Here's why these 6 programs hold No. 1 ranking at outset of 2022 Washington high school football season

All of them at least reached the WIAA semifinals last fall, with Bellevue and Lynden capturing state championships

With summer football officially closing this weekend, here is a look at the top-ranked teams in each classification for 2022 Washington high school football by SBLive WA reporter Todd Milles:

LAKE STEVENS VIKINGS (4A)

Photo by Todd Milles

2021 result: 11-1 record; lost to Graham-Kapowsin in the state title game.

Headliner: Jayden Limar. Arguably the state's top running back is a Notre Dame commit and gives this offense plenty of big-play juice.

Watch out for: Isaac Redford. Last fall, he was, at best, the No. 3 pass-catching option in deep corps. Now, he's the go-to guy as a starting flanker.

Skinny: In terms of star power with the Limar brothers (Jayden, Jayshon) and experience and depth along both fronts, the Vikings are set up best in the classification to take home the gold ball. Brutal non-league slate with Garfield, Bellevue, Eastlake, Federal Way and Oregon powerhouse West Linn before closing the regular season against Glacier Peak.

BELLEVUE WOLVERINES (3A)

Photo by Vince Miller

2021 result: 14-0 record; defeated Kennewick for the state title.

Headliner: Hogan Hansen. The state is full of fantastic tight ends, but his ability as a blocker makes him the best of the best.

Watch out for: Willie Wascher. He played mostly on defense as a ninth grader, but shifts to left tackle and projects as a D1 recruit.

Skinny: The riches are theirs - likely preseason No. 1 all-classification nod and the best candidate to crack SBLive Sports' preseason top 25 rankings. Wolverines will miss the accomplished group of graduated seniors, especially along the offensive line and all-state running back Willie Wang. But the upcoming Wing-T version has much more big-play capability, especially with Lucas Razore returning at quarterback.

LYNDEN LIONS (2A)

Photo by Vince Miller

2021 result: 12-1 record; defeated Tumwater for the state title.

Headliner: Lane Heeringa. The battering ram was the go-to running back in the playoffs, and is on the short list of state player of the year favorites.

Watch out for: Troy Petz. Yes, he is an all-state punter. This fall, this speedster could evolve into the state's top three-way threat (WR/CB/KOR).

Skinny: Talk about flipping the script, the Lions went from up-and-coming underdogs to Tumwater last fall to now the most decisive favorite (35 seniors) in any classification in 2022. With 15 returning starters, including the entire offensive line and Heeringa, Lynden can win most games just by playing power football. But there's so much more skill and speed up and down the lineup, too.

EATONVILLE CRUISERS (1A)

Photo by Trinity Potter

2021 result: 13-1 record; lost to Royal in the state title game.

Headliner: Kyle Cox. Coach Gavin Kralik thinks this is as good an offensive line as can be found anywhere, and a recent Boise State commit anchors it.

Watch out for: Shay Brannon. The team's top returning basketball player is now out for football - and should make big jump-ball plays as an outside receiver.

Skinny: Kralik will be the first one to admit there was an offseason "hangover" after the team's 41-0 loss to Royal in the 1A title game. But Cruisers know there is still a window to win it all. The offensive line is massive and pulverizing - and has near-1,000-yard rusher Dylan Norman returning. The biggest key might be Job Kralik's expanded role at wide receiver and quarterback as a big-play "slash" weapon.

NAPAVINE TIGERS (2B)

Photo by Paul Caldwell

2021 result: 12-1 record; lost to Kalama in the state title game.

Headliner: Ashton Demarest. Sets up to be a big year for the third-year starting quarterback, including as a "run-you-over" rusher.

Watch out for: Carson Denault. Last fall, he was seen as a high-upside ninth grader. Now he will be counted on as a big-play slot receiver.

Skinny: If it wasn't for Jackson Esary and Kalama's extended run, Napavine might be on a streak of state title-game appearances (and wins). And while Utah-bound tackle Keith Olson is gone, the Tigers have a plethora of skill-position wizards to throw at defenses - and an experienced trigger man in Demarest to make it all go. Josh Fay's group has more ways to win games than anybody in 2022.

ODESSA TIGERS (1B)

Photo by Carrie Isaak

2021 result: 10-2 record; lost to Quilcene in state semifinals.

Headliner: Gage Starkel. Ideal strength-speed combination to become a 2,000-yard rusher, and all-state running back for Tigers.

Watch out for: Jacob Scrupps. The potential all-state performer is "running back playing on the line (at guard)," coach Jeff Nelson says.

Skinny: Nobody that faced the 2019 state champions is going to shed a tear over the Tigers' injury-filled fall season, but they were a walking-wounded bunch, especially in the playoffs. Most of them return, however, led by quarterback Collin Martin and running backs Anthony Elder and Starkel, who are all seniors. Odessa might not be the definitive favorite as in recent years past, but talent is there.