High School Sports

Week 9 high school football power rankings: Here comes Graham-Kapowsin

By Jon Manley and Lauren Smith
The News Tribune’s all-classification high school football power rankings, as chosen by TNT sports reporters.
The News Tribune’s all-classification high school football power rankings, as chosen by TNT sports reporters. Hrisanthi Pickett McClatchy

Eight 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 9:

THE TOP 10

Yelm quarterback Damian Aalona holds off Peninsula linebacker Jones Stalker before tossing a touchdown pass to Kyler Ronquillo during Friday night’s football game at Roy Anderson Field in Purdy, Washington, on Oct. 21, 2022.
Yelm quarterback Damian Aalona holds off Peninsula linebacker Jones Stalker before tossing a touchdown pass to Kyler Ronquillo during Friday night’s football game at Roy Anderson Field in Purdy, Washington, on Oct. 21, 2022. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com


1. Yelm (8-0) — We wondered a couple weeks ago whether Yelm would be tested against Timberline and Peninsula. The answer? No. The Tornados rolled in both games, beating Timberline 56-14 and Peninsula 58-14. Even more impressively, the win over Peninsula came without four-star recruit Brayden Platt. Kyler Ronquillo moved into the backfield and does a bit of everything for the Tornados, who are now outscoring opponents 461 to 55 this season. Previous ranking: 1.

Sumner defensive back Jay Mentink runs back an interception thrown by Emerald Ridge quarterback Jake Schakel during the third quarter of a 4A SPSL game on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner, Wash.
Sumner defensive back Jay Mentink runs back an interception thrown by Emerald Ridge quarterback Jake Schakel during the third quarter of a 4A SPSL game on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner, Wash. Pete Caster Pete Caster / The News Tribune

2. Sumner (7-1) — Since simplifying things after a Week 3 loss to Emerald Ridge, Sumner has gone undefeated, collecting wins over Olympia and Bethel the past two weeks. Running back Matthew Spurbeck (1,341 yards, 11 TD) is a one-man wrecking crew and has been one of the state’s most productive running backs this fall. Previous ranking: 3.

Graham-Kapowsin quaterback Daveon Superales tries to scramble away from Curtis linebacker Kane Able during Saturday’s football game at Art Crate Field in Spanaway, Washington, Oct. 8, 2022. Graham-Kapowsin won the game, 24-19.
Graham-Kapowsin quaterback Daveon Superales tries to scramble away from Curtis linebacker Kane Able during Saturday’s football game at Art Crate Field in Spanaway, Washington, Oct. 8, 2022. Graham-Kapowsin won the game, 24-19. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com

3. Graham-Kapowsin (6-2) — Here come the Eagles. No team has shown more improvement from the beginning of the season. With young pieces everywhere, things are clicking at exactly the right time, evidenced by a 35-25 win over No. 2 Emerald Ridge last week. Vinicio Hansen and Caden Smith lead a loaded Eagles’ secondary. Previous ranking: 5.

Emerald Ridge varsity football players run onto the field before the start of the game against Curtis at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash. on Sept. 22, 2022.
Emerald Ridge varsity football players run onto the field before the start of the game against Curtis at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash. on Sept. 22, 2022. Cheyenne Boone Cheyenne Boone / The News Tribun

4. Emerald Ridge (6-2) — Disappointing loss to Graham-Kapowsin takes league title hopes off the table, but Jaguars still in good position to make some noise in the playoffs. Return of UW commit Jacob Lane (foot) for postseason figures to be a major boost for Emerald Ridge on both sides of the ball, particularly on the defensive line. Previous ranking: 2.

Lincoln kickoff returner Darke Granberry is chased down by Lakes defender E’lijian McChristian during Saturday afternoon’s football game at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022.
Lincoln kickoff returner Darke Granberry is chased down by Lakes defender E’lijian McChristian during Saturday afternoon’s football game at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com

5. Lincoln (8-0) — Abes’ offense keeps putting up big numbers week after week. Quarterback Gabarri Johnson, a Missouri commit, is decimating defenses as a runner and passer. Senior Drake Granberry has emerged as Johnson’s top receiving threat, collecting 227 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns in win over Lakes. Previous ranking: 6.

Kennedy Catholic linebacker Xe’Ree Alexander (24) and linebacker Thomas Bevilacqua (11) celebrate after defending against Auburn Riverside and stopping them from scoring a touchdown near the end zone in the fourth quarter of a game at Auburn Memorial Stadium in Auburn, Wash. on Oct. 6, 2022. Kennedy Catholic defeated Auburn Riverside 47-17.
Kennedy Catholic linebacker Xe’Ree Alexander (24) and linebacker Thomas Bevilacqua (11) celebrate after defending against Auburn Riverside and stopping them from scoring a touchdown near the end zone in the fourth quarter of a game at Auburn Memorial Stadium in Auburn, Wash. on Oct. 6, 2022. Kennedy Catholic defeated Auburn Riverside 47-17. Cheyenne Boone Cheyenne Boone / The News Tribun

6. Kennedy Catholic (7-1) — The defending 4A NPSL champions are one win away from a fourth consecutive undefeated league title after a 50-7 win over Tahoma last week. The Lancers also posted a convincing victory over defending 3A NPSL champion Auburn Riverside, 47-17, in Week 7. Previous ranking: 7.

Spanaway Lake quarterback Dempsy James scrambles through the Lakes secondary for a touchdown during the second quarter of a 3A PCL game on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood, Wash.
Spanaway Lake quarterback Dempsy James scrambles through the Lakes secondary for a touchdown during the second quarter of a 3A PCL game on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood, Wash. Pete Caster Pete Caster / The News Tribune

7. Spanaway Lake (6-1) — The Sentinels enter this week’s 3A PCL title matchup with Lincoln with a 5-0 league record after upending Lakes, 16-15, in the final seconds on a touchdown run from quarterback Dempsy James (557 passing yards, 388 rushing yards, 14 total TDs in six games) in Week 7. Spanaway Lake’s scheduled Week 8 game was canceled. Previous ranking: 10.

Puyallup wide receiver Mal Durant (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of a game at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash. on Oct. 6, 2022. Puyallup defeated Olympia 29-24.
Puyallup wide receiver Mal Durant (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of a game at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash. on Oct. 6, 2022. Puyallup defeated Olympia 29-24. Cheyenne Boone Cheyenne Boone / The News Tribun

8. Puyallup (6-2) — The Vikings posted a 17-6 road win over Bethel in Week 7, but dropped an upset loss to Bellarmine Prep, 13-12, last weekend in Tacoma. A tough matchup with Curtis is ahead in this weekend’s regular season finale. Previous ranking: 4.

Enumclaw’s Emmit Otero is lifted up by offensive lineman Ryan Fehr after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of 2A SPSL game against Fife on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at Fife High School in Fife, Wash.
Enumclaw’s Emmit Otero is lifted up by offensive lineman Ryan Fehr after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of 2A SPSL game against Fife on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at Fife High School in Fife, Wash. Pete Caster Pete Caster / The News Tribune

9. Enumclaw (8-0) — Enumclaw is one of three remaining undefeated teams across the state in 2A. The Hornets have outscored their opponents, 385-114, this season, and added routs of Orting (49-13) and Clover Park (70-7) the past two weeks. Enumclaw can close out an undefeated 2A SPSL championship run with a win over White River this weekend. Previous ranking: 9.

Lakes wide receiver David Wells Jr. stretche over over the goal line for his second touchdown reception in Saturday afternoon’s football game against the Lincoln Abes at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022.
Lakes wide receiver David Wells Jr. stretche over over the goal line for his second touchdown reception in Saturday afternoon’s football game against the Lincoln Abes at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com

10. Lakes (5-2) — The Lancers were undefeated heading into Week 7, but dropped consecutive losses to Spanaway Lake (16-15) and Lincoln (42-28) the past two weeks. Lakes will look to bounce back against Mount Tahoma in the regular season finale. Previous ranking: 8.

Curtis quarterback Rocco Koch scampers through a bevy of Graham-Kapowsin defenders during Saturday’s football game at Art Crate Field in Spanaway, Washington, Oct. 8, 2022. Graham-Kapowsin won the game, 24-19.
Curtis quarterback Rocco Koch scampers through a bevy of Graham-Kapowsin defenders during Saturday’s football game at Art Crate Field in Spanaway, Washington, Oct. 8, 2022. Graham-Kapowsin won the game, 24-19. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com

THE NEXT FIVE

Curtis (5-3), Tumwater (7-1), Eatonville (5-1), Peninsula (6-2), Federal Way (6-2)

PREVIOUS RANKINGS

Preseason | Week 3 | Week 5 | Week 7

Profile Image of Jon Manley
Jon Manley
The News Tribune
253-358-4151
Jon Manley covers high school sports for The News Tribune. A McClatchy President’s Award winner and Gonzaga University graduate, Manley has covered the South Sound sports scene since 2013. He was voted the Washington state sportswriter of the year in 2024 by the National Sports Media Association. Born and raised in Tacoma. Support my work with a digital subscription
Profile Image of Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith
The News Tribune
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Lauren Smith is a sports reporter at The News Tribune. She has covered high school sports for TNT and The Olympian, as well as the Seattle Mariners and Washington Huskies. She is a graduate of UW and Emerald Ridge High School.
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