The News Tribune’s Week 9 Football State Rankings

CLASS 4A
1. Eastlake (8-0)
2. Bellarmine Prep (8-0)
3. Chiawana (7-0)
4. Ferris (7-1)
5. Woodinville (8-0)
6. Federal Way (8-0)
7. Mead (7-1)
8. Olympia (7-1)
9. Skyline (5-3)
10. Lake Stevens (8-0)
Next: Bethel (6-2), Eisenhower (7-1), Issaquah (6-2), Kentlake (8-0), Kentwood (6-2), Lewis & Clark (6-2), Richland (6-2), Skyview (6-2), Spokane Central Valley (6-2), Union (7-1)

The rankings were put through a blender this week. And I’m uncertain how I feel about the finished product.

Eastlake, Bellarmine Prep and Chiawana remain the top three teams, but there’s been a shake-up among the next seven spots.

First, Skyline, which lost 28-21 to No. 1 Eastlake, falls from fourth to ninth. Yes, the three-loss Spartans remain in the Top 10. Frankly, I considered dropping Skyline from the rankings, but didn’t and here’s why:

– Skyline lost by seven points to the top-ranked team in Class 4A. That’s a Top 10-worthy performance, by any measure.

– Skyline’s three losses have all come to top-ranked teams (Bellevue in 3A, Eastlake in 4A and Lake Oswego, which should be the No. 1 6A team in Oregon this week). And all games have been close.

– Not all leagues are equal. This has been proven season after season when two- and three-loss teams from one league will romp over undefeated and one-loss teams from another league. Ultimately, this factor weighed most heavily in my decision to keep Skyline in the Top 10.

I know not everyone will agree – and that’s why we’ve got the playoffs.

The flipside of keeping Skyline in the rankings, coupled with the return of Greater Spokane League-leading Mead to the Top 10 – the Panthers check in at No. 7 – means that one team must fall out. Here’s where I wrestled with a quandary: Kentlake or Lake Stevens, which team should stay in the rankings?

Lake Stevens got the nod. The Vikings, led by dual-threat quarterback Jake Nelson, have scored more points and allowed fewer than Kentlake. I like that Kentlake has shown a knack for winning close games – that’s huge in the postseason – but Lake Stevens’ résumé seemed a bit more impressive.

Kentlake isn’t the only unranked team that’s put together a Top 10-worthy season. Cases can be made for Bethel, Eisenhower, Skyview and Union.

CLASS 3A
1. Bellevue (8-0)
2. Lakes (8-0)
3. O’Dea (8-0)
4. Kamiakin (8-0)
5. Camas (7-1)
6. Meadowdale (8-0)
7. Peninsula (7-1)
8. Seattle Prep (7-1)
9. Oak Harbor (8-0)
10. Kennewick (7-1)
Next: Capital (5-3), Eastside Catholic (5-3), Kennedy Catholic (7-1), Mercer Island (6-2), Mount Si (5-3), Mountain View (6-2)

Seattle Prep, previously ranked tenth, lost 21-20 to third-ranked O’Dea last week. The Panthers came close to winning, but a failed two-point conversion at the end of the fourth quarter ended their upset bid. Despite the loss, Seattle Prep climbs two spots to No. 8.

No other ranked teams lost in Week 8. Big game this week is No. 9 Oak Harbor vs. No. 6 Meadowdale.

CLASS 2A
1. Lynden (8-0)
2. Tumwater (6-1)
3. Prosser (7-1)
4. North Thurston (7-1)
5. Othello (6-2)
6. Archbishop Murphy (7-1)
7. W.F. West (7-1)
8. Deer Park (7-1)
9. Lakewood (7-1)
10. North Kitsap (5-3)
Next: Cheney (7-1), Ellensburg (6-2), Franklin Pierce (6-2) Mount Baker (6-2), Port Angeles (6-2), Sequim (7-1), Spokane West Valley (6-2), White River (6-2)

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but Lynden is the only remaining team with a perfect record in Class 2A, which is the only classification with one undefeated team.

Previously-undefeated Sequim falls out of the rankings after losing to North Kitsap, 33-13. North Kitsap, which handed Port Angeles its first loss of the season last week, makes its Top 10 debut at No. 10 this week.

CLASS 1A
1. Cashmere (8-0)
2. Montesano (8-0)
3. Connell (7-1)
4. Chelan (5-3)
5. Meridian (6-2)
6. Cascade Christian (6-2)
7. Cle Elum/Roslyn (7-1)
8. Royal (6-2)
9. Hoquiam (7-1)
10. King’s (6-2)
Next: Burbank Columbia (6-2), Charles Wright (6-1), Freeman (7-1), Hoquiam (6-1), Life Christian (5-3), Nooksack Valley (6-2), River View (6-2), Tenino (7-1), Zillah (6-2)

Last week, Connell dumped Royal, 49-28, and Meridian thumped Nooksack Valley, 48-13. Royal drops to eighth, while the Pioneers, whose losses have come to ranked teams, exit the Top 10.

CLASS 2B
1. Waitsburg-Prescott (8-0)
2. Colfax (7-0)
3. Naselle (8-0)
4. Morton/White Pass (6-1)
5. Napavine (7-1)
Next: Adna (7-1), DeSales (5-2), Lind-Ritzville/Sprague (6-1), Reardan (5-2)

CLASS 1B
1. Lummi (8-0)
2. Almira/Coulee-Hartline (8-0)
3. Neah Bay (6-1)
4. Touchet (7-0)
5. Colton (7-1)
Next: Cusick (5-3), King’s Way Christian (4-1), Lopez (5-0), Odessa/Harrington (5-2), Pomeroy (5-1), Wellpinit (7-1)