Washington (WIAA) high school football playoff picture, seeds, dangerous teams (10/31/2024)

The Washington high school football playoffs are just around the corner and many teams in all classifications are still in position to increase their potential seedings.

The top 32 teams in Classes 4A, 3A and 2A will compete in state play-in playoff games starting next week, and Class 1A will host a round of 24.

And starting November 7th, the WIAA playoffs will take place.

Here's the playoff picture at the start of the final week of regular season games. These are not final playoff seeds.

CLASS 4A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Camas, Sumner, Gonzaga Prep, Chiawana

Is there a playoff favorite?: Really flip a coin between Camas and Sumner, who have matching rosters and resumes.

RPI seed out of balance: Kennedy Catholic at No. 10. The strength of the schedule isn't great, but the Lancers' top 15-20 players are as good as any squad in the state (and they were in the state quarterfinals in 2023).

Who is an off-radar team that no one wants to see?: Bothell. Explosive Wyatt Mickelberry has more possession, and the 4A KingCo winner could be a handful in November.

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CLASS 3A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Bellevue, O'Dea, Eastside Catholic, Lakes

Is there a playoff favorite?: That has to be the Wolverines, who prevailed over KingCo opponents and defeated two-time defending Class 4A state champion Lake Stevens on the road.

RPI seed out of balance: Roosevelt at No. 17. No legitimate state candidate with this much college-ready talent should be ranked this low.

Who is an off-radar team that no one wants to see?: Central Valley. Bears are tough and physical, run the ball with Beau Butner — and nearly ousted top 4A seed Gonzaga Prep.

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CLASS 2A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Tumwater, Anacortes, West Valley of Spokane, Lynden

Is there a playoff favorite?: Take the teams that met for the WIAA title a year ago — Tumwater (beaten three 4A teams) and Anacortes, which still has tremendous firepower.

RPI seed out of balance: Prosser at No. 20. The Mustangs beat Othello and are currently playing great behind dual-threat signal-caller Jacob Rainer.

Who is an off-radar team that no one wants to see?: Sehome. Plays in the toughest league in the state and has talent everywhere that scares defensive coordinators.

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CLASS 1A

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Royal, Seton Catholic or La Center (winner this week is No. 2, loser is No. 3), Cashmere

Is there a playoff favorite?: Well, yes! Last year, the Knights eliminated everyone who stood in their way to the four-peat – and now they can make history with another championship.

RPI seed out of balance: Life Christian Academy at No. 9. 1A Nisqually didn't help much in the ratings, but still wouldn't surprise anyone if this squad was in the bottom four.

Who is an off-radar team that no one wants to see?: There are three run-oriented offenses built for playoffs in the No. 16-22 range – Tenino, Mount Baker and Rochester.

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CLASS 2B

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Okanogan, Onalaska, Napavine, Asotin (if Northwest Christian beats) or Freeman (if Asotin loses to Northwest Christian).

Is there a playoff favorite?: Okanogan, the reigning state champions, with most of the team returning. Could be the surest favorite of all six classifications.

RPI seed out of balance: Napavine at No. 10. Yes, the Tigers have suffered losses to 1A Life Christian and Montesano and injuries. But they get healthier at the right time.

Who is an off-radar team that no one wants to see?: Liberty Bell. Won back-to-back 1B titles, and the Paz brothers/Cousins ​​are fearsome as big-time playmakers in the open court.

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CLASS 1B

SBLive projected the top four seeds: Liberty Christian, Wilbur Creston Keller, Neah Bay, Naselle

Is there a playoff favorite?: Liberty Christian has overcome early losses to Neah Bay, ACH and DeSales and has the depth and poise to emerge with a major trophy in December.

RPI seed out of balance: ACH at No. 11. The Warriors' losses are to the top two teams, but at worst they're easily in the top five.

Who is an off-radar team that no one wants to see?: Quicene. After some downtime due to injury, they are strong and physically active again and narrowly lost to Neah Bay.

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