In the Washington Wrestling Report's latest all-classification wrestling rankings, South Sound wrestlers are ranked No. 1 in eight weight classes.

Here are the the top-ranked wrestlers:
103 - Bryce Evans, Rogers
119 - Efrain Aguilar, Graham-Kapowsin
125 - Sam Bauer, Enumclaw
140 - Jason Gray, Enumclaw
160 - Jim Belleville, Black Hills
171 - Taylor Meeks, Orting
189 - Jake Swartz, Auburn
285 - Tevyn Tillman, Decatur

According to the team rankings, if all the teams in the state competed in one tournament, Enumclaw would be the winner. Lake Stevens, Orting and Graham-Kapowsin would follow.

In Sports Illustrated's The Year in Sports 2008 issue, the magazine listed what happened after the completion of the girls 3,200-meter race at the Class 4A Star Track meet one of the best moments of the year.

Bellarmine Prep's Nicole Cochrane -- and the other runners -- thought Cochrane had won the race, but she was disqualified after a judge ruled she had stepped outside of her lane for three consecutive steps.

Days later, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association reinstated Cochrane as the champion. But what happened at the medal ceremony at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco was truly a memorable moment. Shadle Park's Andrea Nelson, who was awarded first place, took her medal and placed it around Cochrane's neck. Then the second-place runner gave Nelson her medal and so on.

Cochrane is now attending Harvard University. Sports Illustrated's write-up has not been posted to its Web site. If it does, I'll link it here.

Here are the newest girls basketball rankings.

CLASS 4A
1. Kentwood 6-0
2. Lewis and Clark 5-0
3. Moses Lake 6-1
4. Auburn Riverside 5-1
5. Snohomish 3-1
6. Bellarmine Prep 4-0
7. Mead 6-0
8. Pasco 7-0
9. Issaquah 3-0
10. Mount Tahoma 5-1

Click below for 3A, 2A and 1A.

=> Read more!

Here are the newest The News Tribune boys basketball rankings. Quite a bit of movement in the rankings since last week and I expect there could be some more dramatic shifts in the next couple weeks.

Girls basketball rankings will be posted on Wednesday.

BOYS
CLASS 4A
1. Garfield 2-0
2. Decatur 5-0
3. Federal Way 3-1
4. Gonzaga Prep 5-0
5. Kentwood 3-1
6. Foss 5-0
7. Auburn 5-1
8. Kentridge 4-1
9. Mount Tahoma 4-1
10. Central Kitsap 5-1

CLASS 3A
1. Rainier Beach 3-0
2. Franklin 6-0
3. Bellevue 5-1
4. Shadle Park 5-1
5. Columbia River 4-0
6. Renton 4-1
7. Lakes 4-0
8. Mount Si 4-0
9. Enumclaw 4-0
10. Clover Park 5-0

CLASS 2A
1. Squalicum 1-0
2. Mark Morris 3-0
3. River Ridge 2-2
4. Burlington-Edison 4-1
5. Spokane West Valley 3-1
6. Ellensburg 2-1
7. Centralia 4-0
8. Ephrata 2-2
9. Sehome 3-2
10. Wapato 2-1

CLASS 1A
1. Vashon 4-0
2. Port Townsend 5-0
3. Cascade Christian 4-1
4. Meridian 3-0
5. Brewster 3-1
6. Cashmere 5-1
7. Bellevue Christian 3-2
8. Winlock 6-1
9. King’s 3-1
10. Freeman 5-1

Here are the seventh annual all-state girls soccer teams, as selected by a panel of sportswriters from 12 newspapers around the state. Rene Ferran of the Tri-Cities Herald is to thank for compiling the nominations and counting the ballots.

To have received recognition, a player had to have been named on at least two ballots.

Here's a link to the all-state volleyball teams.

Click below to see the all-state girls soccer teams.

=> Read more!

Here are the seventh annual all-state volleyball teams, as selected by a panel of sportswriters from 13 newspapers around the state. Rene Ferran of the Tri-Cities Herald is to thank for compiling the nominations and counting the votes.

To have received recognition, a player had to have been named on at least two ballots.

Class 4A

Player of the Year — Oceana Bush, OH, Lewis & Clark.

Coach of the Year — Julie Yearout, Lewis & Clark.

First team

Hitters — Alexis Olgard, Mead; Kylin Munoz, Monroe; Jessie Genger, Kentwood; Marcy Hjellum, Kamiakin; Oceana Bush, Lewis & Clark.

Setters — Leanna Ludes, Skyview; Brigit Miller, Olympia; Shelby Swanson, Kamiakin.

Libero — Liz Haskey, Puyallup.

Click here to see the 4A second team and the rest of the teams.

=> Read more!

Here is The Associated Press all-state football team, as voted on by sports writers from around the state.

All-classification state player of the year: Jake Heaps, jr., Skyline

CLASS 4A
Player of the year - Jake Heaps, jr., Skyline.

FIRST TEAM

Quarterback - Jake Heaps, jr., Skyline.

Running backs - Howard McDonald, sr., Central Kitsap; Patrick Ottorbech, sr., Bothell; Grant Gellatly, sr., Issaquah.

Wide receivers - Gino Simone, sr., Skyline; Aaron Roberts, sr., Ferris; Kasen Williams, so., Skyline.

Offensive line - Christian Rennie, sr., Issaquah; Rob Tramonte, sr., Skyline; Hunter Blackmore, sr., Kentwood; Steve Brazel, sr., Olympia; Mike Marboe, jr., Wenatchee.

Defensive line - Travis Long, sr., Gonzaga Prep; Deandre Coleman, sr., Garfield; Chris Mastin, sr., Lewis and Clark.

Linebackers - Jeff Gouveia, sr., Auburn; Anthony DeMatteo, jr., Skyline; Taylor Powell, sr., Southridge; Richie Meier, Central Kitsap.

Defensive backs - Desmond Trufant, sr., Wilson; Kurt Stottlemyer, sr., Bothell; Carlo Lavoie, sr., Auburn; Kramer Skidmore, sr., Olympia.

All-purpose - Tyler VanSligtenhorst, sr., Rogers.

Kicker - Jay Ubben, sr., Gig Harbor.

Click below for 4A honorable mention and the rest of the classes.

=> Read more!

Dave Gilbertson of Washington Wrestling Report has put together a list of the Top 20 senior wrestlers in the state. His top two are South Soung guys -- Auburn's Jake Swartz and Black Hills' Jimmy Belleville.

Here's what he had to say about both:

Jake Swartz
Background: A two-time state 3A champ Two-time Fargo medalist, Auburn’s Jake Swartz is my pick as Washington state's most highly-rated recruit for the 2008-09 season. Swartz also placed in the top 5 at Fargo in both style in 2008 in the Junior 189 weight group. Swartz comes from a family of wrestlers and he, his older brother (Kurt, BSU) and father all won USAW National age group freestyle titles in the same year. Swartz was a two-time Nationals freestyle champion in kids wrestling and also took first at Reno World of wrestling. His nick name when younger was Jake "The Bull" Swartz and he usually lived up to the name. He took some time off in junior high but came back with a vengeance in high school. He had a very successful freshman year but was in a stacked weight group at state and lost to Eric Starks. Starks went on to place first at state and the next year took 3rd in Fargo. Jake lost to Eric again the next year at the Sierra Nevada Classic tournament but has not looked back since.

Jimmy Belleville
Background: Jimmy Belleville has been wrestling at a high level since he could first walk. He is a 6-time state kids freestyle champion and has probably added a few more Cadet and Junior titles in there. He is a three-time state high school wrestling champion with an excellent chance of becoming only the fifth Washington wrestler to win four high school titles. As a cadet he placed in the top three at nationals in freestyle and this past year he competed as a Junior and was national runner-up in freestyle. In that match he won the first round and had just reversed his opponent to take the lead near the end of the second round when disaster struck and he was turned and pinned. At every level Jimmy has been a winner and I expect this to continue on at the next level.

Click here to check out the whole list.

Also, the Shelton Highclimbers Holiday wrestling tournament, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20, has been canceled.

Just found out that Foss' non-league boys basketball game on Friday against Jefferson of Portland, Ore., has been postponed. Falcons coach Mike Cocke' said he does not know yet when the game against Oregon's Class 5A defending champions will be rescheduled.

The weather, of course, has forced the postponement of dozens of events this week.

Be safe, folks.

Bellarmine Prep senior Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley, a former Bellarmine Prep standout who transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., are among 10 players being considered for the Naismith Boy’s High School Player of the Year award. the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today.

The watch list was comprised by leading basketball journalists from around the country who form the national voting academy, and identify players under consideration for this award.

In February, the voting academy will narrow the list down to five candidates, with the winner being selected and recognized by the Atlanta Tipoff Club at the end of the high school basketball season.

Here are the finalists:

Kenny Boynton, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.

Avery Bradley, Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev.

DeMarcus Cousins, Le Flore HS, Mobile, Ala.

Derrick Favors, South Atlanta HS

Abdul Gaddy, Bellarmine Prep, Tacoma

Xavier Henry, Putnam City HS, Oklahoma City, Okla.

John Henson, Sickles HS, Tampa, Fla.

Renardo Sidney, Fairfax HS, Los Angeles

Lance Stephenson, Abraham Lincoln HS, Brooklyn, N.Y.

John Wall, Word of God Christian Academy, Raleigh, N.C.

The third and final day of our in-depth basketball previews ran today. We're featuring the Nisqually League, Evergreen Conference and local 2B and 1B schools.

Here's a link to our feature on center John Gage of top-ranked Vashon, along with capsule previews of the Nisqually and EvCo boys.

Here's a link to our feature on the Black Hills girls team, which is aiming to unseat two-time defendinf champion River Ridge, and capsule previews of the EvCo and Nisqually girls.

Here's a peek at the South Sound's 2B and 1B schools.

Finally, here are our rankings for Class 2A and 1A.

BOYS
Class 2A
1. Squalicum
2. Burlington-Edison
3. Mark Morris
4. River Ridge
5. Spokane West Valley
6. Sehome
7. Prosser
8. Pullman
9. W.F. West
10. Ephrata

Edit (Dec. 17): Whoops, W.F. West was meant to be No. 9, not Elma. Mixed up my Evergreen Conference teams. If you click on our EvCo predictions, you'll see we have W.F. West second and Elma near the bottom.

Class 1A
1. Vashon
2. Cascade Christian
3. Meridian
4. Brewster
5. Bellevue Christian
6. King’s
7. Port Townsend
8. Cashmere
9. Winlock
10. Chelan

GIIRLS
Class 2A
1. Black Hills
2. Prosser
3. Lynden
4. Yakima East Valley
5. Kingston
6. Elma
7. Archbishop Murphy
8. Burlington-Edison
9. River Ridge
10. Ellensburg

Class 1A
1. Lynden Christian
2. Lakeside
3. Granger
4. King’s
5. Nooksack Valley
6. Brewster
7. Connell
8. Castle Rock
9. Naches Valley
10. Winlock

Here's the second installment of our basketball previews.

SPSL 3A -- Feature on a rebuilding Lakes team.

Western Cascade Conference -- Feature on Yelm's Savanna Seabourn.

Click below for capsule previews for each league, plus 3A state rankings.

=> Read more!

Our boys and girls basketball previews of the Narrows League and SPSL were in Sunday's newspaper. Here are links to the stories and capsules:

Narrows League Boys

Narrows League Girls

SPSL Boys

SPSL Girls

And here are the first edition of this season's TNT Power Rankings:

Class 4A
Boys
1. Federal Way 2-0
2. Kentwood 2-1
3. Decatur 4-0
4. Gonzaga Prep 3-0
5. Central Kitsap 4-1
6. Foss 4-0
7. Garfield 1-0
8. Mount Tahoma 4-0
9. Bellarmine Prep 0-2
10. Curtis 2-1

Girls
1. Kentwood 5-0
2. Lewis and Clark 4-0
3. Moses Lake 4-1
4. Auburn Riverside 3-1
5. Snohomish 3-1
6. Bellarmine Prep 3-0
7. Mead 4-0
8. Pasco 3-0
9. Issaquah 3-0
10. Mount Tahoma 4-1

Here's the schedule for the rest of the previews:

Monday -- SPSL 3A, Western Cascade Conference and 3A Power Rankings

Tuesday -- Nisqually League, Evergreen Conference and local 2B and 1B schools; and 2A and 1A Power Rankings

Just received this from Bsports.org.

2008 Bsports.org 1B All-State Football Team

The following 1B Football All-State Team was voted on by the 1B coaches throughout the entire State, select media members, and the staff at Bsports.org. The selection process is done strictly by votes from all eligible voting members. We received votes from 84 percent of all coaches throughout the State for this years team.

1B Player of the Year
Garrett Blauert, Lacrosse-Washtucna-Kahlotus, RB/DB

2008 Statistics
Offense
Rushing: 317 carries, 2,814 yards, 8.9 ypc, 33 touchdowns
Receiving: 31 receptions, 714 yards, 11 touchdowns Total Yards: 3,528 Total Touchdowns: 44

Defense
Total Tackles: 90
Interceptions: 5

Garrett Blauert had 317 carries this year and he held on to the football in 316 of them till the whistle blew. Even that one fumble is arguable since it was on the quarterback/running back exchange. But none-the-less, the 5-10, 155 pound junior running back from L-W-K certainly carried the load for the Tigercats in more ways than one. He rushed for 1,094 yards in the playoffs alone. He turned in 225 against Columbia, 273 against Odessa, 301 against Cusick, and finally 295 against Wishkah Valley in the State Championship game. He even found time to return a punt for a touchdown somewhere along the line.

Defensively he always had tough assignments. He made 90 tackles from his defensive back position, while intercepting five passes as well. "We always gave him tough assignments," said L-W-K head coach Jeff Nelson. "We often gave him the wide side of the field and/or he was matched up against the other teams best receiving threat."

A Southeast League Championship, a State Championship, a perfect record (13-0), and now, the Bsports.org 1B "Player of the Year!" Almost as perfect as his carries to fumble ratio.

Click below to see the Offensive and Defensive players of the year, along with complete all-state teams for Class 1B.

=> Read more!

With the fall season completely behind us, we're putting all our efforts this week and next getting out our winter sports previews.

Here's what we have lined up:

Sunday -- previews of the Narrows League and SPSL North and South divisions.

Monday -- previews of the SPSL 3A and Western Cascade Conference.

Tuesday -- previews of the Nisqually League, Evergreen Conference and Sea-Tac League.

Previews of wrestling, boys swimming and gymnastics will follow basketball.

Big hoops news out of Seattle last night when it was reported that Tony Wroten will no longer be allowed to attend Garfield High School. The family plans to appeal the decision.

Plenty of highlight clips from third-ranked Lynden's 35-34 double-overtime win over top-ranked Prosser in the Class 2A finals.

Here's Prosser QB Jordan Durbin's 38-yard touchdown pass to WR Kirby Moore that gave the Mustangs a 21-6 lead with 2:22 left in the game.

Click below for more highlights.

=> Read more!

The action heated up late, and this one turned out to be one of the all-time classic state championship games at Gridiron Classic.

Prosser's Kirby Moore (14 catches, 267 yards, three touchdown receptions) set a couple more records.

But the Lions took the title right out of Prosser's clutch.

Moore, headed to Boise State, hauled in a 34-yard TD pass from Jordan Durbin with 2:22 to go in regulation to give the Mustangs a 21-6 lead.

Then, Lynden reversed 31/2 quarters of missed opportunities into a dynamic late-game rally.

In 51 seconds, the Lions covered 57 yards, and got a much-needed score on Jordan Hastings' 17-yard TD strike to Ryan Seto to cut it to 21-13.

Then came the play of the game. Lynden placekicker Joel Brown, who earlier missed a PAT, laid a perfect, bouncy onside kick to the right, and teammate Jace Baxter-Bowen, a 6-foot-3 receiver, had no problems coming down with the recovery to give Lynden a final chance.

David Gaylor punched it in from 4 yards out with 53 seconds to go, and he caught the game-tying 2-point conversion pass from Hastings.

Prosser drove as far to the Lynden 30 in the final seconds, but Durbin's pass at the goal-line was intercepted by Brett Bajema.

Both teams traded two TD-scoring drives in OT. The last came on Moore's 10-yard scoring catch that gave him 34 receiving TDs on the season, a new national record.

Prosser decided to go for the 2-point conversion, and the win. Hurried, Durbin's pass in the end zone was batted down by Seto.

The Mustangs amassed 506 total yards, 392 in the air (and 375 from Durbin). The Lions' running attack wore Prosser down, and gained 172 yards on 41 rushes.

The Lions scored on their initial drive of the second half, going 71 yards on 12 plays, capped by Jordan Hastings' 12-yard TD strike to tight end Ryan Seto with 6:59 to go in the quarter.

Prosser was held to three-and-out on its first drive, but starts the fourth quarter near midfield after converting a fourth-and-inches lay at its own 43.

Prosser's Jordan Durbin has been near-perfect, completing 11 of 15 passes for 207 yards – 143 going to star Kirby Moore, and the defending 2A champion Mustangs lead at the midway point in the Tacoma Dome.

Prosser has put together a pair of 90-plus-yard drives, going 95 for a score (51-yard TD pass to Moore), and 92 in the second quarter that stalled at the Lions' 6.

Lynden's four drives have all reached Prosser territory, and twice in the red zone, but have been stopped on fourth-down plays.

In the final 4:16, Lynden missed on a fourth-and-6 pass to Ryan Seto, and quarterback Jordan Hastings was picked off by Anthony Flores at the Mustangs' 2 with 35 seconds to go in the half.

STATISTICS
Prosser 31 plays, 284 yards.
Lynden 29 plays, 136 yards.

It's a one-man show, and his name is Kirby Moore.

Moore had six catches for 143 yards in the first quarter, including a 51-yard TD pass from Jordan Durbin where he hurdled over Lynden's Blair Bomber, and stiff-armed linebacker Taylor Creighton out of the way en route to the score.

For some reason, the Lions have been playing the touted receiver one-on-one with Bomber much of the game. Bomber (5-foot-9, 155 pounds) gives up six inches and 50 pounds to Moore (6-foot-3, 205 pounds).

Prosser drove 74 yards on its first drive, and took a 7-0 lead on Dylan Bolt's 1-yard plunge with 9:28 to go.

Linebacker Edgar Esquivel intercepted Ben Johnson's pass near midfield with six seconds remaining to seal it for Cashemere, which came from behind to beat Cascade Christian, 10-9, in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday in the Tacoma Dome.

Derek Todd, the Bulldogs' star at quarterback, cashed in on another Cascade Christian turnover with his 8-yard TD scamper with more than four minutes to go.

Ben Johnson was intercepted three times in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars got the ball back with under a minute to go after Todd ran out of the end zone for a safety.

Cascade Christian converted a fourth-and-10 on a screen pass to Travis Van Dyke, but Johnson was picked off on the next play by Esquivel.

Not a lot of action in the third quarter. The teams traded punts and the Cougars are at midfield.

Cascade Christian
Rushing: 20-100 (John Brus has rushed for 64 yards on 12 carries)
Passing: 3-6-0-32
Total offense: 132 yards

Cashmere
Rushing: 17-54
Passing: 1-7-2-31
Total offense: 85 yards

Cascade Christian leads 7-3 at halftime.

Cascade Christian missed a field goal late in the second quater that would have given it a seven-point lead, but the Cougars defense has been stellar. They have picked off Cashmere QB Derek Todd two times and recovered a fumble.

If not for a fumble deep in their own territory that led to a Cashmere field goal, Cascade Christian would likely have a shut out.

Devin Ossman's 33-yard interception return led to a 5-yard touchdown run by John Brus, giving Cascade Christian its first lead.

After forcing a punt, Cashmere takes over at its own 9 yard line with 11:52 left in the second quarter.

After a poor punt that gave Cashmere a first down at the Cougars 40, Ben Johnson corralled a tipped pass, getting the ball back for Cascade Christian.

The Cougars are driving, Spencer Ramos and John Brus have each picked up first downs. 2:07 left in first quarter.

Hernan Hernandez has given Cashmere a 3-0 lead. The junior booted a 36-yard field goal with plenty of yards to spare -- it would have been good from at least 40 yards.

Cascade Christian has stuffed Cashmere's rushing game, holding the Bulldogs to 10 yards on six carries.

Cashmere got the ball back when Casey Collins recovered a John Brus fumble at the Cascade Christian 32 yard line.

Quick start for Cashmere. Receiver Trevor Davis hauled in a 30-yard gain on third-and-14 at the Cashmere 32, putting the Bulldogs into Cougars territory.

Check back often for scoring and big-play updates.

Napavine and Asotin scored three touchdowns in the final 2 minutes, 11 seconds of the game, with the Tigers of Napavine escaping the Tacoma Dome with a 28-24 win.

Here's how the final two minutes went down:

-- Napavine took a 21-17 lead when Micah Brown scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 2:11 left in the game.

-- Asotin responded quickly. QB Creighton Alford hit WR Zane Earl on a long pass and Earl was tackled at the 1-yard line. A play later, Alford scored on a 1-yard sneak with 54 seconds left, taking a 24-21 lead.

-- The Tigers went deep on second-and-10 from their own 38 on the ensuing possession, and WR Matt Waltenberg hauled in QB Marty Cozart's tipped pass and outran the cornerback, scoring with 19 seconds on the clock.

-- On Asotin's final play, Alford scrambled to his left, but his threw fell incomplete as time expired.

The title is the first for Napavine since it won the B-8 championship in 1976.

Here's The News Tribune's All-State football team. We compiled this by reviewing all-league teams from around the state, checking out other newspaper's all-area teams and talking to coaches.

This one is even tougher to put together than the all-area team. So many deserving athletes, but so few spots to fill.

The News Tribune's 2008 All-State Football Team

Player of the Year
Gino Simone, Sr., Skyline, 6-0, 175

A threat to score whenever he touches the ball, Simone scored 18 all-purpose touchdowns this season. He was named to the all-KingCo 3A first-team at receiver, safety and kick returner, and shared Offensive Player of the Year honors with teammate quarterback Jake Heaps.

Simone caught 52 passes for 857 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, helping top-ranked Skyline to the 4A state finals. He also ran for 153 yards, averaging 13.9 yards per carry, and a touchdown, and returned two kicks and two punts for touchdowns.

Simone has received scholarship offers from WSU, UW, Boise St. and Oregon St.

Coach of the Year
Mark Keel, Central Kitsap

After starting 2-3, the Cougars won seven straight to reach the 4A semifinals, scoring upsets along the way

OFFENSE

QB: Jake Heaps, Jr., 6-2, 195, Skyline
The nation’s top recruit in the junior class, Heaps has thrown for 2,725
yards and 35 TDs

RB: Howard McDonald, Sr., 5-10, 200, Central Kitsap
The Narrows League MVP rushed for 751 yards four postseason games.

RB: Patrick Ottorbech, Sr., 5-7, 187, Bothell
Rushed for 1,555 yards and 22 TDs, earning KingCo Crown Offensive MVP honors

RB: Austin Denton, Jr., 5-10, 200, Marysville-Pilchuck
Rushed for 1,563 yards and 18 TDs in the Tomahawks’ best season since 1975

OL: Hunter Blackmore, Sr., 6-3, 260, Kentwood
The SPSL North Lineman of the Year is a three-year starter with multiple
offers

OL: Grant Enger, Sr., 6-6, 250, O’Dea
The Metro League Mountain Division Lineman of the Year will play at Oregon St.

OL: Anthony Luna, Sr., 6-4, 295, Gonzaga Prep
This road grader from the Greater Spokane League is one of the toughest in the state

OL: Andru Pulu, Sr., 6-3, 250, Federal Way
Pulu may be even better as a linebacker; he’s given a verbal commitment to UW

OL: Sinoe Potoa’e, Jr., 6-3, 285, Lakes
This dominant lineman helped Lakes have two 1,000-yard running backs

TE: Travis Long, Sr., 6-5, 245, Gonzaga Prep
The state’s top tight end prospect was also the GSL co-Defensive MVP

WR: Kirby Moore, Sr., 6-3, 210, Prosser
Owns the national prep record for career touchdown catches with 92

WR: Aaron Roberts, Sr., 5-11, 165, Ferris
Co-MVP of the Greater Spokane League caught 74 passes for 1,164 yards, 14 TDs

WR: Mitch Saylor, Jr., 6-6, 205, Union
The Greater St. Helens League 3A MVP has led young Titans to the finals

ATH: Tyler VanSligtenhorst, Sr., 5-9, 185, Rogers
The News Tribune’s All-Area Player of the Year totaled 37 TDs in 2008.

K: Blaze Vela, Sr., 6-1, 205, Central Valley
Kicked 10 field goals, including four from longer than 40 yards

DEFENSE

DL: Deandre Coleman, Sr., 6-4, 285, Garfield
Considered by many to be the top recruit in the state, he’s a game-changing force

DL: ‘Alo’ofa Ta’a, Sr., 6-1, 260, Rainier Beach
Defensive Lineman of the Year Metro Sound Division had a breakout season

DL: Chris Mastin, Sr., 6-2, 205, Lewis and Clark
Co-Defensive MVP in the Greater Spokane League has committed to WSU

DL: Neil Fuhrmann, Sr., 6-3, 285, Cascade Christian
MVP of the Nisqually League played all season with torn ligaments in his knee

LB: Jeff Gouveia, Sr., 5-11, 220, Auburn
Pound for pound he is one of the strongest, toughest players in the state

LB: Anthony DeMatteo, Jr., 6-0, 190, Skyline
KingCo 3A Defensive MVP led a first-string defense that has allowed 36 points

LB: Andre Barrington, Sr., 6-1, 210, Federal Way
One of the most versatile and athletic players in the state is committed to
WSU

LB: CJ Milburn, Sr., 6-1, 205, Archbishop Murphy
The Cascade Conference Defensive MVP led the Wildcats to the state semifinals

DB: Jamal Atofau, Sr., 5-1, 190, Bellevue
The KingCo 3A Defensive Player of the Year is bound for Washington St.

DB: Casey Locker, Sr., 5-11, 175, Ferndale
He’s been the best player in the Northwest Conference the last two seasons

DB: Ronnie Hamlin, Sr., 6-2, 200, Timberline
Olympic Western League’s MVP tallied 156 tackles and 10 interceptions

DB: Desmond Trufant, Sr., 5-11, 170, Wilson
Teams threw at him 28 times this season, completing only six passes

DB: Kurt Stottlemeyer, Sr., 5-10, 171, Bothell
A true shut-down cornerback, he made teams think twice about throwing his way

P: Cameron Homan, Sr., 6-2, 180, Eatonville
Averaged 41.9 yards per punt and landed 10 inside opponents’ 10-yard line

RET: Jamison Rowe, Sr., 5-10, 175, Richland
MVP of the CBBN Cascade Division is a dangerous return man

Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps has been named the 2008 Gatorade Washington Football Player of the Year.

Heaps, a 6-foot-2 and 195-pound junior, has passed for 2,725 yards and 35 touchdowns, while completing 58 percent of his passes. Top-ranked Skyline will play No. 10 Issaquah at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Class 4A state title game at the Tacoma Dome.

Past recipients of the award include Edmonds-Woodway's Tony Heard, Prosser's Kellen Moore and O'Dea's Taylor Mays.

Today's story in our Road to the Gridiron Classic series is on Skyline High School sophomore Kasen Williams. He is the son of Aaron Williams, who was a football and track star at Wilson High School in the late-1970s.

Kasen is already one of the state's best receivers and a top recruit. He has received scholarship offers from Boise State, UCLA and Washington, where his dad played football.

We have loads more of Gridiron Classic coverage coming Friday, including a feature on Class 1A finalist Cascade Christian, a story on Cashmere (the Cougars' opponent), a story exploring the ties between the Issaquah and Skyline programs, previews of the 4A and 2B finals and The News Tribune's All-State football team.

Of course, we'll have more previews in Saturday's paper for the Saturday games, along with tons of coverage of Friday's 4A and 2B finals.

Earlier in the week we ran this story on the Union Titans, a two-year-old school that will play Bellevue for the Class 3A state championship on Saturday.

Today we published our first story leading up to the Gridiron Classic football state championship games on Friday and Saturday.

Reporter Todd Milles spent Tuesday at Union High School in Clark County and here's his story on the two-year-old Titans.

Check back on Thursday for story on Skyline sophomore Kasen Williams, son of former Wilson High standout Aaron Williams.

Dave Gilbertson at Washington Wrestling Report has released his preseason wrestling rankings.

So far, team and individual rankings for 4A and 3A are up, along with all-class ratings. Here are the top-five teams in each class.

Class 4A
1. Lake Stevens
2. Graham-Kapowsin
3. Snohomish
4. Kentwood
5. Arlington

Class 3A
1. Enumclaw
2. Spokane East Valley
3. Yelm
4. Sedro-Woolley
5. Everett

In his all-class rankings, Enumclaw is rated No. 1. Locals ranked No. 1 in the state in their weight class are:

119 Efrain Aguilar, Graham-Kapowsin
125 Sam Bauer, Enumclaw
140 Jason Gray, Enumclaw
160 Jim Belleville, Black Hills
171 Taylor Meeks, Orting
189 Jake Schwartz, Auburn
285 Tevyn Tillman, Decatur

To see Gilbertson's complete rankings, click here.

Boys
First Team
1. Moskowitz, Shane; Central Kitsap
2. Peloquin, Conner; Gig Harbor
3. Rosaaen, Kevin; Woodrow Wilson
4. Brennand, Nate; Olympia
5. Payne, Spencer; Gig Harbor
6. Ubben, Robby; Gig Harbor
7. Weber, Zackery; Central Kitsap

Second Team
8. Coic, Mark; Stadium
9. Baer, Matt; Bellarmine Prep
10. Thorsen, Michael; Central Kitsap
11. Kalbrener, Casey; Gig Harbor
12. Lawrence, Ryan; Olympia
13. Gagliano, Joe; Gig Harbor
14. Phillips, Jon; South Kitsap

Honorable Mention
15. Wing, Mac; Stadium
16. Knudsen, Ted; Olympia
17. Shorten, Jared; Olympia
18. Fleckenstein, Sam; Olympia
19. Felnagle, Brent; Bellarmine Prep
20. Hanson, Scott; Bellarmine Prep
21. Mackovjak, John; Central Kitsap

Girls
First Team
1. Kane, Clare; Olympia
2. Moskowitz, Shannon; Central Kitsap
3. Dear, Annie; Olympia
4. Freeburg, Julia; Bellarmine Prep
5. Saxon, Cara; Gig Harbor
6. Betterbed, Claire; Gig Harbor
7. Moon, Danie; Gig Harbor

Second Team
8. Johansen, Tori; Central Kitsap
9. Hull, Erin; Gig Harbor
10. Johnson, Sarah; Shelton
11. Copeland, Erika; South Kitsap
12. Williams, Kelly; Gig Harbor
13. Vaughn, Mackenzie; Bellarmine Prep
14. Wilson, Amanda; South Kitsap

Honorable Mention
15. Cove', Eline; Stadium
16. Jorde, Gee Mi; Central Kitsap
17. Kealy, Brittany; Gig Harbor
18. Hilger, Lauren; Bellarmine Prep
19. Hoza, Kathleen; Olympia
20. McGee, Loreal; Woodrow Wilson
21. Tollefson, Annie; Bellarmine Prep

Bellevue High will try and continue its magnificent run in the Class 3A ranks by playing for its sixth state championship.

The Wolverines, who endured the most harrowing of circumstances Friday when their bus was forced off the freeway, rolling over, returned in fine fashion by stopping Capital, 28-6, on Monday night in the 3A semifinals at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

Peter Nguyen paced the Bellevue rushing attack with 152 yards on 10 carries, with 131 coming in the first half, and the Wolverines built a 28-0 lead with four rushing scores.

It was far from a perfect game for the top-ranked Wolverines, who will meet No. 4 Union on Saturday night for the 3A title in the Tacoma Dome. They amassed 310 yards on 40 plays.

But the Bellevue defense held Capital in check, limiting the OWL champions to 225 yards. The Cougars scored late on Riley Wall's 1-yard TD run to avoid the shutout.

"We were all here, found things that worked and played a full game," Bellevue quarterback Tommy Castle said.

Jamal Atofau had a pair of first-half touchdowns for the Wolverines.

Quarterback Kellen Camus led Capital by completing 12 of 20 passes for 91 yards, and adding 34 yards on the ground. Tailback Riley Wall had 50 yards on 14 carries.

For The News Tribune's unedited story for the Tuesday edition, read on:

=> Read more!

Capital needed a few more drives like this one – 18 plays, 90 yards – to keep the Bellevue offense off the field. The Cougars scored their first touchdown on Riley Wall's 1-yard run on a direct snap and run to the left side.

The drive took 8:36 off the clock.

Capital went for a two-point conversion, but fumbled the snap.

Time is running out on Capital High's football season.

Bellevue took it 69 yards on 11 plays on its first drive of the second half, and converted a third-and-goal when junior Sean Coley took a delayed handoff and scooted into the end zone on a 4-yard run.

Wolverines' standout Peter Nguyen had a 21-yard run – his fourth run of 20 or more yards in the game – to aid the drive. He now has 152 rushing yards.

The Cougars went three-and-out to start the second half. Bellevue's Tommy Castle stopped Riley Wall short on third-and-2 to force a punt.

Bellevue's damage – predictably – has come on the ground, gaining 210 yards on 21 plays, including 19 rushes. Peter Nguyen paces the Wolverines with his 131 yards on nine carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run on the team's first drive.

Riley Wall has had success in spots. He has 37 yards on eight carries, and another 20 yards on three receptions. Capital has gotten into Bellevue territory on three of its five first-half drives, but hasn't scored.

The big play came with 1:20 to go in the first quarter. Capital went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Bellevue 33, but Wall was halted up the middle for no gain by a group of Wolverines, notably Julious Moore, who also has a tackle for loss.

TOTAL YARDS
Bellevue 21 plays, 210 yards
Capital 29 plays, 108 yards

SCORING
B–Nguyen 1 run (Hubert kick), 9:21 in 1st
B–Atofau 3 run (Hubert kick), 7:00 in 1st
B–Atofau 9 run (Hubert kick), 5:50 in 2nd

Not much the Capital Cougars can do with Peter Nguyen and the Bellevue Wolverines' inside runs, which are hitting on a number of big plays.

On Bellevue's fourth drive, the Wolverines went 80 yards on four plays. Nguyen had scampers of 27 and 29, and Jamal Atofau added his second touchdown of the game, this time a 9-yard delay run off tackle.

The Wolverines' drive was aided by a late-hit, personal foul penalty on Capital's Kilian Johnson.

Capital went three-and-out on its first drive, and Bellevue's Peter Nguyen returned a punt 48 yards to the Cougars' 3-yard line.

One play later, Jamal Atofau punched it in for the Wolverines' second touchdown, taking a 14-0 lead.

The Wolverines g 63 yards in six plays, including a big 33-yard run by quarterback Joe Joe Connor to set up Peter Nguyen's 1-yard plunge up the middle.

Both of Capital's run were to the right side, and on the edge.

We're minutes from kickoff between unranked Capital and No. 1 Bellevue, a five-time 3A champion, in the Class 3A state semifinals.

Game-time temperature is 51 degrees, and there has been a light but steady downpour.

We'll provide live updates from Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood. Stay tuned!!

Good news – there will be a Class 3A state semifinal game tonight at Harry E. Lang Stadium.

The uncertainty? When will kickoff be?

The two charter buses on the north side have been confirmed to be that of the football team, and the Wolverines have taken the field with 161/2 minutes remaining before the scheduled kickoff.

No word if it will be later than 7 p.m.

The Bellevue side is only half full, and devoid of much activity. Capital High fans have been standing, chanting and yelling much of the last half-hour, at least until the Cougars went back into the locker room five minutes ago for a final tune-up meeting.

All the local TV stations are camped out here, with a few reporters on the field, conducting live telecasts. Their vans are parked just off the home grandstand.

The odd and almost anti-climatic nature of this postponed matchup has carried over to the minutes before kickoff. Hope the game isn't so uneventful.

Immediately, a camera flashbulb began going off on the north side of Harry E. Lang Stadium as two buses pulled up near the visiting grandstand.

For a few minutes, the vehicles stayed almost motionless, with no movement coming from the cab. There have been cheerleader sightings, but no football players – not on the field, not from the locker room, nowhere.

Even the officiating crew has come on the field. Capital High players are still going through pre-game warmups.

A few Bellevue High students are standing near the fence, talking, wondering when the team will come out.

We're 25 minutes out from a scheduled kickoff.

Capital High fans must have made a day of it – half of the home section at Harry E. Lang Stadium is full and energetic. Across from the press box is a subdued Bellevue High side, but there are many waiting to get in.

The Capital High Cougars have been on the field, doing various pre-game warmups for about 15 minutes. No sign of the Wolverines, who might be taking it slowly considering it was their charter bus that landed on its side Friday morning en route to the Tacoma Dome, postponing in the originally-scheduled 1 p.m. kickoff.

Maybe it's me, but I thought cars would already be squeezed in the parking lot, and that side streets would soon start seeing traffic for the game. Not so.

Almost 50 minutes and counting … until this showdown gets going.

Curtis High School is hosting a Coaches vs. Cancer "Keep the Change" Tip-Off Jamboree today.

Tickets are $4 and spectators are encouraged to "graciously donate the change" to the American Cancer Society.

Here are the participating teams:
Curtis
Franklin
Lincoln
Steilacoom
Sumner

JV games begin at 5 p.m. and the Varsity tips at 6 p.m.