SBLive/SI Top 50 Washington high school football preseason rankings (Nos. 1-10)

Who ends up with the top spot - 4A champion Lake Stevens or 3A champion Bellevue?

Brock Beaner, left, and Tyler Olson close in on a tackle during Anacortes' 60-30 win over Tumwater to win WIAA Class 2A title in 2023. / Photo by Vince Miller

So, who is the best high school football team in Washington, regardless of classification, heading into the 2024 season?

* TOP-10 RANKINGS REVELATION 'PUCKSPORTS' PODCAST

SBLive WA is revealing its Power 50 all-classification countdown - finishing up with schools ranked from No. 1-No. 10.

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Lynden's Brant Heppner led school to WIAA Class 2A championship in 2022 in Puyallup. / Photo by Todd Milles

10. LYNDEN (2A)

Coach: Blake VanDalen

Team strength: Quarterback - and championship belief

Player to watch: QB Brant Heppner

Outlook: With its size, and one more year of Heppner running show, this is biggest Anacortes rival.

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Kennedy Catholic fullback Indiana Jones was 4A NPSL player of the year in 2023 as a junior. / Photo by Todd Milles

9. KENNEDY CATHOLIC (4A)

Coach: Pat Jones

Team strength: Three- and four-year starters at key positions

Player to watch: OL/DL Derek Colman-Brusa

Outlook: Top 10-12 players are as good as anybody's in 4A. Lancers lose out on roster depth game.

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Kennewick's Alex Roberts returns in 2024 as the leading rusher in the 4A/3A Mid Columbia Conference. / Photo by Jamie Council

8. KENNEWICK (3A)

Coach: Randy Affholter

Team strength: Offensive-line depth

Player to watch: RB Alex Roberts

Outlook: Seems inevitable one of these days this tough-minded group will break through for 3A title.

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Eastlake returns three starting linebackers from its Class 4A semifinal team last fall, including Colby Johnson. / Photo by Vince Miller

7. EASTLAKE (4A)

Coach: Scott Hare

Team strength: Linebacking corps

Player to watch: QB Landon Renfroe

Outlook: Team went to 4A semifinals in Scott Hare's first season. Don't expect anything less in Year 2.

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Ninth grader Adrian Carter (class of 2028) is part of Anacortes' next wave of playmakers. / Photo by Todd Milles

6. ANACORTES (2A)

Coach: Justin Portz

Team strength: Unmatched skill-position talent in 2A

Player to watch: ATH Brady and Brock Beaner

Outlook: If new offensive line holds up, Seahawks could be on easy street toward repeat-title bliss.

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Sumner's Carter Cocke, a Montana State commit, is one of the top tight ends in the state. / Photo by Vince Miller

5. SUMNER (4A)

Coach: Keith Ross

Team strength: Pass-catching crew

Player to watch: TE Carter Cocke

Outlook: Defensive coordinators might have to adjust their thinking - Spartans will chuck it in 2024.

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Eastside Catholic's Jeremiah Burroughs enters his second season as the starting tailback in 2024. / Photo by Vince Miller

4. EASTSIDE CATHOLIC (3A)

Coach: Dominic Daste

Team strength: Defensive front

Player to watch: OL/DL Jojo Matautia

Outlook: Defense still elite, and if dual-threat transfer QB Isaac Corey ignites drowsy offense ... hello!

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Luke Webb of Camas / Photo by Dan Brood

3. CAMAS (4A)

Coach: Adam Mathieson

Team strength: Most complete roster in 4A

Player to watch: DL Luke Webb

Outlook: Yes, recent early-playoff exits loom large, but new coach Adam Mathieson will fix all that ails.

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Lake Stevens quarterback Kolton Matson was SBLive WA's state offensive MVP and Gatorade state player of the year in 2023. / Photo by Vince Miller

2. LAKE STEVENS (4A)

Coach: Tom Tri

Team strength: All-state offensive backfield

Player to watch: QB Kolton Matson

Outlook: Historic three-peat bid will primarily hinge on getting defense (10 new starters) recalibrated.

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Fullback Max Jones led Bellevue with 1,100 rushing yards during run to 2023 WIAA championship. / Photo courtesy of Max Jones

1. BELLEVUE (3A)

Coach: Michael Kneip

Team strength: Grass is very green in Bellevue

Player to watch: OL Demetri Manning and Willi Wascher

Outlook: Has lineman and running-back depth, and best Wing-T prowess in region. Enough said.

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