TNT’s Week 9 all-classification power rankings: Puyallup remains No. 1, Orting rises
Eight 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 our Week 9 Top 10, plus “The Next Five.”
1. Puyallup (8-0) — Are there any holes on this roster? The Vikings have been getting lights-out play from QB Noah Smith, RB Briytan Bailey, an elite group of receivers, a bullying offensive line and a fast, physical defense.
2. Graham-Kapowsin (8-0) — Bruising RB Blake Pearson is a complement to legit speed on the perimeter with receivers Jayce Halasz and Kase Betz. With QB AJ Tuivaiave returning and other players making their way back, the Eagles hope to peak in time for playoffs.
3. Sumner (5-3) — After the no-show against Puyallup, Spartans have ripped off three straight wins by a combined score of 149-3. Maybe angry Sumner is the best Sumner.
4. Mount Tahoma (8-0) — A nasty defense, a balanced offense and high-level line play — this is the most complete roster in the 3A PSL. Quick starts will be the key in the postseason.
5. Tumwater (7-1) — Wing-T is humming along as usual and the T-Birds are clicking on defense, too, as evidenced by an eight turnover effort in the 2A EvCo clinching win over W.F. West last week.
6. Lakes (8-0) — “Orange Crush” is alive and well in Lakewood. Freshman QB Jadis Lefono plays with the poise of a veteran and LB Ta’u Mareko continues to wreck opposing game plans. Lancers have started 8-0 in consecutive seasons.
7. Enumclaw (8-0) — RBs Cole Chiechi and Paxton Patterson are steamrolling 3A NPSL opponents behind a punishing offensive line at Pete’s Pool. The stage is set for Friday’s 3A NPSL championship with White River.
8. Kennedy Catholic (6-2) — Nikko Lecksiwilai and a stable of rushers powered a six-game win streak since early losses to Bothell and Sumner. Lancers haven’t lost to a 4A NPSL opponent since Nov. 2018.
9. Orting (8-0) — Shiron Seniours and Carson McCall control a “Thunder and Lightning” ground game, and the defense has pitched three straight shutouts. Only Eatonville stands in the way of an undefeated 2A SPSL title.
10. Franklin Pierce (6-2) — Cardinals have scored 50+ points in four straight wins, a sign that the Power-T has found its form for playoff time. RB/LB Bryson Allen (1,259 YDS, 19 TD, 6 sacks) is building a case for back-to-back 2A SPSL MVPs.
THE NEXT FIVE
Lincoln, Curtis, White River, Gig Harbor, Kentwood
