Federal Way High School football has plenty of new faces, including new players taking over roles last held by seniors who made an impact at Federal Way.

This year’s crop of Eagles hold a different type of excitement for Head Coach Marcus Yzaguirre. Federal Way has always had a knack for developing skill players, from Chico McClatcher (UW), Dre Jordan (Oregon State, UCLA) and Jaylon Jenkins (EWU), to name a few.

“I think it speaks to the fact that kids always know we are going to be in the mix. They know they are going to be taken care of and learn the game the right way. They gotta be student athletes, there is an expectation. The kids that do those things go on and continue their career,” Yzaguirre said.

But this season, the Eagles have developed depth along the offensive and defensive line — something that hasn’t happened for Yzaguirre in his time at the helm of Federal Way.

“I am just excited because we have some depth finally. We started two freshmen on the o-line who are back. They got introduced to football real early and now they are back. We have some young guys and veterans,” said Yzaguirre.

Players like senior Kevin Ramsey, who has an offer from Montana Tech (Butte, NAIA), have really come on as a stalwart along the offensive line. Ramsey transitioned to center this season from right tackle and has found his groove.

“That big of a change put me in a position where it forced me to grow a little bit. Iz helped me to see that I even have a future in football,” Ramsey said.

To take steps forward, especially with such newness and youth, the Eagles really put an emphasis continuity between the groups.

“We developed with our maturity. We have come together and become one unit rather than a bunch of broken parts. Our line was okay last year, but I think we have a real good look up front this year,” Ramsey said.

It’s not like Federal Way doesn’t have skill players either. Yzaguirre is quick to point out that last year, Federal Way had four football players take second in the 4×100 meter relay at the state championship track meet.

Eastern Washington University commit Zamarie Tellez headlines the offense and defense as one of Federal Way’s best all-around players this season and in recent memory. Tellez is one of two returning all-state defensive backs — only Mount Tahoma’s Elijah Durr also returned from that group.

“I just wanted to make sure I was here every day and making sure I am the leader I know I am. Make sure that I am holding myself to a higher standard. I want to set the tone and let the younger dudes know there is a standard to be a Federal Way football player,” Tellez said.

Tellez has been highly regarded since his freshman season. Yzaguirre knew from essentially the first week of camp four years ago that Tellez was going to be a special player. He has lived up to that expectation and set the standard for Federal Way on and off the field.

Michael Strickler and Kevin Ramsey duel during one-on-ones. Ben Ray / The Mirror

“I started him as a freshman and when he committed to Eastern over the summer, he was the last player in that secondary to commit to play Division One football. He learned from them, watching how they do things and the expectations. He slowly but surely became vocal and was voted team captain,” Yzaguirre said.

“The biggest part of his growth is him advocating for his teammates. Advocating for the team and things he would like to see. I am with it. As long as you do the things I am asking you to do, there is always room for a voice,” Yzaguirre said.

Over the summer, Tellez led summer workouts from the front. On a bad day, the Eagles had 50 players show up to work out in the weight room.

“During the summer we had crazy people in the weight room. You can see the development through everybody and their bodies and the way they are moving,” Tellez said.

With Andy Cortez graduating, there is a quarterback battle brewing between seniors Anthony Marchetti and Jacob Yan. Marchetti is on his third high school of his career, going from Auburn Riverside in 2023, to Sumner in 2024, and now Federal Way.

“They both have stepped their game up. They have actually been helping each other and coaching each other up. They are really pushing each other and pushing the limits. As if anything at that position, there is a lot to get better at, but they have done a good job pushing each other to get better every rep,” Yzaguirre said.

Yan on the other hand has been on the Eagles’ roster every year of his high school career, and now in his senior year finds himself in the midst of another quarterback battle.

“I think it is getting real close. I don’t know what the coaches are thinking, but I think whoever ends up in that spot will make the most of it,” Ramsey said.

Marchetti and Yan are battling each other, rep in and rep out. Seemingly when one makes a good throw, the next quarterback makes a better throw.

“Anthony just got here, he is trying to pick up his plays to make sure he knows what he’s doing with the offense. Jacob has been balling, he knows what he’s doing and been here stepping up. Anthony is a bigger guy, but Jacob knows what he’s doing. Jacob is making the right reads, pulls and throws,” Tellez said. “They both are two very good quarterbacks, I wouldn’t mind either of them starting.”

Miles Fuavai makes a one-handed interception during practice. Ben Ray / The Mirror

Tellez is not the only weapon the pair of quarterbacks throw to. Senior Jayden Sinclair will be on one side and Miles Fuavai will be in the slot — well maybe in the slot, maybe out wide, line up as a running back or even take snaps at quarterback. Fuavai can do it all, and make eye-catching plays all over the field.

“He’s got crazy, sneaky speed and catches everything and does the same thing on both sides of the ball. He can hit. Miles is something you need on the team, real talk,” Tellez said.

This year is not different in terms of the linebacking corps for the Eagles. Jojo Fuavai was a defensive lineman last season and transformed his body to become a linebacker for the Eagles. Kaizen Carter, De’Nali Faletogo, Jeremiah Harrison-Overton and Fuavai give Yzaguirre quite a bit of depth at linebacker.

“That has been a group I am super excited about. … We have created some good depth there,” Yzaguirre said.

The Eagles open up their 2025 season with back-to-back home games against Auburn Mountainview (Sept. 9) and Decatur (Sept. 12).