league title. It was a truly historical achievement for head coach Matt Vaeena, who is now in his sixth season at the helm for Decatur.

This season, there is a big turnover — no more Spencer Holloway, no more Nehemiah Washington and no more Maddox Heyliger. But there is a strong core, led by Jassoni Prum, Idris Heyliger and Michael Havili, who are ready to steer the ship.

“The feeling is definitely different. We have been trying to figure out who is going to be the voice and who are going to be the guys who step out and be leaders. That is starting to take more shape, which is good to see,” Vaeena said.

Chemistry for Decatur is not in question. This group has been together for a significant amount of time and has developed a taste for winning.

“Chemistry is built in the weight room. There is a power in shared struggle. Which obviously the weight room and conditioning has that. There is a transition to ‘I’m the guy,’ but something they learned from previous classes is, the idea and concept of chemistry mattering is a real thing. They have actively been talking about that more often,” Vaeena said.

Outside of last season, there have never been high expectations like this for any Decatur football team. They are in uncharted territory, which undoubtedly carries pressure, but for a team that has faced as much adversity as these Gators, they are ready to take the pressure head on.

“We feel pressure, but we have felt it the last two years. We love it though. It’s not like it is bad pressure. We love the competitiveness, the intensity in games, love to talk and love to hit,” Jassoni Prum said.

“There is definitely pressure, but I love it though. We need that pressure, because you know what they say, ‘Pressure makes diamonds,’” Idris Heyliger said.

For the first time in four years, Decatur has a new playcaller, sophomore Antoine Williams Jr. Holloway was listed at 5’10” (generous), but Williams is listed at 6’6” — and that is quite the difference for offensive coordinator Clark Colvin.

From a pass catcher’s perspective, Heyliger is excited to see what the young quarterback has to offer and even took it upon himself to work one-on-one with him over the summer.

“He has a great deep ball. It is on the money every time. What he can work on is his short and intermediate route. I’ll be honest because I love my quarterback,” Heyliger said.

Decatur’s defense was the focal point of success last season. Over all 11 games, only three teams scored over 20 points. This year, the defense is ready to go and is led by Prum, who will be a factor at all levels.

Decatur pass rushers work on their moves at practice. Ben Ray / The Reporter

This year, Vaeena said around 20 freshmen came out to the first day of fall camp, the most he can remember. Vaeena has built a foundation that attracts players to a system they want to play for, which has been a long time coming.

“It has been a work in progress and honestly we didn’t know how big of a project it was. As we get closer and things start to come together, the thought of 20 freshmen blows my mind. I think about them and what they can be based on the progress the kids of the last couple groups have made,” Vaeena said.

“Building something sustainable has always been the goal and now we are closer and closer to that point.”

Along with Williams, who transferred from Garfield, Decatur also has some additions from Todd Beamer High School. Senior Matthew Chepurchenko (nicknamed Drago) and fellow senior Niko Shreffler are additional weapons on offense, but Chepurchenko’s presence on defense is something to look out for.

“Matthew is a strap. He’s a great safety on defense. He’s probably one of our best players on defense. Niko is a great kid and fits in well. He came here and was coachable and being a sponge,” Heyliger said.

Decatur’s success over the past couple of seasons is much due in part to the offensive and defensive line play. This year Decatur has a new defensive line coach, Clarence Robinson, who comes to Decatur from Auburn Riverside.

“He has a lot of the same qualities and traits that make Uso (Olive) a very great defensive line coach,” Vaeena said.

Olive, a Federal Way High alum, is taking the year off from coaching this season.

Robinson brings an edge to the Decatur defense along with defensive coordinator Evan Cook.

“Rob is a lot more technical with his approach. With Uso we also taught technique, but Rob is very, very detailed and focuses on that. It’s a different take for the kids, but it’s a great thing for them,” Vaeena said.

Decatur opens up their 2025 season with Enumclaw on Sept. 4, just like last season, and they are ready for that challenge, which has an additional element this season. They hit the road and head southeast, to Pete’s Pool.