Monroe junior receiver Aaron Clifton checks for defenders while taking a long reception to the house during a game against Mountlake Terrace on Sept. 29 at Monroe High School. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe junior receiver Aaron Clifton checks for defenders while taking a long reception to the house during a game against Mountlake Terrace on Sept. 29 at Monroe High School. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Prep football power rankings after Week 5

Here are our top 8 local teams after all the action from Thursday and Friday.

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.

Talk to us

More in Sports

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) gets tackled with the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 in Seattle. The 49ers won 31-13. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Seahawks look for a better showing against the 49ers

Coach Pete Carroll felt the team wasn’t prepared for the rivals’ matchup two weeks ago.

Arlington sophomore wrestler Tre Haines grabs the leg of his teammate during practice on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington wrestlers aim for more postseason success

The Eagles feature a standout trio of state placers from last season, including a state champion and runner-up.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, Dec. 7

Prep results for Thursday, Dec. 7: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

The Everett Elite Flag Football 14-under team practices Sunday morning at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington on January 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Community roundup: MP grad Davis earns silver with Fiji national team

Trina Davis helps Fiji women’s soccer at the Pacific Games, hammer throwers earn All-American nod, and locals take home collegiate all-league honors.

Arlington’s Dustin Baxter flexes after winning the 170 pound weight class match on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Extra time with clubs helps Arlington wrestlers Baxter, Haines excel

Before high school, Dustin Baxter and Tre Haines wrestled together on an Arlington-based club team.

Lake Stevens head coach Tom Tri hugs quarterback Kolton Matson after the Vikings’ victory against Graham-Kapowsin in the WIAA 4A Football State Championship on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Patterson: Lake Stevens reaches dynasty level with 2nd state title

The Vikings join an exclusive group of Snohomish County football history.

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, Dec. 6

Prep results for Wednesday, Dec. 6: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Nov. 27-Dec. 3

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Nov. 27-Dec. 3. Voting closes… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, Dec. 5

Prep results for Tuesday, Dec. 5: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

X
Tips show they can hang with best in split with Prince George

Everett played a pair of tight games against the WHL’s top team, despite missing some key pieces.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, Dec. 4

Prep results for Monday, Dec. 4: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: Report results and… Continue reading

Washington running back Dillon Johnson (7) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against Oregon during the second half of the Pac-12 championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Huskies receive No. 2 seed, face Texas in CFP semifinals

Washington gets a postseason rematch in the Sugar Bowl. Michigan gets the No. 1 seed.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.