Week 5 football power rankings: Mount Tahoma cracks top 10, Curtis continues to rise
The high school football season is underway in the South Sound and across Washington state. The News Tribune’s high school sports team is ranking the top teams in the South Sound again this fall.
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 throughout the season, 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 others teams in the league because of a more difficult nonleague schedule? We’ll consider that, too.
Here’s the Top 10 ahead of Week 5.
THE TOP 10
1. Yelm (4-0) — After being held to eight points in Week 1 win over Camas, Tornados have ripped off three straight blowout wins, averaging 59 points per game during that stretch. And welcome back, Brayden Platt — the state’s top-ranked recruit has been working back from an injury and scored three TDs in last week’s win over River Ridge.
2. Graham-Kapowsin (4-0) — Eagles have posted four consecutive double-digit victories over Rogers, Puyallup, Olympia and Bellarmine Prep, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 153-36. Graham-Kapowsin offense is averaging 406.8 yards per game and has scored 20 total TDs, led by QB Daveon Superales (108-of-142 passing, 1,146 yards, 16 TDs). Key 4A SPSL matchup with defending league champion Sumner ahead this week.
3. Curtis (4-0) — QB Rocco Koch (53-of-65 passing, 918 yards, 13 TDs; 96 carries, 670 yards, nine TDs) has paced 4A SPSL title contender to four convincing wins, including another statement win over Emerald Ridge (50-34) last week. Vikings travel to Bellarmine Prep this week before hosting Graham-Kapowsin in Week 6.
4. Emerald Ridge (3-1) — Jaguars opened the season 3-0 with double-digit wins over Puyallup, Olympia and Sumner before a 50-34 loss to Curtis on the road last week. QB Jake Schakel (68-of-102 passing, 1,123 yards, 14 TDs) and WRs Tony Harste (24 catches, 536 yards, four TDs) and Gio Kafentzis (18 catches, 306 yards, five TDs) lead Emerald Ridge’s offense through the air, while RB Navarre Dixon (74 carries, 480 yards, five TDs) is averaging 100-plus yards per contest.
5. Kennedy Catholic (3-1) — Defending 4A NPSL champions opened league play with a pair of convincing wins over Kentwood (49-6) and Decatur (30-6) the past two weeks. QB Devon Forehand (62-of-104 passing, 1,032 yards, 12 TDs) leads an offense that is averaging 407 yards per game. RB Indiana Jones has collected a team-leading 531 all-purpose yards and eight total TDs — including five rushing, three receiving and one interception return.
6. Sumner (2-2) — Spartans evened their record with a rivalry win over Puyallup (35-30) last week following losses to league contenders Curtis (38-33) and Emerald Ridge (42-28). Sumner offense is averaging 437 yards per game and has scored 19 TDs, but defending 4A SPSL champions will be without reigning league MVP Matthew Spurbeck (knee) the rest of the way.
7. Enumclaw (4-0) — Hornets look the part of a 2A state title contender behind QB Gunnar Trachte, top WR target Karson Holt and a stable of capable running backs who are all finding success behind a good line.
8. Tumwater (4-0) — T-Birds have outscored opponents 192 to 29 so far this season. A Week 5 matchup with reigning league champion W.F. West might be the only time Tumwater is tested in 2A EvCo play. QB Ethan Kastner has been efficient when called upon in passing game, throwing for 10 TDs on 23-of-35 passing.
9. Puyallup (1-3) — Vikings have had a brutal schedule, already playing Emerald Ridge, Graham-Kapowsin and Sumner. WRs Nick Neil and Kyson Douglas have shown big-play ability. There are some wins to be had in the second half of the season for Puyallup, which can be a playoff team in the deep 4A SPSL.
10. Mount Tahoma (2-2) — Signature win over Lincoln was first T-Birds win over the Abes in over a decade. RB Brison Bailey continues to have a strong season and QB Tre Walker has made plenty of plays since taking over as the starter. This week’s matchup against Bonney Lake will have league title implications.
THE NEXT FIVE
Lincoln (1-3), Gig Harbor (3-1), Bonney Lake (3-1), Timberline (3-1), Tahoma (2-2)
