Here’s how the area’s pecking order shakes out in the penultimate edition of The Herald’s weekly prep football power rankings:
1. Lake Stevens Vikings
Record: 7-1
Last week’s ranking: 1
Why they’re here: Lake Stevens needed just two quarters to pile up a 41-point lead in a drubbing of Kamiak last week. Needless to say, the offense and defense have both gotten it done while beating teams by an average of 50.3 points in three Wesco 4A games. The only thing standing between the Vikings and a 10th consecutive league title is a familiar nemesis in Glacier Peak, which Lake Stevens has beat in all seven meetings since the Grizzlies joined Wesco 4A in 2016. As of Tuesday, it’s been 3,672 days since the Vikings’ most recent league defeat.
2. Arlington Eagles
Record: 8-0
Last week’s ranking: 2
Why they’re here: The Eagles didn’t score six touchdowns for the first time all season in Week 8, but five touchdowns was plenty thanks to a shutout from the defense. Arlington’s defense is second in the area with just 8.8 points allowed per game and has yet to give up more than 14 points in a game. The unit figures to be key in a showdown with an equally dominant Monroe squad coming to town for the Wesco 3A title game Friday.
3. Monroe Bearcats
Record: 8-0
Last week’s ranking: 3
Why they’re here: Monroe finished its second consecutive unbeaten run through Wesco 3A South last Friday. The Bearcats fittingly did it in overwhelming fashion with a 48-point victory over Snohomish, the perennial power in the league before Monroe’s arrival, to improve their average margin of victory to 42.2 points in league games this season. Monroe leads the area in fewest points allowed (7.6 per game) and is second in points scored (47 per game).
4. King’s Knights
Record: 8-0
Last week’s ranking: 4
Why they’re here: After a close first half, the Knights pulled away in the second half against Granite Falls last week in what appeared to be their toughest test in the Emerald Sound Conference this fall. King’s got it done with a stellar performance from its run game in a night where it controlled the line of scrimmage throughout. The Knights can seal up their fourth consecutive league crown with a win this week and help assure themselves a top seeding when the state playoffs roll around.
5. Glacier Peak Grizzlies
Record: 6-2
Last week’s ranking: 5
Why they’re here: The Grizzlies posted another complete effort against Jackson to earn their fifth consecutive win last week. A fourth-quarter fumble return for a TD ended Glacier Peak’s shutout bid against the Timberwolves, but the defense didn’t allow a point for the third time in the past five weeks. The run game also produced another standout performance with nearly 300 yards for a second straight week.
6. Marysville Getchell Chargers
Record: 6-2
Last week’s ranking: 6
Why they’re here: After winning just two games last season, the Chargers have clinched the first winning record in program history. They also find themselves in a favorable position to reach the Week 10 playoffs for the first time in their Week 9 crossover matchup against Wesco 3A South No. 4 Shorecrest. Alongside Glacier Peak, Marysville Getchell’s five-game winning streak is tops in the area among non-unbeaten teams.
7. Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks
Record: 5-3
Last week’s ranking: 7
Why they’re here: The Tomahawks broke out for a season-high 41 points last week to snap a three-game slide after a red-hot start to the season. With a balanced attack and strong group in the trenches, MP could be a dark-horse team in the postseason if it can regain its early-season form. The program can seal up its fourth consecutive Week 10 playoff appearance with a win over Wesco 3A South No. 5 Snohomish in its crossover tilt Friday.
8. Archbishop Murphy Wildcats
Record: 4-4
Last week’s ranking: NR
Why they’re here: It’s been quite the turnaround for one of the area’s most decorated program. After suffering through a 12-game losing streak that included a winless 2022, Archbishop Murphy just knocked off a high-caliber Sedro-Woolley squad to reach .500. The 4-4 record might not stand out, but it’s come against a rigorous schedule in what’s regularly Class 2A’s toughest league. Three of the losses have come against teams with legitimate aspirations of deep playoff runs in their respective classifications, including a close 28-21 loss to two-time defending 2A state champion Lynden.
Next up: Edmonds-Woodway Warriors (6-2)
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