With the regular season moving into the final weeks, Washington’s Class 3A football landscape is beginning to take shape. Some of the most recent matchups have delivered dominant performances from traditional powers, important conference victories and several results that could influence postseason positioning. In the Seattle Metro League, Eastside Catholic and O’Dea have continued to separate themselves from the competition, while programs across the state are making their own statements as the playoff race intensifies.
Eastside Catholic has been particularly impressive, outscoring Bishop Blanchet and Ballard by a combined 86–17 over the past two games. The Crusaders defeated Bishop Blanchet 41–14 on October 2 before overwhelming Ballard 45–3 on October 9. The back-to-back victories have reinforced Eastside Catholic’s reputation as one of the state’s premier 3A programs. More importantly, they have positioned the Crusaders for a highly anticipated October 16 meeting with O’Dea, a game that could help determine the balance of power in the Metro League.
O’Dea has been equally convincing. The defending 3A state champions defeated Seattle Prep 35–6 on October 2 and followed with a 40–7 victory over Lincoln of Seattle on October 9. Over those two games, the Fighting Irish surrendered just 13 points while scoring 75, another demonstration of the defensive discipline and physical football that have defined the program. With Eastside Catholic awaiting, O’Dea enters one of its biggest regular-season tests carrying considerable momentum.
Seattle Prep experienced both sides of Metro League competition during the two-week stretch. Following its 35–6 defeat against O’Dea, the Panthers responded with an emphatic 60–13 victory over West Seattle on October 9. The 60-point performance offered an encouraging response to the previous week’s disappointment and demonstrated that Seattle Prep remains capable of producing explosive offensive performances. For the Panthers, sustaining that production against stronger competition will be essential as the postseason approaches.
Rainier Beach also made a strong impression, shutting out Ballard 48–0 on October 1 before defeating Chief Sealth 62–13 on October 9. The Vikings accumulated 110 points in those two contests, providing one of the most striking offensive totals in the Metro League over the period. Bishop Blanchet, meanwhile, rebounded from its loss to Eastside Catholic with a 31–19 victory over Roosevelt, keeping the Bears in the conference conversation.
Beyond Seattle, several South Sound programs have produced noteworthy results. Mount Tahoma followed a 48–0 shutout of Bellarmine Prep on October 2 with a dramatic 23–21 victory over Lincoln of Tacoma on October 9. Peninsula also put together an impressive two-week stretch, defeating Capital 40–28 before overwhelming North Thurston 48–6. Meanwhile, Silas recorded a pair of decisive victories, beating Central Kitsap 52–3 and Bellarmine Prep 37–22. These results underscore the depth of competition beyond the traditional Seattle-area contenders.
In Eastern Washington, Ridgeline continued to build momentum with two convincing victories. The Falcons defeated University 52–7 on October 2 before shutting out Central Valley 35–0 on October 9. Against Central Valley, running back Jaxin Fieser rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, while quarterback Marcus Mitrovich threw two touchdown passes to Kyson Olson. Ridgeline improved to 5–1 overall and 3–0 in Greater Spokane League play, making the Falcons a team worth watching as the season enters its final stretch.
Elsewhere, the 3A picture remains competitive. Mount Spokane defeated Lewis and Clark 37–21 on October 2 but suffered a 49–16 loss to Mead the following week. Cheney, meanwhile, beat Central Valley 41–14 before falling 31–27 to Gonzaga Prep in a closely contested October 9 matchup. Cheney quarterback Connor Collins threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns in the narrow defeat. Although these cross-classification games do not necessarily determine 3A postseason positioning, they provide valuable tests against quality opponents.
The next two weeks will be particularly important for teams seeking favorable playoff positioning. For established contenders, the challenge is maintaining consistency while avoiding costly injuries and unexpected losses. For programs still fighting to establish themselves, every remaining conference game represents an opportunity to improve their postseason prospects. The difference between a favorable playoff matchup and a difficult opening-round assignment may ultimately come down to a handful of possessions in October.
All eyes now turn toward the October 16 showdown between Eastside Catholic and O’Dea. Both teams enter the matchup following consecutive commanding victories, and their contrasting strengths promise another compelling chapter in one of Washington high school football’s premier rivalries. Yet the larger story extends well beyond a single game. From Seattle to Tacoma and Spokane, the past two weeks have demonstrated that Washington’s Class 3A football season is gaining intensity at precisely the right moment. With the postseason approaching, the contenders are emerging—but the championship picture is far from settled.