Week 7 football power rankings: Graham-Kapowsin jumps into top spot
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 7.
THE TOP 10
1. Graham-Kapowsin (6-0) — Eagles are now alone at the top of the 4A SPSL standings after upending Curtis, 42-35, last week in a meeting of undefeated teams. QB Daveon Superales (146-of-195 passing, 1,554 yards, 21 TDs; 43 carries, 298 yards, two TDs) continues to impress as leader of Graham-Kapowsin’s electric offense. Eagles have South Kitsap, Emerald Ridge and Bethel ahead to close out regular season.
2. Yelm (6-0) — Tornados are averaging 50 points per game scoring and since an 8-7 road win over Camas in Week 1, have outscored opponents by an average of 46 points per game. RB Brayden Platt is seeing more action after an early-season injury; he rushed for 150 yards and three TDs last week.
3. Curtis (5-1) — Graham-Kapowsin handed the Vikings their first loss of the season last week, ending an impressive five-game winning stretch, but Curtis remains one of the South Sound’s top programs behind QB Rocco Koch (82-of-109 passing, 1,390 yards, 20 TDs; 128 carries, 890 yards, 13 TDs).
4. Emerald Ridge (5-1) — Jaguars rallied from first loss of season to Curtis with wins over South Kitsap (55-0) and Bethel (49-14) the past two weeks. QB Jake Schakel (95-of-135, 1,719 yards, 26 TDs; 16 carries, 125 yards, TD) has six touchdown passes in back-to-back games. Key meeting with league-leading Graham-Kapowsin ahead for Emerald Ridge in Week 8.
5. Kennedy Catholic (5-1) — Lancers are on a five-game winning streak, have routed their first four 4A NPSL opponents and are two wins away from a fifth consecutive undefeated league crown. RB Indiana Jones (86 carries, 570 yards, nine TDs; 17 catches, 266 yards, four TDs; INT return TD) is averaging 145-plus all-purpose yards per game.
6. Sumner (3-3) — Defending 4A SPSL champions dropped a close overtime contest, 38-31, to league-leading Graham-Kapowsin back in Week 5, but rallied with a 49-21 victory over Rogers last week. Spartans still in position to return to the postseason, and have Olympia, Bethel and South Kitsap remaining on their 4A SPSL schedule.
7. Enumclaw (6-0) — Hornets have put up plenty of points, but maybe most impressive is the defense. Enumclaw has given up just seven points in the past four games and just 26 points on the season and is unlikely to be seriously tested until the state tournament.
8. Tumwater (6-0) — T-Birds have been explosive all season, averaging 50 points per game, including 50+ point efforts in the past four games. Kooper Clark has been the lead back, rushing for 429 yards and seven TDs this season.
9. Puyallup (3-3) — Vikings have won three of the last four and look like a playoff team after a 33-14 win over Olympia last week. RB Kyson Douglas (380 rushing yards, 4 TD; 266 receiving yards, 3 TD) has emerged as a versatile threat in Puyallup’s offense.
10. Mount Tahoma (3-3) — T-Birds bounced back after a nonleague loss to Battle Ground with a 41-8 rout of Bonney Lake to remain undefeated in the 3A PCL. RB Brison Bailey (751 yards, 10 TD) continues to be a workhorse, averaging 125 rushing yards per game.
THE NEXT FIVE
Lincoln (3-3), Gig Harbor (5-1), Decatur (5-1), Timberline (4-2), Auburn Riverside (4-2)
