NW 'Way Too Early' Top 20 Team Rankings (11-20)

Over the last few months, we have ranked the top teams coming back next season in Oregon at the 6A & 5A level. Here we incorporate the state of Washington and project out on the NW's Top 20 teams for next year. It's early with a lot that could still change, but always fun to take a look..            #11 Willamette OR   The Wolverines are a 5A school but will continue to play up a level just like last season. They will feature two of the top recruits in Oregon with 2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='904208' first='Zeke' last='Thomas'] and top LB [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin']. Both will be double digit D1 offer athletes when all is said and done.   Willamette probably should have beaten Central Catholic in the state quarterfinals last season but came up just short losing 27-20. DE [player_tooltip player_id='937281' first='Tripp' last='Johansen'] played out of his mind and returns after landing multiple division 1 offers this off season. Current freshman RB [player_tooltip player_id='2127746' first='Jonny' last='Jenkins'] and 2nd team all-league returner [player_tooltip player_id='1924374' first='Zuzi' last='Alwineyan'] give them an impressive combo out of the backfield. Add in 6-3 2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1609788' first='Knox' last='Smith'] and you have an elite perimeter.   #12 Kennedy Catholic WA   The Lancers graduate the state's #1 recruit in [player_tooltip player_id='402789' first='Derek' last='Colman-Brusa'] but do bring back a plethora of 1st team all-conference projected guys, including a few talented big boys up front in [player_tooltip player_id='2065191' first='JayLinn' last='Haywood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='985347' first='Alex' last='Prince'].    [player_tooltip player_id='1530872' first='Jordan' last='Noel'] has multiple D1 offers and RB's [player_tooltip player_id='1368339' first='Nikko' last='Lecksiwilai'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1188104' first='Royce' last='Miller'] are legit. The biggest question mark will be how they do as a team outside of a weaker NPSL, losing to Sumner and GK by a combined score of 62-7 last year. Expect underclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='1339204' first='Brayden' last='Seiber'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1615869' first='Kael' last='Copeland'] to play a huge role if they make a run in the playoffs.    #13 Bothell WA   I really like this Bothell team, led by one of the best pair of RB's in the region in [player_tooltip player_id='2042027' first='Cyion' last='Seoum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2042096' first='Mylez' last='Welch']. As a sophomore Welch went for 1000+ and 13 TD's on 143 carries and could easily be a 1500–2000 yard guy this year.    As a program the Cougars are solid and should battle for a KingCo title this season, after losing to an undefeated Moses Lake team 17-14 in the 1st round of the playoffs last year. Two of the biggest X factors are 2nd team all-league returner [player_tooltip player_id='1248695' first='Carlin' last='Gochnour'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2042036' first='Dominic' last='D'ambrosia'] on the D line.    #14 Nelson OR   The Hawks are fresh off a Mt Hood title where they made a statement beating key rival Central Catholic 26-6. QB and breakout POY [player_tooltip player_id='2070152' first='Danny' last='Leary'] is gone, along with the state's #1 2026 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1110921' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga'] and 6-5 300 pound D lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1660153' first='Abraham' last='Zhyryada'] who is headed to Oregon.   If they are to win again it will come down to their talented young guys stepping up, and the team being able distribute the ball to all everything 3* WR [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'] who had 20 TDs last season.    #15 Central Catholic OR   CC always reloads but it will be hard to make up for the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='402427' first='Tyson' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='402415' first='Killian' last='Sombe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1585700' first='Cole' last='Thomas'] who was probably the best all-purpose guy in Oregon last season.    The Rams strength will come up front where they feature 2028 #1 recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1654734' first='PJ' last='Tautu'] and 6-3 310 pound monster [player_tooltip player_id='936855' first='Nate' last='Peau']. They will also have more beef in 6-4 TE George Van Sandt and fellow 6-4 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1369697' first='Talon' last='Sosky'], both of whom hold division 1 offers. Can the new skill guys step up? That's the question.    #16 Chiawana WA   Year in and year out, Chiawana is one of the top programs in Washington, finishing last season with a 10-1 record. They don't necessarily produce the high-profile athletes that some of the other schools do, but they are incredibly consistent.    [player_tooltip player_id='1563429' first='Sawyer' last='Sommerville'] returns as one of the top players statewide in the 2027 class, with [player_tooltip player_id='1615830' first='Cooper' last='Cissne'] being the only sophomore in Washington to earn 1st team all-state honors on D at the 4A level.    #17 Tumwater WA   One of the most consistent programs each and every year. The T-Birds went (11-2) last season, losing their opener to 4A power Puyallup by 6 and then the 2A state championship to Archbishop Murphy.    Grady Wall is back after being named a 1st team all-state DB and the defensive POY in the conference. [player_tooltip player_id='1892956' first='Tyler' last='Briscoe'] is one of the top two-way threats in Washington, with Jayden Hinchcliffe teaming with him out of the backfield. They will be the 2A title favorites next season.    #18 Jesuit OR   RB [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'] went off last season going for 2000+ yards and 23 TDs behind a phenomenal offensive line. They graduate multiple D1 guys up front along with a talented skill group and secondary, so there are question marks.    I do like this Crusaders team to do well next season behind a relatively solid QB in Jack WIlson. 6-5 TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='2054681' first='Oliver' last='Holverson'] and 6-4 LB [player_tooltip player_id='937177' first='Luke' last='Hanifan'] will lead the D with current sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1612591' first='Ethan' last='Peng'] being a 1st team projected DB.   #19 Mount Si WA   I would expect a completely different Mount Si team to show up this season, led by a solid D and a few other standout athletes. [player_tooltip player_id='1568794' first='Drenden' last='Knaevelsrud'] is one of the fastest rising LB prospects on the west coast with a handful of D1 offers, with fellow OLB/Edge [player_tooltip player_id='1555731' first='Jason' last='Armbruster'] likely being a division 1 guy as well.    [player_tooltip player_id='1671069' first='Xavier' last='Wall'] is one of the top 2-way lineman in Washington with 6-7 WR Fin Stewart flying up the PRZ rankings board. The biggest variable for this season will be QB [player_tooltip player_id='1339252' first='Colton' last='Stiles'] who started as a sophomore. If he plays well, they have a chance to win a playoff game or two.   #20 Lakes WA   The Lancers bring back a bunch of dudes after a (10-2) season which includes current freshman and reigning conference POY [player_tooltip player_id='1557937' first='Jadis' last='Lefono'] at QB. His 27 TD's (17 passing, 10 rushing) help put an exclamation point on his ability.    [player_tooltip player_id='1368329' first='Toetu' last='Moliga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1599662' first='Ean' last='Owens'] are both ranked in the PRZ top 50 and are game-changing athletes in space. Add to this 2028 OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1807588' first='Kyran' last='Sessoms'] and transfer Junior Leapai on the line and they will have a shot come playoff time.    #20 Lincoln  WA   Everyone is aware of top QB prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1188085' first='Sione' last='Kaho']. The question becomes does he have the weapons around him for them to make a run as a team?   The Abes have a legit line, but others will need to step up. I would expect [player_tooltip player_id='995881' first='JT' last='Williams'] to have a monster year at RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1368334' first='Elijah' last='Carney'] to show why both Oregon and Tennessee offered.