TNT’s Week 9 football power rankings: Sumner reigns supreme, Bethel cracks Top 10
Eight weeks are down in the high school football season in the South Sound and across Washington state. The News Tribune’s high school sports crew is ranking the top teams 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, not just wins and losses. Did a team lose because its star quarterback was hurt and didn’t play? Maybe that team won’t slide. Is a team lower in the standings than others teams in the league because of a more difficult non-league schedule? We’ll consider that, too.
Here’s the Week 9 Top 10, plus “The Next Five.”
1. Sumner — Spartans blanked Emerald Ridge’s offense in last weekend’s blowout, 38-6, and have yet to lose to an in-state opponent this season (West Linn, OR). We’ll keep Sumner’s elite defense atop the rankings.
2. Kennedy Catholic — Lancers have stomped all 4A NPSL rivals by 22 points or more, averaging 48.6 points per game this season. QB Devon Forehand, RB Indiana Jones and a defense powered by DE Derek Colman-Brusa are true 4A contenders in Burien.
3. Graham-Kapowsin — Eagles have won six straight, including victories over Yelm, Bethel and Olympia. RB Blake Pearson is emerging as the bell cow, handling 28 carries for 141 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win over Spanaway Lake. How far will strong-armed freshman QB AJ Tuivaiave take them in his first postseason?
4. Tumwater — We’re running out of things to say about this 2A freight train’s unstoppable run game after Tumwater stomped undefeated W.F. West on the road, 52-0, for the EvCo title. We’re not sure if the T-Birds enter any playoff game this season as an underdog, either.
5. Decatur — Gators controlled their 3A NPSL destiny with early wins over Enumclaw and Federal Way and completed an undefeated regular season for good measure. Decatur’s defense has surrendered 26 combined points in six games since Sept. 20.
6. Yelm — Tornados have won three straight since loss to Graham-Kapowsin. Most encouraging was Tornados’ defense forcing five interceptions in win over Olympia. RB Nathan Ford’s return will make Yelm a tough out in the postseason.
7. Lakes — Even short-handed due to the injury bug, Lakes is piling up wins, the latest a 38-7 victory over a solid Capital squad. If Lakes can get defensive end Tupu Saleaumua back and if Division I linebacker recruit Ta’u Mareko ever sees the field this season, it’s scary to think how good this defense could be.
8. Lincoln — Abes are humming along, winners of five straight. Lincoln has averaged 38.6 points per game over that span. A confident Sione Kaho is a dangerous proposition for opponents in the playoffs.
9. Enumclaw — Hornets have once again fielded one of the area’s best defenses this fall. Enumclaw has posted four straight shutouts, outscoring opponents 215 to zero(!) over that span.
10. Bethel — Losses to Graham-Kapowsin and Yelm came by a combined four points. Linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale is a freak athlete and game wrecker. Bethel can secure a playoff spot with a win at Tuesday night’s Kansas tiebreaker at Bellarmine against Spanaway Lake and Olympia.
‘The Next Five’
Emerald Ridge, Franklin Pierce, Puyallup, Tahoma, Mount Tahoma
