NEAH BAY — Neah Bay and Lummi are the early favorites in 8-man football.
The defending state champions Red Devils are ranked second in Class 1B in The Associated Press’ preseason poll voted on by a panel of sportswriters from across the state.
The Blackhawks, one of Neah Bay’s top rivals, were picked No. 1.
Lummi, which lost to the Red Devils in the state semifinals last year, received seven of the 10 first-place votes and 97 total points.
The Red Devils had the other three first-place votes and 87 total points.
Touchet, last year’s state runner-up, is ranked third with 75 points. Rounding out the top five is Liberty Christian (72 points) and Colton (15).
Others receiving votes in the 1B poll are Odessa-Harrington (12) and Naselle (12).
No other North Olympic Peninsula teams received votes in the preseason poll.
Other top-ranked teams are Bothell (4A), Bellevue (3A), Lynden (2A), Freeman (1A) and Lind-Ritzville Sprague (2B).
Neah Bay needs game
Neah Bay and Lummi will face off in Neah Bay Week 2 of the upcoming football season on Friday, Sept. 12.
The Red Devils, though, are looking for a new Week 1 opponent after Cusick canceled due to a small turnout for the first few days of practice.
Forks facing Victoria team
Forks went international to find a Week 1 opponent.
The Spartans this week lined up a game against Mount Douglas of Victoria, B.C.
The teams will play Friday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. at Forks High School.
Forks athletic director Mark Feasel said the Spartans and Rams have agreed to a two-year deal. Mount Douglas will travel to Forks again in 2015.
The Associated Press Prep Football Preseason Poll
Class 4A
W-L Points
1. Bothell (6) 0-0 92
2. Chiawana (2) 0-0 89
3. Skyline (1) 0-0 75
4. Federal Way (1) 0-0 74
5. Camas (1) 0-0 57
6. Gonzaga Prep 0-0 49
(tie) Union 0-0 49
8. Graham-Kapowsin 0-0 45
9. Ferris 0-0 32
10. Lake Stevens 0-0 18
Others receiving 6 or more points: None.
Class 3A
W-L Points
1. Bellevue (11) 0-0 110
2. O’Dea 0-0 91
3. Eastside Catholic 0-0 86
4. Marysville-Pilchuck 0-0 60
5. Shadle Park 0-0 59
6. Lakes 0-0 37
7. Mt. Spokane 0-0 30
8. Columbia River 0-0 21
9. Peninsula 0-0 18
10. Glacier Peak 0-0 14
Others receiving 6 or more points: 11, Kamiakin 13. 12, Kennedy 12. 12, Meadowdale 12. 14, Auburn 9. 15, Central Kitsap 8. 16, Ferndale 7.
Class 2A
W-L Points
1. Lynden (12) 0-0 120
2. Tumwater 0-0 107
3. Ellensburg 0-0 94
4. Prosser 0-0 80
5. Mark Morris 0-0 47
6. W. F. West 0-0 36
7. Lindbergh 0-0 31
(tie) Othello 0-0 31
9. Hockinson 0-0 20
10. Liberty (Renton) 0-0 18
Others receiving 6 or more points: 11, East Valley (Spokane) 16. 12, West Valley (Spokane) 13. 13, North Kitsap 11. 14, Lakewood 9. 14, Sedro-Woolley 9.
Class 1A
W-L Points
1. Freeman (12) 0-0 120
2. Cascade Christian 0-0 107
3. Royal 0-0 79
4. LaCenter 0-0 75
5. Montesano 0-0 49
6. Connell 0-0 46
7. Mount Baker 0-0 43
8. King’s 0-0 41
9. Cashmere 0-0 36
10. Tenino 0-0 28
Others receiving 6 or more points: 11, Zillah 16. 12, Meridian 8.
Class 2B
W-L Points
1. Lind-Ritzville Sprague (5) 0-0 100
2. Napavine (5) 0-0 97
3. Colfax 0-0 76
4. Waitsburg-Prescott (1)0-0 68
5. Toledo 0-0 64
6. Adna 0-0 50
7. Morton-White Pass 0-0 43
8. Raymond 0-0 28
9. Reardan 0-0 25
10. White Swan 0-0 17
Others receiving 6 or more points: 11, North Beach 16. 12, DeSales 7.
Class 1B
1. Lummi (7) 0-0 97
2. Neah Bay (3) 0-0 87
3. Touchet 0-0 75
4. Liberty Christian 0-0 72
5. Colton 0-0 15
Others receiving 6 or more points: 11, Odessa-Harrington 12. 11, Naselle 12.
