Week 5 of the prep football season saw three unbeaten teams suffer their first loss, a pair of conference favorites deliver resounding wins and the continuation of an impressive non-league run in Class 1A.
Here’s how things shake out in The Herald’s power rankings heading into Week 6:
1. Lake Stevens Vikings
Record: 4-1
Last week’s ranking: 1
Why they’re here: Lake Stevens began Wesco 4A play with a familiar result, another lopsided victory. After beating Jackson 42-3, the Vikings have won 55 consecutive league games dating back to 2013. Lake Stevens gets what looks to be its toughest remaining test of their regular-season schedule with a trip to face 4A seventh-ranked Eastlake in a non-league game Friday.
2. Arlington Eagles
Record: 5-0
Last week’s ranking: 2
Why they’re here: It’s been a remarkable start to the season for Arlington, which has won all five of its games by at least 32 points. The latest victim of the Eagles’ dominant run was rival Stanwood, which gave Arlington its 12th Stilly Cup victory in the past 13 meetings. The Eagles are getting it done on both sides of the ball, averaging 45.6 points per game while surrendering just 10 per contest. They’re also closing in on the Wesco 3A North title, which they can seal up with a victory over Marysville Pilchuck this week.
3. Monroe Bearcats
Record: 5-0
Last week’s ranking: 3
Why they’re here: Monroe passed its biggest test of the season thus far with a convincing 35-10 win over previously unbeaten Mountlake Terrace last Friday. The victory further cemented the Bearcats’ status as Wesco 3A South favorite, extending their league winning streak to 12 games. Monroe’s speed is a problem for opponents in all facets of the game. It was on full display against the Hawks from the opening whistle with Mason Davis returning a kick for a score, receivers picking up piles of yards after the catch and defenders consistently flying in for gang tackles near the line of scrimmage.
4. King’s Knights
Record: 5-0
Last week’s ranking: 5
Why they’re here: King’s just keeps winning big games. First, it was fellow 1A state title contender Nooksack Valley in Week 3, then a blowout of 2022 1A state runner-up Mount Baker in Week 4 and most recently a dramatic come-from-behind 15-13 win in the fourth quarter against 1A eighth-ranked Cascade Christian. The Knights have clearly shown they can beat top-level teams, and they can do it in pressure-packed situations as well.
5. Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks
Record: 4-1
Last week’s ranking: 4
Why they’re here: Marysville Pilchuck’s chances at an outright Wesco 3A North championship took a major blow last Friday in a 47-28 loss to fellow league-title-hopeful Ferndale. The Tomahawks still have a path and can at the very least create some chaos this week if they can find a way to solve powerful Arlington, which would set up a potential three-way tie for the league championship between MP, Ferndale and Arlington.
6. Glacier Peak Grizzlies
Record: 3-2
Last week’s ranking: 8
Why they’re here: Glacier Peak delivered a strong showing with a 38-12 victory over Mariner in its Wesco 4A opener last Friday. The Grizzlies broke out for a season-high 38 points with big chunk plays coming in both the running and passing games, as well as a kickoff return TD from senior Isaiah Cuellar, his second of the season. With Kamiak on the schedule this week, Glacier Peak can further reaffirm its position as Lake Stevens’ top challenger in Wesco 4A.
7. Edmonds-Woodway Warriors
Record: 4-1
Last week’s ranking: NR
Why they’re here: Edmonds-Woodway has been rolling since a tough Week 1 loss to Marysville Pilchuck, racking up four straight victories by an average of 31 points. The defense has been getting done in recent weeks with just 13 points allowed and a whopping 11 turnovers forced during the winning streak. The passing game has started to pick up steam too. Senior Steven Warren Jr. has tossed 11 TDs during the stretch.
8. Mountlake Terrace Hawks
Record: 4-1
Last week’s ranking: 6
Why they’re here: Mountlake Terrace’s bid at a 5-0 start never gained much traction in its loss to Monroe last Friday. After their initial drive stalled in the red zone for a field goal, the Hawks were only able to get inside the Bearcats’ 20-yard line one more time. The defense also struggled to contain Monroe’s speedy receivers after the catch. But Terrace still finds itself in a favorable position in Wesco 3A South that includes a direct path to a non-elimination Week 9 crossover game.
Next up: Darrington Loggers (5-0)
Note: The Herald’s high school football power rankings place the top eight teams in the area. Consideration is given to current record, strength of schedule and recent success. The rankings will also consider a team’s strength relative to its own classification. For example, if a Class 1A team is ranked above a 4A school, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’d favor the 1A team in a head-to-head matchup.
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