Teams to watch in the 1A class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As players wrap up their 7v7 seasons and wrap up attending camps and showcases, I wanted to take a look into each class within the state and see which teams that you need to keep an eye on as the season goes along. This is just a couple teams listed, there will be more who will be at the top of the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kings HS </strong>- Last Season: 8-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kings had a great season last year finishing 8-2, losing games to Nooksack Valley and Freeman (state playoff game). Their season ended prematurely in the first round of the 1A state tournament to Freeman by a score of 13-28. They were a fairly younger team last year so they will have a ton of playmakers/key players returning. Maddox Boyce and Benjamin Dutton (Wash St commit) are 2 names they will have to replace but again, I don't think they will have trouble find players to fill in. Some names to watch for this upcoming season is Simon VanderWel ('24 DL), Jackson Miller ('24 OL/DL), Colton Adams ('25 DB/WR), and Wesley Blackmer ('24 DE/OLB) just to name a few.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nooksack Valley HS</strong> - Last Season: 9-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nooksack surprised a ton of people around the state and went on a run all the way to the 1A state semi-finals before losing to fellow NWC member, Mount Baker by a score of 13-14. They lost regular seasons to Lynden Christian and Mount Baker. The Pioneers were young last year and only have a couple players from last years team who is not returning. They are bringing back Joey Brown ('24 QB), [player_tooltip player_id='945855' first='Colton' last='Lentz'] ('25 RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1136307' first='Brady' last='Ackerman'] ('25 OL/DL), and John Stremler ('24 DL) just to name a couple guys to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Royal HS</strong> - Last Season: 12-1 - <em>1A STATE CHAMPION</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Royal is a powerhouse in the 1A classification. They are competitive every single season, being a title contender yearly. Last season they were crowned 1A state champions by defeated Mount Baker by a score of 35-20. Their lone loss came early in the season to Lynden Christian. That loss to the Lyncs, I believe off my stat checking, that it was their first loss in the regular season since the 2014/2015 season. Royal will have to find someone to replace starting QB Dylan Allred, who graduated last season. Lance Allred ('25 WR/DB), Bennett Brown ('24 DL), Case Christensen ('24 WR/DB) will be some players to watch as Royal goes for their 4th straight state title, with no champion being crowned in 2020 (2019,2021,2022).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tenino HS</strong> - Last Season: 9-2 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tenino is a team who had a fantastic season last season. '23 graduate Dylan Spicer had a phenomenal season leading the way for Tenino by having multiple 200 yard rushing games. They lost a regular season game to Eatonville and lost in the first round of the 1A state tournament to Mount Baker by a score of 26-37. Tenino did claim their first 1A Evergreen league title for the first time since 2013. Cody Strawn ('24 QB), Michael Lanning ('26 RB/LB), Tyler Minerich ('25 RB), Michael Vassar ('25 LB), and Jack Barkhardt ('25 TE/LB) are some names to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eatonville HS</strong> - Last Season: 8-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eatonville was led by Job Kralik, who did it all for the squad. He lined up at QB but could play all over the field, making plays all over the place. They had a big, solid offensive line as well but I expect Eatonville to adapt and adjust just well to whomever will be taking snaps behind center. They lost a regular season game last year to Montesano and lost in the 2nd round of the state tournament to Freeman by a score of 17-23. Dylan Norman ('24 RB) and [player_tooltip player_id='945881' first='Ky' last='Nation'] ('25 WR/DB) will be 2 names who will have huge seasons next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->