The Crusaders enter the game ranked among Washington’s top 3A teams after going 10-2 last season and advancing to the state semifinals. Eastside Catholic was particularly dominant defensively in 2025, allowing just 83 points over 12 games, including only 55.45 rushing yards per game. The Crusaders also established a school record by allowing an average of just 7.27 points per game. That defense will be tested by a Seattle Prep offense that scored 30 points in a 30-0 victory over Chief Sealth in Week 1.

Seattle Prep will be looking for a very different result from last year’s meeting. Eastside Catholic defeated the Panthers 41-9 on Oct. 17, 2025, as the Crusaders controlled both sides of the ball. At the time, Eastside Catholic was averaging 36.8 points per game, while Seattle Prep was averaging 28.3. The Panthers finished last season 6-4, while Eastside Catholic finished 10-2 and ultimately reached the state semifinals.

One of the most important players to watch for Seattle Prep is quarterback Leo Harnetiaux. The 6-foot-3 senior enters his second season of significant varsity experience after completing 14 of 17 passes for 168 yards in a 2025 victory over Mountlake Terrace. He also rushed for 46 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Running back Reilly Cahill is another player to watch after rushing for 92 yards on 23 carries in that same 2025 contest. The Panthers will likely need both Harnetiaux’s ability to extend plays and Cahill’s physical running style if they hope to keep Eastside Catholic’s defense from dictating the game.

Eastside Catholic enters with several returning players who could make an impact. Jordan Meas, now a junior quarterback, also returns after seeing varsity action throughout last season, including a touchdown pass against Ballard and another against Roosevelt. The current Eastside Catholic roster also features senior wide receiver Nepo Fareti, junior receiver Simon Nlend, and senior linebacker/running back Santana Sahagun, giving new head coach Jeremy Thielbahr plenty of experienced pieces to work with.

The early-season numbers suggest both teams are arriving with confidence. Seattle Prep shut out Chief Sealth 30-0 in its opener, while Eastside Catholic defeated West Seattle 47-13. The Crusaders’ 47 points represented an impressive offensive start under Thielbahr, who has returned to the program after previously leading Eastside Catholic through one of the most successful periods in school history.

The biggest question Friday may be whether Seattle Prep can generate enough offense against an Eastside Catholic defense that has historically been one of the classification’s toughest. The Panthers have the quarterback experience and returning skill-position talent to make the game competitive, but Eastside Catholic’s combination of size, speed and depth could make sustaining drives difficult. For Seattle Prep, avoiding turnovers and finding ways to stay ahead of the chains will be critical.

For Eastside Catholic, meanwhile, this is an opportunity to establish itself early as one of the teams capable of challenging for another deep postseason run. The Crusaders already have a 47-point performance and a Week 1 victory behind them, but Seattle Prep represents a considerably more demanding test. The Panthers will enter Friday knowing they have already shown the ability to shut down an opponent defensively—and that last year’s 41-9 loss is still fresh enough to provide plenty of motivation.

With both teams 1-0, the matchup carries significance well beyond September. Eastside Catholic has the recent history, the defensive numbers and the home-field advantage. Seattle Prep has momentum, a talented senior quarterback and an opportunity to show that this year’s team is considerably different from the one that lost by 32 points a year ago. By Friday night, one of the Metro’s early contenders will leave Sammamish with its first signature victory of the season—and the other will have plenty to think about heading into Week 3.

The victory was particularly encouraging for Eastside Catholic after the Crusaders started the season with a 1-1 draw against Mercer Island. Eastside Catholic’s ability to keep Kennedy Catholic off the scoreboard provided an early glimpse of the defensive discipline that could become a defining characteristic for this top 3A team. The Crusaders are coming off a 2025 season in which they reached the state tournament semifinals, raising expectations for another deep postseason run in 2026.

Kennedy Catholic entered the match with momentum after scoring four goals against West Seattle in its opener. The Lancers, who compete at the 4A level in the North Puget Sound League, were unable to reproduce that offensive production against an Eastside Catholic defense that recorded the shutout. Despite the loss, Kennedy Catholic has plenty of season remaining, with another road test against Stadium coming Thursday.

For Eastside Catholic, the victory sets up an immediate test of just how quickly this year’s squad can establish itself among the area’s top programs. The Crusaders travel to face Bellevue on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., giving them little time to celebrate Tuesday’s win before facing another formidable opponent. If Eastside Catholic can carry the confidence and defensive consistency from the Kennedy Catholic match into that contest, the Bellevue game could provide an even clearer indication of the Crusaders’ potential in 2026.

For Washington, the Apple Cup ended with the result the Huskies wanted most: a 24-10 victory over Washington State at Husky Stadium. The game was competitive for much of the afternoon, but Washington eventually pulled away behind quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who accounted for both a passing and rushing touchdown. Williams completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and added 61 yards on the ground, giving the Huskies a dynamic presence that could become increasingly important as the season progresses.

The loss was a difficult beginning for Washington State and first-year head coach Kirby Moore, but the Cougars showed enough defensively to suggest they may be more competitive than the final score indicated. Washington State held the Huskies to just 3.3 yards per carry and pressured Williams throughout the afternoon. The problem was an offense that struggled to sustain drives, converting none of its 11 third-down opportunities while committing three turnovers. Quarterback Caden Pinnick nevertheless showed flashes, rushing for 61 yards and a touchdown in his first game as a Cougar.

For Washington, the victory represents more than simply a 1-0 start. The Huskies have now retained the Apple Cup trophy while continuing their transition into the Big Ten. There were flaws—most notably 130 penalty yards—but there were also encouraging signs from Williams and a defense that limited Washington State to 242 total yards. With Utah State coming to Husky Stadium next, Washington has an opportunity to build momentum before the schedule becomes significantly more demanding.

One of the weekend’s most impressive performances came from No. 4 Notre Dame, which traveled to Green Bay and defeated Wisconsin 41-13 at historic Lambeau Field. The Irish led only 13-10 at halftime before taking control in the second half. Quarterback C.J. Carr threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Aneyas Williams rushed for 90 yards and two scores. Notre Dame’s defense added a major turning point with a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown by DJ McKinney.

The result was particularly significant because Wisconsin had managed to stay within striking distance for much of the first half. Notre Dame’s ability to turn a competitive game into a 28-point victory demonstrated the kind of second-half depth that playoff contenders need. For head coach Marcus Freeman and the Irish, the opening weekend could hardly have gone much better. Notre Dame returns home next week to face Rice, giving the Irish a chance to move to 2-0 before the schedule intensifies.

In Eugene, No. 2 Oregon survived one of the weekend’s most entertaining games, defeating Boise State 34-27. The Broncos jumped ahead early and led by 10 points before Oregon gradually found its rhythm. Quarterback Dante Moore ultimately threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns, including a 62-yard touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore with 8:45 remaining that broke a 27-27 tie.

The victory was particularly important for Oregon because Boise State proved it can compete with one of the nation’s elite programs. The Broncos produced 274 yards of offense and never allowed the Ducks to turn the game into a runaway. Oregon, however, finished with 497 total yards, and the late connection between Dante Moore and Dakorien Moore provided the decisive play. After another strong performance against Oregon, Boise State looks like a team that could remain relevant in the national playoff conversation despite the opening loss.

Elsewhere, the opening weekend produced several emphatic statements. LSU overwhelmed Clemson 51-10 in Baton Rouge, while No. 1 Ohio State rolled past Ball State 56-3 behind a spectacular performance from quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith. No. 7 Miami also dominated Stanford 45-6, with quarterback Darian Mensah throwing five touchdown passes and Malachi Toney catching three of them. Meanwhile, Ole Miss survived Louisville 41-38 on a last-second 48-yard field goal in one of the weekend’s most dramatic finishes.

If the first weekend is any indication, the 2026 season could be one of the most compelling in recent memory. Washington has an early rivalry victory, Oregon has survived a serious playoff-caliber challenge, Notre Dame has demonstrated second-half dominance, and Boise State has shown that it can play with the nation’s best. With conference races still months away from being decided and the College Football Playoff picture only beginning to take shape, the opening weekend offered exactly what college football promises every September: new contenders, old rivalries and plenty of reasons to keep watching.

The opening week of Washington’s 2026 high school football season provided plenty of excitement and evidence that the 3A race could be one of the most competitive in the state. From Seattle to the South Sound, several schools with established programs opened with impressive victories, while others were handed early tests that could prove valuable as the season progresses. With just one week in the books, it is far too early to identify a favorite—but several teams have already made their presence known.

The defending state champion O’Dea Fighting Irish looked every bit like a team capable of making another championship run. O’Dea traveled to Roosevelt and came away with a 56-28 victory, scoring 28 points in the opening quarter and piling up more than 450 yards of offense. Running back J’Shaun Wilson was particularly impressive, rushing for 229 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries. The Irish have now won 14 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Eastside Catholic also delivered a strong opening statement. The Crusaders defeated West Seattle 47-12 in a game that demonstrated the depth and explosiveness that have made the program a perennial 3A contender. Eastside Catholic entered the season ranked among Washington’s top teams and will quickly find out where it stands when it hosts Seattle Prep in Week 2.

Perhaps the most surprising result involving a preseason contender came in Tacoma, where Mount Tahoma fell to Hawaii’s Waipahu, 26-7. The Thunderbirds reached the 3A state championship game last season before falling to O’Dea, and expectations remain high for a program that has established itself as one of the state’s premier 3A teams. The Week 1 loss, however, immediately gives Mount Tahoma something to prove when it returns to Washington competition.

Bellevue, meanwhile, began its season with the type of defensive battle that has become familiar to followers of the Wolverines. Ranked No. 1 in the state’s 3A classification entering the season, Bellevue defeated Kennedy Catholic 14-10 on Saturday. It was hardly an offensive showcase, but the result demonstrated Bellevue’s ability to win a close game against a quality opponent—and those kinds of victories often become important later in the season.

In the 3A Metro, Rainier Beach also made an early statement, traveling to Bishop Blanchet and returning home with a 41-19 victory. The Vikings entered the season ranked among the state’s top 3A programs and wasted little time establishing themselves as another team to watch in what should be a highly competitive Metro race. Bishop Blanchet, meanwhile, will look to regroup before facing Lincoln in Week 2.

Seattle Prep had one of the more convincing defensive performances of the opening week, shutting out Chief Sealth 30-0. The Panthers begin the season 1-0 and now face one of the toughest possible tests in the classification when they travel to Sammamish to meet Eastside Catholic. That matchup should provide an early measuring stick for a Seattle Prep team that is currently ranked among Washington’s top 3A programs.

The North Puget Sound 3A also produced several noteworthy results. Auburn Mountainview opened with a 44-12 victory over Todd Beamer, while Federal Way blanked Kent-Meridian 42-0. Enumclaw was even more dominant, overwhelming Jefferson 70-0 on Saturday. Those results suggest that the race in the NPSL could become particularly interesting as Auburn Mountainview, Federal Way and Enumclaw begin working through league play.

Skyline also survived its opening challenge, defeating Kentwood 28-19 on Thursday night. The game was scoreless at halftime before the Spartans found their offensive rhythm in the second half. Quarterback Knox Carr threw two touchdown passes, while Ari Gibbons added a rushing touchdown. Kentwood quarterback Calvin Ibale threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns despite the loss, giving the Conquerors plenty of positives to build on heading into Week 2.

Not every 3A contender had the opening night it envisioned. Peninsula, a longtime force in the classification, traveled to 2A power WF West and fell 42-21. The Seahawks were competitive early but couldn’t overcome a fast start by the Bearcats. For Peninsula, the result is less a reason for panic than an early opportunity to identify what needs to improve before the 3A schedule becomes more demanding.

If Week 1 proved anything, it is that Washington’s 3A classification has plenty of depth. O’Dea, Bellevue, Eastside Catholic and Rainier Beach all opened with victories, while programs such as Skyline, Auburn Mountainview, Federal Way and Enumclaw also made strong early impressions. Mount Tahoma and Peninsula, meanwhile, will have to respond after difficult opening-week results. With league play beginning to take shape, the road to the Tacoma Dome is already looking crowded—and Week 2 should provide an even clearer picture of which teams are genuine championship contenders.

At the top of the list is defending State Champs, Bellevue, which proved throughout last season that it could survive the pressure of the postseason and win the close games that define a championship run. The Wolverines’ state title immediately makes them the program everyone else will be chasing. Liberty should also be right in the mix after reaching the championship match, while Roosevelt, the 2023 state champion, remains one of the state’s most consistently dangerous programs after another strong season in 2025.

Two other Metro-area powers complete the top five: Eastside Catholic enters the season following a strong 2025 campaign and remains capable of making a deep postseason run. Seattle Prep failed to qualify for the State Tournament in 2025 and will be aiming to demonstrate the kind of consistency that made the school a perennial factor in the classification. The battles among Bellevue, Roosevelt, Eastside Catholic and Seattle Prep should once again make the Seattle-area soccer landscape one of the most competitive in the state.

Of course, the beauty of Washington’s 3A classification is that the championship picture rarely remains unchanged for long. Mount Spokane, Gig Harbor, Holy Names Academy, Ridgeline and Central Kitsap are among the other programs capable of breaking into the conversation. But as the new season begins, Bellevue has earned the target on its back—and Liberty, Roosevelt, Eastside Catholic and Seattle Prep appear ready to make sure the road back to the state championship is anything but easy.

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This sports documentary premiere is presented by:

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