The 2023 high school football season in Washington kicks off later this month and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Defending Class 3A state champion
Yelm owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
En route to the school's first state title, Yelm dominated its first 12 opponents by an average of 44.8 points per game before upending perennial powerhouses
Bellevue and
Eastside Catholic (Sammamish) in the semifinals and championship game, respectively.
Senior running back/linebacker
Brayden Platt is regarded as one of the top 100 prospects in the country by 247Sports. He topped 1,200 yards with 24 touchdowns on the ground as a junior while spearheading one of the state's best defenses.
Another first-time champion in 2022 should be a contender in Class 4A again this fall as
Lake Stevens finally broke through after falling short in the state title game in 2018 and 2021.
In addition to Yelm and Lake Stevens, other defending state champions include
Lynden in 2A,
Royal (Royal City) in 1A and
Napavine in 2B.
Rankings are computer-generated, factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
Yelm senior star Brayden Platt is expected to make his college decision Sept. 4. Oklahoma and Oregon are among the frontrunners secure his services. (Photo: Steve Faber)
1.
Yelm, 14-0 record in 2022
2.
Lake Stevens, 12-2
3.
Eastside Catholic (Sammamish), 12-1
4.
O'Dea (Seattle), 10-2
5.
Graham-Kapowsin (Graham), 10-3
6.
Bellevue, 9-3
7.
Sumner, 10-2
8.
Emerald Ridge (South Hill), 10-3
9.
Kennedy Catholic (Burien), 12-2
10.
Lynden, 13-0
11.
Chiawana (Pasco), 10-1
12.
Royal (Royal City), 12-1
13.
Skyview (Vancouver), 8-3
14.
Lincoln (Tacoma), 11-1
15.
Garfield (Seattle), 6-4
16.
Napavine, 13-0
17.
Kennewick, 9-3
18.
Eastlake (Sammamish), 8-3
19.
Curtis (University Place), 6-4
20.
North Kitsap (Poulsbo), 12-2
21.
Enumclaw, 12-1
22.
North Creek (Bothell), 5-5
23.
Sedro-Woolley, 8-3
24.
Lynden Christian (Lynden), 8-1
25.
Ferndale,8-3
