FSP Top 25 Preseason Power Rankings

<p>As the preseason finishes and Washington State High School Football kicks off this weekend, we at Ford Sports Performance will be power ranking the top 25 teams in the state each week. These initial rankings signify the most intriguing teams in the state based on the following criteria- most talent, program prestige, best chance to go deep in the state playoffs, and best chance to produce collegiate level prospects. These rankings include a mix of classifications, with 11 4A, 11 3A, and 3 2A teams making the list.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Yelm</h2>   <p>This one should come as no surprise. The Defending 3A State Champs return their two top players in LBs [player_tooltip player_id='115328' first='Brayden' last='Platt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='338788' first='Isaiah' last='Patterson'], who form the best position group in the State and one of the best LB cores in the nation. They return several productive lineman including [player_tooltip player_id='643362' first='Tyler' last='Blevins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='158380' first='Landen' last='Barger'], and the [player_tooltip player_id='643363' first='Damian' last='Aalona'] to [player_tooltip player_id='338811' first='Marius' last='Aalona'] brother connection should form one of the better QB to WR duos in the state as well. Incoming Freshman DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='928074' first='Maurice' last='Williams'] is one of the best overall players in the 2027 class, and he's joined by DL [player_tooltip player_id='928141' first='MJ' last='Wadley'] and DB [player_tooltip player_id='928131' first='Davin' last='Kirkwood'] as the Tornadoes replenish what they lost seamlessly. They could be even better this year and look to defend their title as one of the State's new powerhouses.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. O'Dea</h2>   <p>Left unsatisfied after losing to rival Eastside Catholic to go out of the playoffs last year, the Fighting Irish have the most loaded Senior class in the state. Their three nationally prized talents include RB [player_tooltip player_id='115335' first='Jason' last='Brown'], OL [player_tooltip player_id='158323' first='Isendre' last='Ahfua'] and DB [player_tooltip player_id='158345' first='Kyan' last='McDonald'], not to forget OL [player_tooltip player_id='643364' first='Kai' last='Holec']. They're joined by loads more talent from the lower classes including '25 DB [player_tooltip player_id='693729' first='Sage' last='Salopek'], to '26 DL [player_tooltip player_id='284217' first='FA' last='Siale'] and [player_tooltip player_id='402788' first='David' last='Schwerzel']. They're the most talented team in the state and the best they've been in a long time, with the potential to be both the best offense and defense in the state. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Graham-Kapowsin</h2>   <p>The Eagles may have the best offensive weaponry in the state, headlined by the WR trio of [player_tooltip player_id='115330' first='Malachi' last='Durant'], Khris Norris and [player_tooltip player_id='115340' first='Jabez' last='Woods']. Add in TE Noah Fox Flores and an OL including big time talents like '25 Mensior Luck Jr. and '27 Aydin Bullinger, and you're looking at a team that will go as far as Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='158402' first='Daveon' last='Superales'] and their defense can take them.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Emerald Ridge</h2>   <p>This offense will take the Jaguars a long way. From returners QB [player_tooltip player_id='115343' first='Jake' last='Schakel'] and WRs [player_tooltip player_id='158405' first='Tony' last='Harste'] and [player_tooltip player_id='158342' first='Gio' last='Kafentzis'] to newcomers RB [player_tooltip player_id='206270' first='Navarre' last='Dixon'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='158339' first='Isaac' last='Syph'], this team is filled with excellent players, many who still have something to prove. They can win any game they play and will need the defense to prevent shootouts, but have no limit on their potential.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Bellevue</h2>   <p>After a tough loss late last year, the Wolverines are ready to get back to their national dominance. OL [player_tooltip player_id='348139' first='Demetri' last='Manning'] was one of the biggest stories of the offseason and will protect QB [player_tooltip player_id='301972' first='Lucas' last='Razore'], who's shown a huge arm and mobility for a shorter prospect. TE [player_tooltip player_id='115338' first='Hogan' last='Hansen'] could challenge for Player Of The Year if they go far, and ATH [player_tooltip player_id='348143' first='Ryken' last='Moon'] can make splash plays as well as anyone. The defense will be anchored by DBs Moon and [player_tooltip player_id='338859' first='Colin' last='Miller'], but they'll need role players to step up and compete with the depth of others.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Eastside Catholic</h2>   <p>The Crusaders are a younger team but have some of the most talent in the state. Their defense can take them all the way, with the front seven anchored by upperclassmen DL [player_tooltip player_id='158344' first='AJ' last='Tanupo'] and LB [player_tooltip player_id='158333' first='David' last='Lene'], who's joined by young star LBs [player_tooltip player_id='402799' first='Wassie' last='Lugolobi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='652796' first='Liufau' last='Loumoli'] and the backfield of DBs [player_tooltip player_id='338789' first='Tyson' last='Weaver'], [player_tooltip player_id='459109' first='Kayden' last='Greene'] and [player_tooltip player_id='915278' first='Bryson' last='Ross']. They can go all the way, but QB remains a big question mark- except they'll be able to funnel targets to dynamite '27 newcomer WR [player_tooltip player_id='402787' first='Asa' last='Thompson'].</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Garfield</h2>   <p>The team with the best quarterback always has an advantage and [player_tooltip player_id='158332' first='EJ' last='Caminong'] could take them all the way as a senior, especially if him and ATH [player_tooltip player_id='115327' first='Rahshawn' last='Clark'] gel as well as they have for Team FSP Spring Tackle and will at Cal. They also gained DL [player_tooltip player_id='115346' first='Elijah' last='Napihaa'], and retain talented DBs [player_tooltip player_id='693735' first='Romaree' last='Fleeks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='693689' first='Jerimyah' last='Mitchell']. The Witherspoon Brothers of Reggie and Reylen also have high ceilings too. We'll see them tested early in the biggest Week 1 matchup.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Lake Stevens</h2>   <p>The back-to-back 4A State Champs will look to accomplish even more history this year. They've got a brutal non-conference schedule and will go even higher if they knock off 3A Garfield and Bellevue in Weeks 1 and 2, followed by Oregon blue-blood West Linn in Week 3. They're not backing down from anyone, returning the best underclassmen QB in [player_tooltip player_id='348171' first='Kolton' last='Matson'] and stellar RB [player_tooltip player_id='348138' first='Jayshon' last='Limar'], as well as DL [player_tooltip player_id='1108573' first='Naveer' last='Kaile'] and LB Keagen Howard. WR [player_tooltip player_id='348150' first='Cassidy' last='Bolong-Banks'] rounds out a young core that's allowed the Vikings to compete with anyone.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Rainier Beach</h2>   <p>After a tumultuous season last-year, the South End's Crown Jewel will contend in the State's toughest league again. They can stack up skill players with anyone, from returners WR [player_tooltip player_id='402796' first='Oteko' last='Mwamba'], WR/DBs [player_tooltip player_id='1165351' first='Zevion' last='Watkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1655940' first='Daniel' last='Haynes'], and [player_tooltip player_id='987166' first='Cassius' last='Culpepper'], RB [player_tooltip player_id='726156' first='Damari' last='King'], incoming freshmen WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='685276' first='Sirjewel' last='Glover'] and QB [player_tooltip player_id='1599605' first='Khiel' last='Jackson'], and wickedly underrated newcomer RB [player_tooltip player_id='945843' first='Akeem' last='Murph'] Jr, the Beach Boys are ready to contend with anyone again. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. Kennewick</h2>   <p>The Lions make a strong case to be the best team in Eastern Washington. They return one of the state's top OL in Senior [player_tooltip player_id='338796' first='Nathan' last='Knapik'], who'll continue to block for playmaking ATH [player_tooltip player_id='693764' first='Alex' last='Roberts']. TE Jon Wright returns as well, and stud younger brother ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1369672' first='Jax' last='Wright'] is an incoming freshman. They could climb these rankings quickly, having beaten Rainier Beach in a close one before losing to eventual Champion Yelm by just 9 in late November. They'll be motivated and confident to go even further this year and shouldn't be slept on.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">11. Sumner</h2>   <p>Key Players- TE [player_tooltip player_id='1136315' first='Carter' last='Cocke'], WR Braylon Pope</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">12. Kennedy Catholic</h2>   <p>Key Players- DB [player_tooltip player_id='348164' first='Josiah' last='Paaga'], QB [player_tooltip player_id='348145' first='Devon' last='Forehand']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">13. Bothell</h2>   <p>Key Players- QB [player_tooltip player_id='356516' first='Jaylen' last='Viars'], WR Dre Ozuna</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14. Mount Si</h2>   <p>Key Players- RB [player_tooltip player_id='115333' first='Beau' last='Phillips'], OL [player_tooltip player_id='915281' first='Tanner' last='Stokes']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15. Anacortes</h2>   <p>Key Players- ATH/DB [player_tooltip player_id='693730' first='Brady' last='Beaner'], ATH/DB [player_tooltip player_id='205682' first='Brock' last='Beaner']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16. Lakes</h2>   <p>Key Players- QB [player_tooltip player_id='402792' first='Legend' last='Galeai'], LB [player_tooltip player_id='726154' first='Ta'ulelei' last='Mareko']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17. Curtis</h2>   <p>Key Players- DB [player_tooltip player_id='693728' first='Jayden' last='Rice-Claiborne'], WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='693683' first='Xavier' last='Ahrens']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18. Lynden</h2>   <p>Key Players- QB [player_tooltip player_id='945865' first='Brant' last='Heppner'], LB/TE [player_tooltip player_id='945877' first='Isaiah' last='Oudman']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">19. Lincoln (Tacoma)</h2>   <p>Key Players- DB [player_tooltip player_id='115336' first='Brandon' last='Ervin'] Jr, QB [player_tooltip player_id='1188085' first='Sione' last='Kaho']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">20. Spanaway Lake</h2>   <p>Key Players- DB [player_tooltip player_id='348140' first='D'Aryhian' last='Clemons'], DB LaRon Paige</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">21. Skyview</h2>   <p>Key Players- OL [player_tooltip player_id='587332' first='Noah' last='Thomas'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='693684' first='Gavin' last='Packer']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">22. Kamiakin</h2>   <p>Key Players- OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='444623' first='Gavin' last='McCallum'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='693687' first='David' last='Kuku']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">23. Tumwater</h2>   <p>Key Players- DB [player_tooltip player_id='1108487' first='Payton' last='LaGuerre'], TE [player_tooltip player_id='693692' first='Beckett' last='Wall']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">24. Timberline</h2>   <p>Key Players- DL [player_tooltip player_id='87448' first='Tyrin' last='Evans'], LB [player_tooltip player_id='1108262' first='Darrell' last='Gipson']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">25. Puyallup</h2>   <p>Key Players- DB [player_tooltip player_id='348162' first='Seanje' last='Finister'], TE/DL [player_tooltip player_id='915313' first='Kai' last='Richardson']</p>

As the preseason finishes and Washington State High School Football kicks off this weekend, we at Ford Sports Performance will be power ranking the top 25 teams in the state each week. These initial rankings signify the most intriguing teams in the state based on the following criteria- most talent, program prestige, best chance to go deep in the state playoffs, and best chance to produce collegiate level prospects. These rankings include a mix of classifications, with 11 4A, 11 3A, and 3 2A teams making the list.