SBLive's preseason Power 50 Washington high school football rankings: Eastside Catholic takes top spot
With the fall football season set to kick off next week, here is SBLive WA's preseason, all-classification Power 50 rankings:
* PRESEASON CLASS 4A TOP 10 RANKINGS
* PRESEASON CLASS 3A TOP 10 RANKINGS
* PRESEASON CLASS 2A TOP 10 RANKINGS
* PRESEASON CLASS 1A TOP 10 RANKINGS
* PRESEASON CLASS 2B TOP 10 RANKINGS
* PRESEASON CLASS 1B TOP 10 RANKINGS
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Photo by Todd Milles
1. EASTSIDE CATHOLIC CRUSADERS (3A)
Good luck trying to score on the Crusaders, who boast arguably state’s best defense with stars at all levels.
2. YELM TORNADOS (3A)
Defending Class 3A champions have top two-way player in the state in Brayden Platt and plenty of other returning talent.
3. O'DEA FIGHTING IRISH (3A)
RB Jason Brown Jr. is as good as they come, and is set to lead Fighting Irish to deep playoff run once more.
4. GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN EAGLES (4A)
Eagles primed to fly high this season with a plethora of offensive weapons at QB Daveon Superales’ disposal.
5. BELLEVUE WOLVERINES (3A)
Game plan this year should be no different - run the ball, run it again and pound defenses behind big offensive line.
6. LAKE STEVENS VIKINGS (4A)
Firepower still there for Class 4A champions with dual-threat QB Kolton Matson and RB Jayshon Limar headlining attack.
7. LYNDEN LIONS (2A)
'Air Lynden?' Lions will likely be more aggressive downfield with junior QB Brant Heppner entering second year as starter.
8. EMERALD RIDGE JAGUARS (4A)
After breaking through for Class 4A semifinal run a year ago, EWU commit Jake Schakel aiming to take it two steps further.
9. KENNEWICK LIONS (3A)
About as tough as they come - from either side of the mountains. And Lions' skill-position talent growing up quickly.
10. SKYVIEW STORM (4A)
Top team in Vancouver primed for big things in 2023 behind exciting QB Jake Kennedy, RB Trey Jacob and WR Gavin Packer.
11. KAMIAKIN BRAVES (4A)
Bringing back 17 returning starters - including the entire offensive line - with the skill players to be a headache for any opponent.
12. KENNEDY CATHOLIC LANCERS (4A)
A lot is different with this year’s team, but most important position hasn’t changed - QB Devon Forehand ready to roll.
13. SUMNER SPARTANS (4A)
With reigning 4A SPSL MVP Matthew Spurbeck in backfield again, Spartans always knocking on the door for a big play.
14. STANWOOD SPARTANS (3A)
Not consensus 3A Wesco favorite, but Spartans' recent state-playoff success, and overall program depth too much to dismiss.
15. GARFIELD BULLDOGS (3A)
Cal commit EJ Caminong has star talent to throw to with transfer Rahshawn Clark and Reggie Witherspoon III at receiver.
16. MOUNT SI WILDCATS (4A)
Playmaking RB Beau Phillips most exciting player in 4A KingCo, and Wildcats ready to put off year behind them.
17. CHIAWANA RIVERHAWKS (4A)
What’s not to like about defending MCC champions with QB DJ Duran back as well as nearly the entire defense from 2022?
18. NORTH KITSAP VIKINGS (2A)
Is this the breakthrough title-winning season? Nine offensive starters are back from last year’s state runner-up squad.
18. ANACORTES SEAHAWKS (2A)
Experienced all-around now, Seahawks looking to make this their year - not just in tough league, but entire classification.
20. BOTHELL COUGARS (4A)
Transfer QB Jaylen Viars is looking to get 'Blue Train' passing attack back on track - and productive offseason a good sign.
21. CURTIS VIKINGS (4A)
Dynamic dual-threat Rocco Koch and company aren't young up-and-comers anymore. This is their year to make noise.
22. LAKES LANCERS (3A)
How will post-Leo Pulalasi era fare? Having QB Legend Galeai back with a year of experience behind him is good start.
23. ENUMCLAW HORNETS (2A)
QB Gunnar Trachte has the arm and legs to spark 2A SPSL champions to another state semifinal run - or beyond.
24. CAMAS PAPERMAKERS (4A)
With all eyes in 4A GSHL on Skyview, Camas comes in with little fanfare. But, c'mon - Papermakers win big games.
25. MONROE BEARCATS (3A)
Clear favorites in 3A Wesco South, Bearcats thinking bigger goals behind QB Blake Springer, one of state's top arms.
26. LINCOLN OF TACOMA ABES (3A)
Huge piece graduated in QB Gabarri Johnson, but Abes look to have heir-apparent in poised ninth grader Sione Kaho.
27. RICHLAND BOMBERS (4A)
QB Josh Woodard thrived in first season as starter, and Bombers should continue to pile up points in MCC.
28. NORTH CREEK JAGUARS (4A)
When will state recognize this is pretty good program? And if WR Peyton Cunningham gets loose, watch out.
29. MOUNT SPOKANE WILDCATS (3A)
Experienced QB TJ Haberman and speedy WR Bode Gardner will lead way for favorite in Greater Spokane League.
30. RAINIER BEACH VIKINGS (3A)
Lost some big names, especially on offense, but sophomore ATHs Oteko Ewamba and Damari King will be fun to watch.
31. NOOKSACK VALLEY PIONEERS (1A)
No reason they shouldn't be playing on final day of season with nearly every starter returning, including RB Colton Lentz.
32. ARLINGTON EAGLES (3A)
Is there a more dangerous playmaker in 3A Wesco than ATH Jacoby Falor? Eagles return plenty to make league-title run.
33. EASTMONT WILDCATS (4A)
RB Gunnar Peterson reaps the benefits of run-heavy offense. and is on track to break school's career rushing record.
34. EVERGREEN OF VANCOUVER PLAINSMEN (3A)
On paper, best all-around team in Christian Swain era. Can OL Fox Crader and TE Arthur Ban lead team to great things?
35. ROYAL KNIGHTS (1A)
Top small-school program in better shape now than a year ago, and is only reigning three-time champion on this list.
36. FERNDALE GOLDEN EAGLES (3A)
Might have to get creative in replacing RB Isaiah Carlson's production - like get the ball in hands of ATH Conner Walcker.
37. EASTLAKE WOLVES (4A)
Hard to project what Scott Hare's first year will look like. Wolves have talent, especially big-play WR Grady Woodward.
38. PUYALLUP VIKINGS (4A)
Some might say reloading Viks are year away from challenging in 4A SPSL again - but this group feels otherwise.
39. GLACIER PEAK GRIZZLIES (4A)
After waiting his turn, RB Chrisvin Bonshe hoping to break out and carry Grizzlies in year few expect them to be factors.
40. AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS (3A)
LB Jonathan Epperson already a force on defense, but his role will expand to being moving piece on offense.
41. TIMBERLINE BLAZERS (3A)
Defense will be Blazers’ strength, thanks to LB Darrell Gipson’s ability to find way in backfield and ruin an offense.
42. MOSES LAKE MAVERICKS (4A)
With sophomore QB Brady Jay and explosive ATH Kyson Thomas leading offense, Mavericks should score at will.
43. MOUNTAIN VIEW THUNDER (3A)
Another new face (Aaron Hart) leading a contender, but Thunder has big enough returning senior class to win 3A GSHL.
44. SKYLINE SPARTANS (4A)
If there's one coach who can get QB Michael Grimmer to reach next level for 4A KingCo champions, it's Steve Gervais.
45. PENINSULA SEAHAWKS (3A)
Obliterated by injury bug in 2022, and yet Seahawks reached Class 3A playoffs - a sign this program knows how to succeed.
46. GONZAGA PREP BULLPUPS (4A)
Even though they lost every key offensive starter, Bullpups' tradition enough to receive 4A GSHL favorite nod.
47. BETHEL BISON (4A)
Rangy and nasty in defensive front seven, led by LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Bison a true wild-card team in 4A SPSL.
48. MOUNT TAHOMA THUNDERBIRDS (3A)
Stockpiled talent for this fall season, led by OL Marquise Thorpe-Taylor, a UCLA commit. Very intriguing 3A PCL team.
49. SEATTLE PREP PANTHERS (3A)
OL Chris Lino will lead things up front, and WR Drew Velling (knee) returning after missing all of 2022 should be big boost.
50. NAPAVINE TIGERS (2B)
A Class 2B school? Tigers dominated their classification a year ago, and defend state title with very little turnover.
