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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Saxons still lead area poll

Peter Sowards SWX/NWPrepsnow.com

Different week, same result.

Once again, the Ferris Saxons lead our NWPrepsNow high school football Power Rankings after limiting prolific Shadle Park quarterback Brett Rypien to a meager 131 yards passing and defeating the Highlanders 38-14.

Once again, notorious “lone dissenter” and GSL play-by-play voice Larry Weir serves as the barrier between Ferris and a sweep of first-place votes from our nine panelists.

Weir went with Lind-Ritzville/Sprague once more, fresh off a 40-21 win over Warden in its opener and winners of 14 straight games.

Utilizing a three-man front and dropping eight into coverage, Jim Sharkey’s Saxons stymied Rypien from the opening whistle, limiting the junior to less than 3.3 yards per pass attempt. One week earlier in a 62-14 win over Rogers, Rypien averaged over 15. What a difference a week makes.

“They say defense wins championships, and there’s not a better defense to be found in the area,” SWX director of sports Sam Adams said. “Cole Karstetter is a standout defensive back who leads a stingy secondary, and the offense is every bit as good.”

“Just dominant,” added SWX/KHQ sports reporter/anchor Michelle Dapper. “They proved last week that they can dominate in any style of play.”

“Here comes the option,” said SWX football insider Bill Ames, referring to Ferris’ upcoming matchup with Gonzaga Prep on Sept. 20 at Bullpup Stadium.

Ferris’ hold on the top spot grew in week 3, with 18 points separating the Saxons from the No. 2 Mead Panthers, who handled North Central in a 42-7 win.

“If you haven’t taken notice of the Panthers yet this year, it’s time to start,” SWX sports producer Neil Stover said. “This is a good team that could give Ferris – and others – a lot of problems … .”

Mead has outscored its opponents 84-21. Ferris has a similar 80-28 mark.

Mark your calendars now: Mead vs. Ferris, Halloween night, 7:15 p.m., Joe Albi Stadium. It’s each team’s last game of the regular season.

New on our list at No. 3 are the Freeman Scotties, the class of Northeast 1A football, who drubbed 2A Pullman in a 40-14 victory that was more lopsided than the scoreboard indicated. A week earlier, they defeated Colville 14-7, another 2A school.

“Sorry Scotties,” The Spokesman-Review preps writer Greg Lee apologized. “You’re much better than I thought.”

Adams ranked Freeman No. 6 and likes the mentality instilled by coach Jim Wood.

“This team is angry, and playing with a chip on its shoulder,” he said. “Keep doubting, folks. If they are able to win their next two games on the road (at Bonners Ferry and Newport), I’m putting these guys in my top-four.”

Just a vote shy of the Scotties are the Bullpups of Gonzaga Prep, who rolled up 500 yards of offense – 425 rushing – in a 51-28 win at University.

“G-Prep has a chance to make a real statement come Friday night when the Bullpups host top-ranked Ferris,” Stover said.

Ames called the ‘Pups “a nightmare for a defensive coordinator.”

Weir’s Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos make the rankings for the first time.

“They were my No. 1 last week and stay there,” Weir dissented. “I still think they have the best shot to win state.”

Rounding out our week 3 NWPrepsNow power rankings are the Coeur d’Alene Vikings, who have the only two losses of teams in our top 6.

Two weeks ago, the Viks surrendered two touchdowns in the final three minutes of a 44-43 heartbreaker to Bothell at Husky Stadium. This past week, two-time defending Washingtion 4A champion Skyline took advantage of CdA mistakes to win 38-23.

Rank, Team W-L Pts*1st
1. Ferris2-0 538
2, Mead2-025
3, Freeman2-023
4, Gonzaga Prep 2-022
5, Lind-Ritz/Spr.1-020 1
6, Coeur d’Alene1-216