Week 7 football power rankings: Enumclaw cracks into Top 10 for first time this season
Six 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 7:
THE TOP 10
1. Yelm (6-0) — Tornados have outscored their four league opponents, 260-7, pitching shutouts in three of the games, including a 71-0 beatdown of Capital on Friday night. Junior Brayden Platt is up to 17 rushing touchdowns (18 total TDs) and is averaging 14.9 yards per carry. Ten Tornados’ players have scored offensive touchdowns this season. Previous ranking: 1.
2. Emerald Ridge (5-1) — Jaguars have won comfortably the past two weeks, beating South Kitsap, 42-13, and Bethel, 28-7. Junior quarterback Jake Schakel (1,510 passing yards, 19 TDs, five INTs) has been one of the area’s most accurate QBs, completing 74 percent of his passes. Receiver Gio Kafentzis (691 receiving yards, eight TDs) is averaging nearly 20 yards per catch. Five Emerald Ridge players have 100 or more receiving yards. Previous ranking: 2.
3. Sumner (5-1) — Spartans regrouped from a 10-point loss to Emerald Ridge in Week 3 by rattling off three consecutive wins. They added a signature victory in Week 5, edging three-time defending 4A SPSL champion Graham-Kapowsin, 34-31, for their first win over the Eagles since 2016. Sumner routed Puyallup (40-10) in Week 4 and Rogers (54-3) last week. Previous ranking: 3.
4. Puyallup (5-1) — The only blemish so far has been a loss to rival Sumner. Puyallup blanked rival Rogers, 40-0, before winning a close game against Olympia last week, 29-24. Junior Malachi Durant (563 receiving yards, seven TDs) has been one of the league’s best receivers. Defensive back Wyatt Gordon has been a menace around the line of scrimmage, in the opponents’ backfield and in coverage for the Vikings. Previous ranking: 4.
5. Graham-Kapowsin (4-2) — Eagles won a close one against an improved Curtis Vikings team last week, 24-19. Graham-Kapowsin’s secondary continues to be the strength of Eagles team. Quarterback Daveon Superales continues to improve and has a growing rapport with junior receiver Jabez Woods. Previous ranking: 5.
6. Lincoln (6-0) — The defending 3A PCL champions have bested each of their first three league opponents by at least two possessions, including wins over Bonney Lake (43-32) and Stadium (49-6) the past two weeks. Missouri commit Gabarri Johnson has thrown for 15 touchdowns this and rushed for nine more to pace the Abes offense through six games. Meetings with 3A PCL powers Lakes and Spanaway Lake are still ahead. Previous ranking: 6.
7. Kennedy Catholic (5-1) — The Lancers are 4-0 in 4A NPSL play, have outscored their league opponents, 192-35, and are in good position to secure a fourth consecutive league title after routing Federal Way (40-8) and Kentridge (56-14) the past two weeks. A matchup with reigning 3A NPSL champion is ahead this week. Previous ranking: 7.
8. Lakes (5-0) — The Lancers remain undefeated following two more comfortable wins over 3A PCL opponent Silas (70-28) and 4A GSHL program Battle Ground (52-7) the past two weeks. Lakes seniors Leo Pulalasi (BYU commit), Ki’Marree Washington and David Wells (Oregon State commit) have combined for 2,209 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns through five games. A big test against Spanaway Lake looms this weekend. Previous ranking: 8.
9. Enumclaw (6-0) — For the first time this season, undefeated Enumclaw cracks into our all-classification Top 10. Hornets have run roughshod over the 2A SPSL, beating Steilacoom (56-13) and Franklin Pierce (51-12) the past two weeks. Junior quarterback Gunnar Trachte (1,021 passing yards, 16 TDs, two INTs) is utilizing all his weapons, notably Karson Holt (328 receiving yards, seven TDs) and Austin Paulson (271 receiving yards, four TDs). Running back Emmit Otero (694 rushing yards, 11 TDs) is averaging over 100 yards per game behind a hulking offensive line. Previous ranking: Unranked.
10. Spanaway Lake (5-1) — The Sentinels have won five consecutive games following their season-opening shut out loss to Gig Harbor. Spanaway Lake added routs of Stadium (42-0) and Silas (48-28) the past two weeks while missing Oklahoma commit Jasiah Wagoner to remain undefeated in 3A PCL play. Sophomore D’Aryhian Clemons is averaging 123.2 rushing yards per game and has seven touchdowns. A meeting with 3A PCL power Lakes awaits this weekend. Previous ranking: 10.
THE NEXT FIVE
Tumwater (5-1), Peninsula (5-1), Curtis (3-3), Eatonville (5-1), Federal Way (4-2)
PREVIOUS RANKINGS
