MaxPreps 2013 Washington Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Washington powerhouse Bellevue shows no signs of slowing, as the Wolverines are once again the team to beat heading into the season.
Photo by Jeff Napier
14-0, Class 3A state champions
Head coach: Butch Goncharoff
Team previewDon't count on this being the year somebody steps up and ends Bellevue's legendary run under Goncharoff. The Wolverines have won 10 state championships in the last 12 seasons — including five in a row — and enter the fall on a 40-game win streak. The 2012 team may have been the best yet, outscoring opponents 635-72 over 14 games.
Budda Baker (5-10, 175, Sr.) is an elite playmaker on both sides of the ball and earned All-State honors as a junior as a defensive back. He also rushed for over 1,000 yards and is one to avoid in the return game. Washington State commitment
Marcus Griffin (6-3, 300, Sr., DL),
Timmy Haehl (6-1, 190, Sr., QB),
Morgan Richie (6-5, 275, Sr., OL) and
Henry Roberts (6-6, 255, Jr., OL) headline the list of remaining returnees.
See the Top 15 Washington football dynasties2. Skyline (Sammamish)2012 finish: 14-0, Class 4A state champions
Head coach: Mat Taylor
Team previewThe Spartans lost current USC quarterback Max Browne along with their top three rushers, top 10 receivers and seven of their top eight tacklers from a year ago. But folks in Washington know not to write off Skyline, which has won seven state titles since 2000 and six in the last eight years. At quarterback, Taylor and staff are expected to turn to Florida transfer
Kilton Anderson (6-3, 200, Sr.). The South Alabama commitment brings a more athletic presence to the position than Skyline enjoyed with Browne and Jake Heaps. Other key returners include
Cole Blackburn (5-10, 170, Sr., WR/DB),
Michael Cowin (5-10, 170, Sr., WR/DB),
Sam Mix (6-0, 180, Sr., WR/DB) and
Josh Wright (6-1, 220, Sr., DL). The new-look Spartans will find out exactly where they stand Sept. 7 against No. 1 Bellevue at the University of Washington's revamped Husky Stadium.
See our Washington football professional photo galleries3. Eastside Catholic (Sammamish)2012 finish: 13-1, Class 3A runner-up
Head coach: Jeremy Thielbahr
Team previewThielbahr is one of the state's rising young coaching stars and would love to solidify that status by knocking Bellevue off its perch in the 3A ranks. A young, physically impressive Crusader squad went on a tear in the playoffs a year ago and could be one of the more serious threats to the Wolverine dynasty. Returning running backs
Henry Jarvis (5-10, 215, Sr.) and
Brandon Wellington (6-0, 180, So.) combined for nearly 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago and should be the focal point of the offense. On the other side of the ball,
Deion Fetui (6-0, 305, Jr., DL),
Elisha Pa'aga (5-10, 255, Sr., DL) and
Cody Baker (6-4, 240, Jr., DL) could comprise the best defensive line in the state.
See last season's final Washington football rankings, presented by the Army National Guard4. Camas2012 finish: 12-1, Class 4A semifinalist
Head coach: Jon Eagle
Team previewA former punching bag in southwest Washington, the Papermakers have emerged as that region's biggest bully under head coach Jon Eagle. Prior to the team's semifinal loss to Skyline last season, Camas was averaging over 50 points per game while limiting opponents to just 16. Camas is the only program in Washington returning a pair of first team All-Staters with coach's kid
Zach Eagle (5-8, 160, Jr., WR) and
Drew Clarkson (6-4, 275, Sr., OL). Camas will get a big-time early test against perennial Oregon power Jesuit (Portland) in the season opener Sept. 6.
See last season's Washington football playoff brackets5. Federal Way2012 finish: 11-1, Class 4A quarterfinalist
Head coach: John Meagher
Team previewLong viewed as a basketball school, Federal Way has surged to prominence on the gridiron over the past two seasons by going 21-2. The Eagles waved goodbye to a special senior class in June but re-tooling will be made a bit easier thanks to the presence of perhaps the state's most electric playmaker in junior
Chico McClatcher (5-7, 165). The "Blue Mamba" has offers from several Pac-12 schools and piled up 17 TDs as a sophomore. Federal Way returns four other players who earned South Puget Sound League South Division honors a year ago in
Keenan Curran (6-2, 185, Sr., DB),
Jared Pulu (6-3, 215, Sr., LB),
Jay-Tee Tiulu (6-3, 285, Sr., DL) and
David Tiumalu (6-1, 255, Jr., OL).
See last season's Washington All-League football teams
