The teams that have held a firm grip on the top four spots in The Herald’s weekly prep football power rankings kept rolling during Week 7.
One clinched a league championship and two more inched closer to their conference crowns. The other, well, they wrapped that up the week before.
But it wasn’t quite the same showing for the teams holding the bottom few spots. As a result, two teams make their debuts this week. Here’s how things shake out heading into Week 8:
1. Lake Stevens Vikings
Record: 6-1
Last week’s ranking: 1
Why they’re here: After another blowout win in Wesco 4A play, a tenth consecutive league championship is just two wins away for Lake Stevens, which has outscored both its league opponents by a combined 113-9. The program’s league winning streak is now up to 56 games. All signs are pointing towards a third straight de facto Wesco 4A title clash with Glacier Peak to close the regular season in Week 9.
2. Arlington Eagles
Record: 7-0
Last week’s ranking: 2
Why they’re here: The Eagles finished an unbeaten run through Wesco 3A North with a thrashing of Oak Harbor last Friday. The victory completed a remarkable stretch in which Arlington scored at least six TDs and allowed two or fewer in every game in what’s proven to be the tougher of Wesco 3A’s two divisions over the years. To put things into perspective, Arlington’s averaging scoring differential of plus-34.5 points in league games is over four points better than Marysville Pilchuck’s mark during its Class 3A state semifinalist season in 2021.
3. Monroe Bearcats
Record: 7-0
Last week’s ranking: 3
Why they’re here: There’s great defensive performances and then there’s what Monroe did to Edmonds-Woodway through the first three quarters of its Wesco 3A South title-clinching win last Friday. The Bearcats held an offense with proven weapons scoreless to the tune of just 49 yards and two first downs in the game’s first 36 minutes. It was just part of an all-around night that helped the program cement its third consecutive conference crown, 15th straight league win and status as Wesco 3A South gatekeeper.
4. King’s Knights
Record: 7-0
Last week’s ranking: 4
Why they’re here: Sticking with the theme of dominance, King’s earned yet another decisive victory in the Emerald Sound Conference in Week 7. The Knights led 42-7 by halftime against South Whidbey, and, as absurd as it may sound, that was actually a closer halftime margin than the week prior against Sultan. King’s, which holds two non-league wins over top-10 1A teams, appears to have its toughest league test with a trip to Granite Falls on Friday.
5. Glacier Peak Grizzlies
Record: 5-2
Last week’s ranking: 5
Why they’re here: The Grizzlies are among the hottest teams in the area and picked up a quality non-league win over Marysville Pilchuck last week. Glacier Peak, winner of four straight, has a stifling defense to thank for its run. The Grizzlies have surrendered just 19 total points during the their winning streak, including holding MP to a season-low seven points. They’re getting it done in multiple ways offensively, too. After Lucas Entler threw five touchdown passes two weeks ago, Chrisvin Bonshe broke out for 175 rushing yards and three TDs last week.
6. Marysville Getchell Chargers
Record: 5-2
Last week’s ranking: NR
Why they’re here: The Chargers are perhaps the most surprising story locally this fall. After many years of struggles and being picked to finish last in The Herald’s preseason Wesco 3A North coaches poll, Marysville Getchell has a chance to finish second in the league, which would clinch a Week 10 playoff spot. The Chargers’ storybook season isn’t short on drama either. They’ve won three straight by one point.
7. Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks
Record: 4-3
Last week’s ranking: 7
Why they’re here: It’s been a tough go for the Tomahawks since their 4-0 start. Marysville Pilchuck has suffered three straight losses, but they’ve all come against quality opponents in Arlington, Ferndale and Glacier Peak. MP now finds itself in a much more precarious position than three weeks ago. Although, second place in the league is still attainable.
8. Granite Falls Tigers
Record: 6-1
Last week’s ranking: NR
Why they’re here: After going 31 years between their first and second state playoff appearances, the Tigers are knocking on the door of two state trips in three seasons. Granite Falls has won five straight and needs to win just one of its final two games to secure one of the Emerald Sound Conference’s two state berths. The Tigers will be a major underdog, but they also have a chance to clinch the conference championship on their home turf against 1A second-ranked King’s on Friday.
Next up: Edmonds-Woodway Warriors (5-2)/Mountlake Terrace Hawks (5-2)
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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