Washington (WIAA) high school football playoff picture, rankings, dangerous teams (10/31/2024)

The Washington high school football playoffs are almost upon us, and many teams in each classification are still in position to increase their potential rankings.

The top 32 teams in Class 4A, 3A and 2A will be in the state playoffs starting next week, and Class 1A will have a round of 24.

And starting Nov. 7, the WIAA playoffs will be underway.

Here’s the playoff picture entering the final week of regular season games. These are not final playoff rankings.

CLASS 4A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Camas, Sumner, Gonzaga Prep, Chiawana

Is there a playoff favorite?: Really flips a coin between Camas and Sumner, who have matching rosters and schedules.

RPI seed from subtraction: Kennedy Catholic at No. 10. The strength of schedule isn’t great, but the Lancers’ top 15 to 20 players are as good as any roster in the state (and were in the state quarterfinals in 2023).

Who is an off-the-radar team that no one wants to see?: Bothell. Running the ball more with the explosive Wyatt Mickelberry and 4A winner KingCo could be a bit much in November.

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CLASS 3A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Bellevue, O’Dea, Eastside Catholic, Lakes

Is there a playoff favorite?: It has to be the Wolverines, who rolled through KingCo foes and beat two-time defending Class 4A champion Lake Stevens on the road.

RPI seed from subtraction: Roosevelt at No. 17. No legitimate state candidate with so much college-ready talent should be rated so low.

Who is an off-the-radar team that no one wants to see?: Central Valley. The Bears are tough and physical, run the ball with Beau Butner — and close to knocking off top-ranked 4A Gonzaga Prep.

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CLASS 2A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Tumwater, Anacortes, West Valley of Spokane, Lynden

Is there a playoff favorite?: Take the teams that met for the WIAA title a year ago – Tumwater (defeated three 4A teams) and Anacortes, which still boasts massive firepower.

RPI seed from subtraction: Prosser at 20. The Mustangs hit Othello and are playing great right now behind dual signal caller Jacob Rainer.

Who is an off-the-radar team that no one wants to see?: Sehome. He plays in the toughest league in the state and has skill position talent everywhere to scare defensive coordinators.

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CLASS 1A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Royal, Seton Catholic or La Center (winner this week is No. 2, loser is No. 3), Cashmere

Is there a playoff favorite?: Well duh! The Knights swept away anyone standing in their way to the four-peat last year – and now they can make history with another championship.

RPI seed from subtraction: Life Christian Academy at No. 9. 1A Nisqually hasn’t provided much help in the ratings, but it still wouldn’t surprise anyone to see this team in the Final Four.

Who is an off-the-radar team that no one wants to see?: There are three run-oriented offenses built for the playoffs in the No. 16-22 – Tenino, Mount Baker and Rochester.

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CLASS 2B

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Okanogan, Onalaska, Napavine, Asotin (if Northwest Christian beats) or Freeman (if Asotin loses to Northwest Christian).

Is there a playoff favorite?: Okanogan, the defending state champion, with most of its team returning. He could be the surest favorite in any of the six classifications.

RPI seed from subtraction: Napavine at No. 10. Yes, the Tigers have losses to 1A Life Christian and Montesano and have suffered injuries. But they become healthier at the right time.

Who is an off-the-radar team that no one wants to see?: Liberty Bell. He won back-to-back 1B titles and the Paz brothers/cousin are scary in the open field as big hitters.

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CLASS 1B

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Liberty Christian, Wilbur-Creston-Keller, Neah Bay, Naselle

Is there a playoff favorite?: Liberty Christian handed Neah Bay, ACH and DeSales all first downs and has the depth and balance to get a big shot in December.

RPI seed from subtraction: ACH at No. 11. The Warriors’ losses are top two teams, but they’re easily a top-five team at worst.

Who is an off-the-radar team that no one wants to see?: Quicenes. After a few injury-riddled seasons, they came back big and physical, dropping a close game to Neah Bay.

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