WHSBLA - Divisional Ranking Update
Here are the current top five teams based upon 4A, 3A, 1A/2A and PV school divisions.
1A/2A Division - Top 5
1. Seattle Academy – Metro (10-1)
This team started out demolishing every other team they faced, typically by over 10 goals each. Their first loss came by an unstoppable Ballard team last week and they barely beat Roosevelt 9-8 last Friday. This team can’t slow down now as the play-offs are right around the corner.
2. Archbishop Murphy – Northwest (9-0)
Not a lot of competition for Archbishop Murphy as they have owned this season and won every game they’ve played. They haven’t had a game in a few weeks and their final one of regular season comes May 9. We’ll see if the long break was beneficial or hurtful once the play-offs start.
3. Vashon – Olympic (8-3)
Vashon has taken the lead in the Olympic conference with two of their losses coming by only a goal. Their defense has been impressive all year as six of their opponents struggled to score over 5 goals on them. Hopefully they can translate that tough defense once they enter the play-offs.
4. White River – Pierce County (6-1)
White River has had more luck in their conference games this year than the non-league games they have played. They have lost to teams like Issaquah (2-4) and Rogers (6-5) who sit on the bottoms of their conferences. They will need to bring the heat in the play-offs if they are to have a deep run.
5. Overlake – Metro (7-3)
Overlake has had a successful year but is seriously lacking on offensive power with a season average of 8 goals a game. They have been trumped by their Seattle Academy counterparts in the conference but a 7-3 record is something to be proud of when playing for Metro.
3A Division - Top 5
1. Bellevue – KingCo (7-1)
The state champs are having another phenomenal season sweeping nearly every opponent they played against. They went through some coaching changes shortly after their trip to Texas, which may have played a part in their 6-4 upset to Mercer Island on their final game of the year. This team is still very much a threat as their offense still averages 11 goals per game.
2. Mercer Island – KingCo (6-1)
For a team in its growing period they really have grown a lot this season. Ever since their trip to Pennsylvania their defense has allowed a total of 15 goals in three games! They have a chance of taking the top ranked spot in KingCo, if they beat Bothell, as they are looking very poised for the play-offs.
3. Bainbridge – Metro (5-3)
Not a terrible season for Bainbridge as they have beaten teams like Mercer Island, Seattle Prep and O’Dea. They had really rough non-league games this year but have been winning the games that matter as they will look towards the playoffs. They’ll automatically begin with a BYE on the first round but will likely play either Bonney Lake (10-0) or Stanwood (9-0) in the second round.
4. Stanwood – Wesco (9-0)
This team hasn’t broken a sweat all year in their conference games. Their toughest games came in their non-league matches with one loss coming by Issaquah in the beginning of April. They will face Bonney Lake in the first round of the playoffs.
5. Juanita – KingCo (2-4)
Really tough start to the season for the Juanita Rebels as they were only winning their non-league games and losing every conference game until recently. Their only two wins came last week but they will still have a chance to prove themselves in the play-offs this year. Their record doesn’t do them a lot of justice as their defense is averaging them 7.5 goals allowed on average. If they can tighten up these games and hold onto a lead they could surprise some people in the play-offs this season.
4A Division - Top 5
1. Skyline – KingCo (6-1)
This team has done some amazing things all year beating teams like Mercer Island and Eastside Catholic as well as winning 2-of-3 of their games in Texas. They are likely to hold the number one seed for KingCo as they could have a deep play-off run.
2. Tahoma – Puget Sound (10-0)
Tahoma has enjoyed a great year averaging 16 goals per game and dominating every team in the Puget Sound conference. The trick here though is they were stomped by Eastside Catholic early in the season with their lowest scoring game of 18-3. How will they fair against teams like Skyline, who know how to move around high scoring offenses like the Crusaders?
3. Eastlake – KingCo (4-3)
A lot of ups and downs for the Wolves this season only able to win every other game they have played this year. They currently have more total points against them then for, as they will need to tighten up their defense if they want a deep play-off run this season.
4. Jackson – Wesco (8-2)
Jackson has had a good year with one of their losses coming in their season opener where they only lost by a goal. They have been handily defeating their teams by larger and larger margins as the season has progressed. They will face the third ranked KingCo team in the play-offs this year as they are looking increasingly prepared every week.
5. Woodinville – KingCo (2-4)
There’s a guaranteed spot in the play-offs for any 4A KingCo team that is not bottom ranked. Woodinville shares this spot with Issaquah but they are half a game on top from beating them at the beginning of April. Ironically that was their last win of season so far as they will need to find some motivation to get them through the play-offs.
Private School Division - Top Five
1. Eastside Catholic – Metro (7-0)
Eastside Catholic has enjoyed another great year only losing two non-league games that came down to a goal each. Head coach Charles Goodman has groomed his offense averaging nearly 17 goals per game this season. They will most likely have the number one seed in the Private play-off bracket unless they lose their final three games and Seattle Prep sweeps their remaining schedule, which is highly unlikely.
2. Seattle Prep – Metro (5-3)
This Seattle Prep team is arguably the only threat to Eastside Catholic’s championship chances. Two of their three losses were only by a goal or two. Their biggest loss came by the Crusaders who handily defeated them 20-5 in the early part of the season. They will need to tighten up their offense if they are to keep pace with the team that has been terrorizing everyone all year.
3. O’Dea – Metro (4-4)
It hasn’t been the best year for the Fighting Irish as they are close to ending their season with a losing record. They will still have a spot in play-offs as the Private bracket allows the top three Metro schools. They need a lot of work on defense if they want a shot at the trophy as they’ve allowed an average of 11 goals a game.
4. Gonzaga Prep – Greater Spokane (2-5)
An unexpected record for a team that only lost one conference game last year. They won their first two games of the year but have slumped dramatically since as they haven’t scored more than 10 goals in a game since March 18. They will have to face a tough Metro team in play-offs so lets hope they will be ready.
5. Kennedy Catholic – Puget Sound (2-6)
Kennedy Catholic has allowed the most goals this season among their Private school peers. The play-off berth will be between them and Bellarmine Prep (2-8) depending on how the final week plays out.
Story by Michael Thornbloom