Here’s what THEY think . . . as The News Tribune debuts coaches’ poll

Ever wonder what teams football coaches really believe are the best in the state?

We’ve got the answers.

For the first time, The News Tribune has organized a statewide football coaches poll for the 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A classifications.

MoralesStiffArm — Coaches confirm what the rest of the state already knows - Bellevue High and tailback Ari Morales deserve to be undisputed No. 1 in 3A.

With the cooperation of more three dozen coaches from around the state, The News Tribune is releasing the preseason poll and will update the rankings after each week in the regular season.

So, what teams have the coaches pegged as favorites?

CLASS 4A

1. Skyline (9) 99
2. Skyview 80
3. Mead (1) 60
4. Bellarmine Prep 59
5. Bothell 58
6. Federal Way 36
7. Chiawana 27
8. Union 17
9. Camas 15
10. Eastlake 12

Others receiving votes: Ferris 18, Wenatchee 10, Issaquah 9, Curtis 8, Graham-Kapowsin 7, Gonzaga Prep 7, Woodinville 6, Olympia 6, Kentwood 5, Richland 4, Edmonds-Woodway 4 Central Valley 1, Lewis & Clark 1 and Tahoma 1.

Voters: Mat Taylor, Skyline; Wayne Maxwell, Woodinville; Tony Davis, Tahoma; Gavin Kralik, Bethel; Cale Piland, Union; Steve Graff, Chiwana; Dan Eyman, Eisenhower; Jim Sharkey, Ferris; Tom Tri, Lake Stevens; and Bill Beattie, Olympia.

CLASS 3A

1. Bellevue (8) 80
2. O’Dea 70
3. Kamiakin 58
4. Lakes 56
5. Meadowdale 34
6. Seattle Prep 33
7. Timberline 21
8. Mount Si 17
9. Peninsula 16
10. Eastside Catholic 15

Others receiving votes: Kennewick 9, Kennedy Catholic 8, Glacier Peak 6, Mount Spokane 6, Mercer Island 6, Oak Harbor 4, Columbia River 2, Marysville-Pilchuck 1.

Voters: Jay Turner, Oak Harbor; Brett Ogata, Mercer Island; Jamie Plenkovich, Ferndale; Garrett Cook, Seattle Prep; Dave Miller, Lakes; Adam Mathieson, Mountain View; Jason Silbaugh, Bonney Lake; Aaron Maul, Bishop Blanchet.

CLASS 2A

1. Lynden (9) 99
2. Capital (1) 80
3. Archbishop Murphy 66
4. Tumwater 65
5. Prosser 52
6. W.F. West 44
7. Lakewood 34
8. Othello 24
9. Sequim 14
Tie-10. Spokane East Valley 13
Tie-10. Ellensburg 13

Others receiving votes: Burlington-Edison 12, Lindbergh 7, Mark Morris 7, Spokane West Valley 4, Franklin Pierce 4, Cheney 3, Sedro-Woolley 3, North Kitsap 3, Deer Park 2, Yakima East Valley 1.

Voters: Curt Kramme, Lynden; Reed Richardson, Squalicum; Dan Teeter, Lakewood; Mike VonRueden, Washington; Keith Ross, Sumner; Jeff Weible, North Kitsap; Shawn Perkins, Mark Morris; Benji Sonnichsen, Prosser; Adam Fisher, Spokane East Valley; and Jim Sutrick, Lindbergh.

CLASS 1A

1. King’s (4) 81
2. Cascade Christian (2) 80
3. Montesano (2) 70
4. Connell (2) 67
5. Royal 57
6. Cashmere 48
7. Cle Elum/Roslyn 28
Tie-8. Blaine 22
Tie-8. Cedar Park Christian 22
10. Chelan 18

Others receiving votes: Meridian 17, Mount Baker 14, Hoquiam 13, Woodland 6, Quincy 4, Elma 2

Voters: Jay Dodd, Blaine; Jim Shapiro, King’s; Randy Davis, Cascade Christian; George Fairhart, Eatonville; Terry Jensen, Montesano; Mark Greenleaf, Woodland; Tim Strother, Zillah; Phil Zukowski, Cashmere; Todd Parmenter, Cedar Park Christian; Jerry King, retired (Northeast League).