TNT’s Week 4 all-classification South Sound power rankings: Sumner tops the list
Three weeks are in the books 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 other teams in the league because of a more difficult non-league schedule? We’ll consider that, too.
Here’s this season’s first Top 10, plus ‘The Next Five.’
THE TOP 10
1. Sumner (1-2) — Don’t let the record fool you. Losses on the road at Lake Stevens and at home to Oregon reigning 6A state champion West Linn were both games Sumner had chances to win and frankly, narrow losses to good teams are better preparation than blowout wins against overmatched opponents. Oregon State commit and RB Lance McGee is piling up yards.
2. Graham-Kapowsin (3-0) — Eagles have early season’s signature win, which came in Week 1 against defending 3A state champion O’Dea. Receivers Kase Betz and Jayce Halasz are two of the area’s best.
3. Mount Tahoma (3-0) — Aside from Graham-Kapowsin’s win over O’Dea, Mount Tahoma’s 49-22 road win over Camas is the best non-league win from a South Sound team. T-Birds have the pieces to contend for the 3A state title this year.
4. Puyallup (3-0) — Vikings followed up a quality win over Tumwater in Week 1 with blowout wins over Evergreen and Skyview. Skill position talent everywhere for first-year coach DJ Mims. Likely 4A SPSL North title game against Sumner looms.
5. Tumwater (2-1) — Death, taxes and T-Bird winning football. A 49-21 win over Eastlake in Week 3 may get things rolling quickly for Tumwater. Senior RB Peyton Davis is piling up yards in the Wing-T.
6. Lakes (2-0) — Gutsy comeback win over Curtis in Week 3 in Lakewood showed what this group is made of. Freshman QB Jadis Lefono is a playmaker and there’s legitimate team speed on both sides of the ball.
7. Enumclaw (3-0) — It’s hard to glean much from blowout wins over Todd Beamer and Kentlake. Good test for Mark Gunderson’s squad on the road at Federal Way this week. Sophomore WR Kolt Kuzaro is emerging as the top target in the passing game for senior QB Gavin Trachte.
8. Franklin Pierce (2-1) — It’s tough to get excited about a loss, but I was encouraged by FP’s 21-20 loss to perennial 2A state power Lynden in Week 2 — a program Franklin Pierce wouldn’t have been able to hang with a few years ago. A Week 1 win over Lincoln showed this team’s promise, led by RB Bryson Allen’s nearly 300-yard, five touchdown performance.
9. Curtis (2-1) — Love this defensive line, led by Jereme Scott and San Diego State commit Robby Lavata’i. If the Vikings can become a little more explosive on offense over the course of the season, Curtis could be a tough out in the playoffs.
10. Emerald Ridge (1-2) — I know Bethel won this matchup head-to-head, but honestly, I’m higher on Emerald Ridge than I was before the season started. The Jaguars are 1-2 but were rolling against Bethel until starting QB Brayden Paulino exited the game with an injury. Torey Donovan’s young squad could steal a game or two down the stretch.
THE NEXT FIVE
Bethel, Lincoln, Kennedy Catholic, Timberline, Capital
