PACIFIC NW FOOTBALL RISING

Something is happening and only a few of us have picked up on it. But we all should take great pride in this as it is having a lasting effect on High School Sports in our Region.  High School Football talent in the Pacific Northwest is on the rise as are the athletes who play the game.  That means more eyeballs looking out here from around the US for top talent.  As well they should be.  After all the Northwest is producing top athletes year after year and we have pointed out that the number is on the rise.

The prestigious Rivals 100 came out today.  It is updated every week as as it is we see more and more squads from the Pacific Northwest moving up that list.  Partly it is because guys like me lobby and hassle our crack team of Nationwide Analysts to look hard at our teams.  But mainly is it because we have the teams and kids to back up a top national rating.

Here is the List as of Today:  Rivals High Top 100

Let’s Have a Look at the Teams Making The List today

Bellevue Checks in at #5 in the Nation.  That has to be as high as they have ever been.  With one game left and a perfect 13-0 the Wolverines can finish any where from #1 to #5 with a win over O’Dea who are also in consideration for the Nations Top 100.

  The Sheldon Irish made a big move up the list this week by shutting down a top rated Grant General team from Portland.  The Irish have not had a close game all season and are heading into the quarterfinals against a Top 4 Central Catholic squad and are 12-0.  This is one explosive team and based upon the offensive production and the strength of this Roster this squad has moved all the way to #24 in the Nation.

This will be an interesting finish and a Top 20 National Ranking is in the cards potentially.

The Lake Oswego Lakers:  While the Lakers moved up they did not move up quite as far.  That was mainly a result of analysts feeling their opponent last week in Roseburg was not quite as tough as Sheldon had to face.

No matter.  The Lakers are tracking a perfect season at 12-0 and are on the verge of a State Title.  Now they have been here before and come up empty handed so no National ranking is going to mean anything.  It is a Ring they seek.

The Lakers are rated #42 and headed to a rematch with a much improved Jesuit squad this week in the semi-finals.

The Lakes Lancers:  The boys from Lakewood were on fire and undefeated.  No one had even come close until they ran into a Bellevue squad in the Quarterfinals that they simply could not stop.  It was a good game.  Close at times before the Wolverines pulled away.  Still they made their mark again this year.

The home o 2 All Americans in Zach Banner and Cedric Dozier the Lancers wrap up the year at #49 in the Nation at 11-1

The Cour d’Alene Vikings:  #92 12-0 and State Champions 5A

Many people say this is actually the best team in the Pacific Northwest and while we will never know it is safe to say they could be.  They defeated the SKYVIEW STORM early in 2011 and it was not really that close.  Now Skyview is in the 4A Big School Championship in Washington so what does that mean?  Led by QB Chad Chalich at QB who racked up 4,200 yards and 56 TDs the Vikings made their case and will no doubt be looked at to move higher before this final ranking is over.

OTHER TEAMS ON THE BUBBLE:

O’Dea (Washington)– Undefeated and Playing Bellevue for the Title.  They will move up this week either way.

Sherwood (Oregon)–  Undefeated and they beat the Skyview squad mentioned above.  They will take on a tough Mountainview Squad in the 5A Championship this week.

Skyview Storm (Washington):  The 11-2 storm are rolling into the championship next weekend.  Their only losses to Cour d’Alene and to Sherwood noted above.

Mountain View Cougars (Oregon):  11-1.  The other 5A Team in Oregon who only lost to Sherwood and just best a very tough Marist squad who people widely believed were unbeatable.  They will get their shot this weekend as the rematch between they and the Bowmen is a Title Game.

Others:  Skyline (Washington), Jesuit (Portland, Or), Central Catholic (Portland, Or) Kamiakin (Washington)

In conclusion the State of Northwest Football is alive and well.  The interest in our kids and our teams is at an all time high.  In the West there are fewer scholarship schools then anywhere else in the country so this rise in National position and ranking is no small part of an overall movement to find a home for these athletes.

We wish all the teams of the Northwest the very best and congratulate these excellent teams on their National rankings.
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Dirk Knudsen

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.