Previews, predictions for the WIAA high school football state championships
The high school football state championships, which will feature 12 teams from across Washington, are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Here is a look at each of the six title games in Class 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A, 2B and 1B, which will be played at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
CLASS 4A
No. 2 Lake Stevens Vikings (12-1) vs. No. 1 Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (13-0)
7 p.m. Saturday, Husky Stadium, Seattle
These two powerhouse programs have already met in the state playoffs five times in the past decade, with Lake Stevens holding a 3-2 lead in the state series. The Vikings won the first meeting in the quarterfinals in 2015, then again in the 2018 quarterfinals and last season’s semifinals. Graham-Kapowsin won a first-round meeting in 2017, and then routed Lake Stevens in the 2021 championship game to win the first title in program history. This weekend’s sixth meeting sets up to be another thrilling entry in the series. Defending 4A state champion Lake Stevens is in the title game for a third consecutive year, has not lost to an in-state opponent this season and posted convincing victories over No. 15 Woodinville (41-0), No. 10 Kennedy Catholic (44-21) and No. 6 Kamiakin (48-7) in the first three rounds. QB Kolton Matson (211-of-313 passing, 3,157 yards, 45 TDs; five rushing TDs) is set to start his third consecutive title game, while RB Jayshon Limar (110 carries, 876 yards, 11 TDs) paces the Vikings in rushing this fall and WR David Brown (47 catches, 790 yards, 17 TDs) leads seven Vikings receivers with multiple touchdown catches. The Eagles are back in the title game for the first time since their historic 2021 season, and are the only remaining undefeated program in 4A. Graham-Kapowsin posted a double-digit win over No. 16 Richland (56-35) in the first round, and rallied past No. 8 Gonzaga Prep (20-14) and No. 4 Eastlake (27-24) to advance. QB Daveon Superales (280-of-368 passing, 3,473 yards, 44 TDs; 108 carries, 706 yards, seven TDs) leads Graham-Kapowsin in both passing and rushing, while Division I-bound receivers Jabez Woods (95 catches, 1,202 yards, 10 TDs) and Malachi Durant (64 catches, 1,025 yards, 18 TDs) both have 1,000-plus receiving yards.
TNT pick: Lake Stevens, 38-31
CLASS 3A
No. 6 Bellevue Wolverines (10-2) vs. No. 1 Yelm Tornados (13-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Husky Stadium, Seattle
Yelm defeated Bellevue in a thriller in last year’s semifinal round, 28-27, thanks to a Damian Aalona quarterback sneak on fourth down late in the fourth quarter. Yelm running back Brayden Platt gashed Bellevue’s defense in that win, rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns, which sent Yelm to the state championship game. Yelm will face another test against Bellevue’s Wing-T, paced by Max Jones (1,059 yards, 16 rushing TDs) this year. QB Lucas Razore (42-of-70, 907 yards, 15 TDs) has been efficient when called on. TE Hogan Hansen, a Michigan commit, is a threat in the passing game. Brayden Platt (1,324 yards and 23 TDs on 119 carries) has been one of the state’s best two-way players again this season. Yelm has one state championship to its name (2022), while Bellevue officially has 11 (1983, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2021). Their 2012 and 2013 titles were vacated. Yelm’s defense has been lights out in the state tournament. The Tornados will need their best effort yet to win back-to-back titles.
TNT pick: Yelm, 20-18
CLASS 2A
No. 2 Anacortes Seahawks (12-0) vs. No. 1 Tumwater T-Birds (13-0)
3 p.m. Saturday, Husky Stadium, Seattle
It’s a matchup of undefeated teams for the 2A title. Anacortes defeated No. 3 Enumclaw last week, pulling away in the second half, while Tumwater came from behind to beat North Kitsap. Tumwater will have its hands full with Anacortes’ high-flying offense, led by quarterback Rex Larson (159-of-209 passing for 2,399 yards and 26 TDs), RB Brock Beaner (1,075 rushing yards and 17 TDs) and versatile Brady Beaner (461 rushing yards, 699 receiving yards and 12 TDs). Tumwater looks different on the offensive side, pounding the ball with its signature Wing-T offense. RB Kooper Clark (1,126 rushing yards, 19 TDs) leads a stable of talented running backs. QB Ethan Kastner (75-of-103, 1,367 yards, 23 TDs) could be the difference maker if he can capitalize on a few open shots in the passing game. Both coaches — Willie Garrow at Tumwater and Travis Anderson at Anacortes — are first-year head coaches at their respective programs. Anacortes has never won a state championship and is making its first appearance this year, while Tumwater has won six (1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2010, 2019).
TNT pick: Tumwater, 24-21
CLASS 1A
No. 2 Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls Eagles (12-0) vs. No. 1 Royal Knights (12-0)
3 p.m. Friday, Husky Stadium, Seattle
Royal is now one win away from a fourth consecutive state championship, having topped each of the past three 1A state brackets in 2019, 2021 and 2022. The Knights have 11 titles in 14 championship game appearances entering this week’s final, including winning the 1A crown six of the past seven seasons. Royal remains undefeated through 12 contests, and has outscored opponents by exactly 500 points this fall, averaging 45.7 per game while allowing just four, with six shutouts. The Knights have yet to allow a point in the state playoffs, after shutting out No. 16 Eatonville (50-0), No. 9 Omak (49-0) and No. 12 Seton Catholic (42-0) in the first three rounds. QB Lance Allred (151-of-224 passing, 2,783 yards, 32 TDs; 108 carries, 675 yards, 17 TDs) leads the way in passing and rushing, while WR Case Christensen (47 catches, 1,041 yards, 16 TDs) paces the Knights in receiving. Lakeside is making the first championship game in program history following wins over No. 15 Life Christian (41-14), No. 10 Freeman (24-20) and No. 6 Nooksack Valley (24-23 in OT) in the first three rounds. QB Calvin Mikkelsen (92-of-172 passing, 1,619 yards, 20 TDs; 111 carries, 477 yards, nine TDs) runs the Eagles’ offense, while RB Hiro Patterson (77 carries, 569 yards, four TDs; 48 catches, 957 yards, nine TDs) is a leader for Lakeside on the ground and through the air.
TNT pick: Royal, 35-14
CLASS 2B
No. 2 Okanogan Bulldogs (12-0) vs. No. 1 Napavine Tigers (11-1)
11 a.m. Saturday, Husky Stadium, Seattle
Napavine has rolled through most of its schedule, its only loss coming to Lynden Christian in September. QB Ashton Demarest (115-of-208 passing, 2,109 yards, 28 TDs and 903 yards rushing and 16 TDs on 107 carries) is the engine for the Tigers. Okanogan comes into the game undefeated and also has a dual-threat QB in Carter Kuchenbuch (29-of-60 for 486 yards and nine TDs and 918 rushing yards, 23 TDs on 94 carries). RB David Huffstetler (868 yards, 12 TDs on 117 carries) is the lead back.
TNT pick: Napavine, 35-31
CLASS 1B
No. 2 Wilbur-Creston-Keller Wildcats (12-0) vs. No. 1 Liberty Bell Mountain Lions (9-0)
11 a.m. Friday, Husky Stadium, Seattle
The two 8-man programs with the highest scoring averages in the state are set to kick off championship weekend Friday morning in Seattle. Wilbur-Creston-Keller, which has piled up 764 points through 12 contests (63.7 per game), is playing in a state title game for the first time in program history, and routed No. 10 Naselle (98-40) and No. 3 Mossyrock (66-22) in the quarterfinals and semifinals the past two weeks following a first-round bye. RB Kalub Dreger (173 carries, 2,428 yards, 35 TDs) is nearing 2,500 rushing yards for the season, while QB Kallen Maioho (47-of-64 passing, 947 yards, 15 TDs; 47 carries, 652 yards, 16 TDs) and RB/WR Preston Michel (212 carries, 1,580 yards, 26 TDs; 32 catches, 480 yards, eight TDs) are also leaders on offense. Defending 1B state champion Liberty Bell won the first title in program history last fall, and returns to the final this weekend following a first-round bye, and wins over No. 8 Wellpinit (76-14) in the quarterfinals and last season’s 1B runner-up No. 5 Neah Bay (64-34) in the semifinals. QB Lucien Paz (96-of-137 passing, 1,764 yards, 33 TDs; 104 carries, 838 yards, 15 TDs) and RB Remington Paz (66 carries, 853 yards, 13 TDs; 47 catches, 975 yards, 22 TDs) pace a Mountain Lions program that averages 62.4 points per contest.
TNT pick: Liberty Bell, 56-40
