Week 5 football power rankings: 4A SPSL havoc causes top five shakeup
Four weeks of high school football across the South Sound are in the books.
This season, The News Tribune’s high school sports team is ranking the top teams in the area. Teams from every classification are considered for the Top 10 list, which will be updated throughout the season.
We’ll consider a variety of factors when adjusting rankings, not just wins and losses. Did a team lose because their star quarterback was hurt and didn’t play? Maybe they won’t slide. Is a team lower in the standings than other teams in the league because of a more difficult nonleague schedule? We’ll consider that, too.
Rankings will be updated every two weeks during the regular season.
Here’s the Top 10 ahead of Week 5:
THE TOP 10
1. Yelm (4-0) — The Tornados have done nothing to lose the top spot in this week’s power rankings, posting blowout wins in 3A SSC play against Central Kitsap and River Ridge. Plenty of praise goes deservedly to offensive weapons Brayden Platt and Kyler Ronquillo, but the defense has also been as good as advertised, led by linebacker Ray Wright. Previous ranking: 1.
2. Emerald Ridge (3-1) — The Jaguars have responded to their season-opening loss to Puyallup by rattling of three consecutive wins, including a statement win over perennial 4A SPSL power Sumner (28-18) and rout of Curtis (42-13) the past two weeks. Quarterback Jake Schakel and leading receivers Gio Kafentzis and Tony Harste have the Jaguars’ offense rolling. Previous ranking: 5.
3. Sumner (3-1) — After needing second-half comebacks to win their first two games, the Spartans dropped a 28-18 loss to Emerald Ridge in Week 3. Their response? Ending Puyallup’s early undefeated run with a dominant 40-10 win last week to shake up the 4A SPSL standings. Sumner will look to keep that momentum on the road this week against three-time defending league champion Graham-Kapowsin. Previous ranking: 2.
4. Puyallup (3-1) — The Vikings were the only remaining undefeated team in the 4A SPSL entering Week 4, following early wins over Emerald Ridge (29-28), Graham-Kapowsin (30-13) and South Kitsap (28-7), but the 30-point loss to Sumner ensures no 4A SPSL program will finish the league season undefeated for the first time since it expanded to its current configuration in 2016. Puyallup will look to bounce back against crosstown rival Rogers. Previous ranking: 3.
5. Graham-Kapowsin (3-1) — Graham-Kapowsin regrouped with back-to-back road wins over Olympia (28-17) and Bellarmine Prep (23-0) after the loss to Puyallup. The Eagles collected 350-plus yards of offense in both victories to get back on track. A meeting with another perennial 4A SPSL power in Sumner looms this weekend. Previous ranking: 4.
6. Lincoln (4-0) — The Abes got 3A PCL play started last week with a 35-21 win over Mount Tahoma, following up on a perfect run through nonleague play, punctuated by a 42-28 win over 4A GSHL power Camas. No one’s had an answer yet for Lincoln’s one-two punch in the running game, led by quarterback Gabarri Johnson, a Missouri commit, and running back Navarre Dixon. Previous ranking: 6.
7. Kennedy Catholic (3-1) — Following a season-opening loss to Eastside Catholic, the Lancers have routed their next three opponents. Convincing wins over Kentwood (44-13) and Decatur (52-0) the past two weeks to open league play have the Lancers set up for a meeting with Federal Way this week that could eventually decide the 4A NPSL title. Kennedy Catholic hasn’t lost a league game since 2018, and has won the past three league championships. Previous ranking: 7.
8. Lakes (3-0) — The Lancers have yet to be truly tested, coasting to a 53-7 win over Stadium last week and posting a 33-14 win over Bonney Lake the week before. Count on Ki’Marre Washington, Leo Pulalasi and David Wells to be key contributors for the Lancers each week. Freshman quarterback Legend Galeai is looking more comfortable each outing. Previous ranking: 9.
9. Tumwater (4-0) — The T-Birds have shown the ability to win defensive battles, as evidenced by an 8-6 win over 2A state contender North Kitsap in Week 2. They’ve also shown the ability to point up points, beating Kelso 38-19 in Week 3 and Centralia last week, 56-7. Previous ranking: 10.
10. Spanaway Lake (3-1) — The Sentinels have yet to dominate in any game this season, but wins are wins, and Spanaway Lake is 2-0 in 3A PCL play following wins over Mount Tahoma (20-14) and Bonney Lake (31-23). Sophomore running back D’Aryhian Clemons and Oklahoma commit Jasiah Wagoner have the big-play ability to keep the Sentinels piling up victories. Previous ranking: 9.
THE NEXT FIVE
Enumclaw, Eatonville, Peninsula, Curtis, Federal Way
PREVIOUS RANKINGS
