Updated KingCo 3A, 4A power rankings

As all of us in the press box noted at halftime of the Crossroads Cup, the beginning and the end of the first half sure looked good for Sammamish.

The bad part was everything in between.

When Brady Anderson returned the opening kickoff to the Interlake 2-yard line, it looked like the Totems were ready to give Interlake a fight in this years edition of the rivalry game.

Instead, Interlake rebounded and put up an offensive performance that Sammamish will surely remember next season, not to mention a controversial two-point conversion attempt with a 55-17 lead.

I asked Interlake coach Sheldon Cross about the decision to go for two and as I wrote in my game story, he explained to me that it all came down to the Sammamish defense taking unnecessary shots on his sophomore quarterback, Matt Malos.

The Totems had incurred personal fouls on the previous two plays for late hits on Malos that set up the Saints final touchdown. And although the two-point try was unsuccessful, I’m sure that’s something that will stick in the mind of the Totems until next year’s game.

Meanwhile, Interlake kept rolling. Their 4-1 start is the best in the last ten years and they sure look like a team destined to make the 2A playoffs. With a three-headed attack of Brett Kirschner (four touchdowns in the Crossroads Cup), Malos (15 touchdown passes this season) and Dylan Amell (12 touchdown receptions), any defense will have a tough time shutting down the Saints.

Try and shut down Kirschner and the running game? Malos will burn you up top. Playing the pass? Kirschner and Malos will run wild. As Cross said about Malos’ dual-threat ability after the Sammamish game, he simply wears defenses down.

It will be interesting to see how Interlake fares in the second-half of the season, with big games against Juanita, Liberty and Bellevue coming up.

KingCo 3A Power Rankings

1. Bellevue Wolverines (5-0 overall, 2-0 KingCo 3A)

What can you say about Bellevue that hasn’t already been said. The offense rolled again this week, piling 45 points on Mercer Island before halftime.

This week: 45-10 win at Mercer Island

Next week: vs. Sammamish

2. Liberty Patriots (4-1, 3-0)

Powerful running game storms into Juanita and ruins Rebel’s homecoming.

This week: 33-12 win at Juanita

Next week: vs. Hazen

3. Mount Si Wildcats (2-3, 1-1)

Wildcats might be the best 2-3 3A team in the state. Second-half schedule should prove Mount Si to be one of the conference’s top teams.

This week: 55-0 win vs. Evergreen

Next week: vs. Mercer Island

4. Interlake Saints (4-1, 2-1)

A healthy Brett Kirschner (four touchdowns in Crossroads Cup) bodes well for Interlake’s powerful offense.

This week: 55-17 win at Interlake

Next week: vs. Juanita

5. Juanita Rebels (3-2, 1-1)

Juanita-Interlake game should help to sort out Rebel’s place in KingCo.

This week: 33-12 loss vs. Liberty

Next week: at Interlake

6. Mercer Island Islanders (1-4, 0-3)

Islander defense couldn’t slow down Bellevue’s rushing attack, allowing 35 points on the ground in home loss.

This week: 45-10 loss vs. Bellevue

Next week: at Mount Si

7. Sammamish Totems (0-5, 0-3)

It’s not good when your most potent offensive weapon is your kickoff returner. That was the case for Sammamish in the Crossroads Cup, as Brady Anderson seemed to be the entire Totem offense.

This week: 55-17 loss vs. Interlake

Next week: at Bellevue

KingCo 4A Power Rankings

1. Skyline Spartans (5-0 overall, 2-0 KingCo 4A)

Reigning state champions get the nod over Issaquah until someone knocks them off. That could be the Eagles on Oct. 17.

This week: 35-2 win at Garfield

Next week: vs. Eastlake

2. Issaquah Eagles (5-0, 2-0)

Eagles front line paved the way to big win over Eastlake. Issaquah can’t afford to look to Oct. 17 matchup with Skyline until it takes care of Redmond.

This week: 28-3 win at Eastlake

Next week: vs. Redmond

3. Woodinville Falcons (5-0, 2-0)

Falcons narrowly escape Inglemoor to remain undefeated. If Woodinville can defeat Bothell, Falcons have a shot at ending conference play at 5-0.

This week: 10-9 win at Inglemoor

Next week: vs. Bothell

4. Eastlake Wolves (3-2 ,1-1)

After loss to Issaquah, things don’t get any easier for the Wolves; they travel to the Plateau to play Skyline.

This week: 28-3 loss to Issaquah

Next week: at Skyline

5. Bothell Cougars (3-2, 2-0)

Division play was just the cure for the 0-2 Cougars, who have three-straight wins over Redmond, Lake Washington and Ballard.

This week: 56-7 at Ballard

Next week: at Woodinville

6. Inglemoor Vikings (3-2, 1-1)

After hosting Roosevelt next week, Inglemoor becomes road warriors: it’s last three games all come on the road.

This week: 10-9 loss vs. Woodinville

Next week: vs. Roosevelt

7. Newport Knights (3-2, 1-1)

Knights showed heart after going down 14-0 at Redmond; Newport rallied to score 21-straight points in the win.

This week: 21-14 win at Redmond

Next week: vs. Garfield

8. Roosevelt Roughriders (4-1, 1-1)

After trailing Lake Washington 7-0, Roughriders pounded out 35-straight in road win.

This week: 42-13 at Lake Washington

Next week: at Inglemoor

9. Garfield Bulldogs (0-5, 0-2)

10. Redmond Mustangs (0-5, 0-2)

11. Ballard Beavers (0-5, 0-2)

12. Lake Washington Kangaroos (0-5, 0-2)