Navigating 2023 schedule: Best week-to-week games to watch in Washington high school football

From Tri-Cities to Vancouver, Pierce County to Whatcom County - and in the talent-rich 3A Metro League in Seattle - the fall slate is loaded with must-see showdowns

Looking for a good Washington high school football game to plan a night out for?

We've got you covered.

SBLive WA breaks down the WIAA regular-season schedule (Weeks 1-9), prioritizing the must-see games each week:

WEEK 1 (Aug. 31-Sept. 2): Kamiakin (4A) at Chiawana (4A), Friday, 7 p.m., Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco

Photo by Todd Milles

These two programs have combined to win past five Mid-Columbia Conference titles - with host Riverhawks coming in as defending champions.

Runner-up recommendation: Garfield (3A) at Lake Stevens (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Rivalry alert: Ferndale (3A) at Lynden (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Non-league appeal: North Kitsap (2A) at Mount Tahoma (3A), Friday, 7 p.m., Mount Tahoma Stadium.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Yelm (3A) at Camas (4A), Friday, 7:15 p.m., Doc Harris Stadium.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Lynden Christian (1A) at Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Peninsula at Enumclaw (Thu., 7 p.m.), Eastside Catholic at Orange Lutheran CA (Fri., 7 p.m.), Federal Way at Eastlake (Fri., 7 p.m.), Rainier Beach at Highline (Fri., 7 p.m.), Bellevue at Central Catholic OR (Sat., 2 p.m.), Liberty Bell at Neah Bay (Sat., 3 p.m. at Oak Harbor HS).

WEEK 2 (Sept. 7-Sept. 9): Curtis (4A) at Sumner (4A), Friday, 7 p.m., Sunset Chev Stadium, Sumner

Photo by Vince Miller

Once again, 4A SPSL is wasting no time pitting its best against one another. Sign us up for any early-season game that might have league title implications down the road.

Runner-up recommendation: Lake Stevens (4A) at Bellevue (3A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Rivalry alert: Napavine (2B) at Onalaska (2B), Friday, 7 p.m.

Non-league appeal: Prosser (2A) at Skyline (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Graham-Kapowsin (4A) at Puyallup (4A), Friday, 7 p.m., Sparks Stadium.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Tumwater (2A) at North Kitsap (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Mount Baker at Wenatchee (Fri., 6 p.m.), Camas at Glacier Peak (Fri., 7 p.m.), Post Falls ID at Sunnyside (Fri., 7 p.m.), Tualatin OR at Lincoln of Tacoma (Fri., 7 p.m.), Washougal at Toppenish (Fri., 7 p.m.), Zillah at Tenino (Sat., 2 p.m.)

WEEK 3 (Sept. 14-Sept. 16): Skyline (4A) at Eastlake (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Photo by Todd Milles

Eastlake will look to avenge 2022 "Battle of the Plateau" loss to 4A KingCo champion Skyline, which now has hall of famer Steve Gervais back at helm as the coach. 

Runner-up recommendation: O'Dea (3A) at Rainier Beach (3A), Friday, 5 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Seattle.

Rivalry alert: Peninsula (3A) at Gig Harbor (3A), Friday, 7 p.m., Roy Anderson Field, Purdy.

Non-league appeal: Lincoln of Tacoma (3A) at Camas (4A), 7 p.m., Doc Harris Stadium, Camas.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Glacier Peak (4A) at Ferndale (3A), 7 p.m.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Nooksack Valley )1A) at King's (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Bothell at Skyview (Fri., 7 p.m.), Enumclaw at Steilacoom (Fri., 7 p.m.), Kamiak at Monroe (Fri., 7 p.m.), Royal at Zillah (Fri., 7 p.m.), Selah at Ellensburg (Fri., 7 p.m.), West Valley of Yakima at Davis (Fri., 7 p.m.).

WEEK 4 (Sept. 21-Sept. 23): West Linn OR (6A) at Lake Stevens (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Photo by Steve Faber

This time, the interstate clash up north in Washington will feature teams coming off state-championship runs. Oregon powerhouse that had its way with the Vikings, 45-6, a season ago.

Runner-up recommendation: Kennewick (3A) at Kamiakin (4A), Friday, 7 p.m., Lampson Stadium.

Rivalry alert: Freeman (1A) at Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Non-league appeal: Royal (1A) at Lynden Christian (1A), Saturday, 2 p.m.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Chiawana (4A) at Richland (4A), Friday, 7 p.m., Fran Rish Stadium.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Lynden (2A) at Sedro-Woolley (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Coeur d'Alene ID at Woodinville (Thu., 6 p.m.), Puyallup at Sumner (Thu., 7 p.m.), Cashmere at Toppenish (Fri., 7 p.m.), Emerald Ridge at Curtis (Fri., 7 p.m), Okanogan at Chewelah (Fri., 7 p.m.)., Lincoln of Tacoma at Mount Tahoma (Fri., 7:30 p.m.).

WEEK 5 (Sept. 28-Sept. 30): Eastside Catholic (3A) at O'Dea (3A), Friday, 8 p.m., West Seattle Stadium

Photo by Vince Miller

Had 3A Metro League title implications in 2022 - and very well could again this season. Eastside Catholic beat the Irish twice last year, including in Class 3A semifinals.

Runner-up recommendation: Skyline (4A) at Bothell (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Rivalry alert: Tumwater (2A) at W.F. West (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Non-league appeal: Mount Spokane (3A) at Post Falls ID, Friday, 7 p.m.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Eastmont (4A) at Sunnyside (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Sedro-Woolley (2A) at Anacortes (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Arlington at Stanwood (Fri., 7 p.m.), Brewster at Lake Roosevelt (Fri., 7 p.m.), Gig Harbor at Timberline (Fri., 7 p.m.), Kennewick at Chiawana (Fri., 7 p.m.), Ridgefield at Washougal (Fri., 7 p.m.), Tenino at Eatonville (Sat., 1 p.m.)

WEEK 6 (Oct. 5-Oct. 7): Lynden Christian (1A) at Nooksack Valley (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Photo by Hailey Palmer

Upstart Pioneers ended the Lyncs' season in the league mini-tiebreaker (three teams playing for two spots). The winner of this one could be in 1A Northwest Conference driver's seat.

Runner-up recommendation: Richland (4A) at Kennewick (3A), Friday, 7 p.m., Lampson Stadium.

Rivalry alert: Othello (2A) at Prosser (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Non-league appeal: Lake Stevens (4A) at Eastlake (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Garfield (3A) at Eastside Catholic (3A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Eatonville (1A) at Montesano (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Enumclaw at Washington (Fri., 7 p.m.), Federal Way at Tahoma (Fri., 7 p.m.), Mount Spokane at Central Valley (Fri., 7 p.m.), Raymond-South Bend at Neah Bay (Fri., 7 p.m.), Union at Stanwood (Fri., 7 p.m.), West Valley of Yakima at Eastmont (Fri., 7 p.m.).

WEEK 7 (Oct. 12-Oct. 14): Skyview (4A) at Camas (4A), Friday, 7 p.m., Doc Harris Stadium, Camas

Photo by Ken Nowaczyk

Skyview had a golden opportunity to win its first outright 4A GSHL title since 2011 - until a furious Camas' rally sunk those hopes last season. Likely will battle it out again for league title this fall.

Runner-up recommendation: Rainier Beach (3A) at Garfield (3A), Friday, 7:45 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Seattle.

Rivalry alert: Woodinville (4A) at Bothell (4A), Friday, 7 p.m., Pop Keeney Stadium, Bothell.

Non-league appeal: Selah (2A) at Zillah (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Central Valley (4A) at Gonzaga Prep (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Mount Baker (1A) at Nooksack Valley (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Fife at Enumclaw (Thu. 7 p.m.), Chiawana at Southridge (Fri., 7 p.m.), Liberty of Spangle at Chewelah (Fri., 7 p.m.), Mountain View at Kelso (Fri., 7 p.m.), Moses Lake at Sunnyside (Fri., 7 p.m.), Auburn Riverside at Kennedy Catholic (Sat., 1 p.m.)

WEEK 8 (Oct. 19-Oct. 21): Graham-Kapowsin (4A) at Emerald Ridge (4A), Saturday, 7 p.m.

Photo by Vince Miller

Preseason 4A SPSL favorites have plenty of difficult tests before this point, but can you imagine if both programs are undefeated heading into this blockbuster showdown? Tasty thought.

Runner-up recommendation: Stanwood (3A) at Ferndale (3A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Rivalry alert: Lincoln of Tacoma (3A) at Lakes (3A), Friday, 7 p.m., Harry E. Lang Stadium.

Non-league appeal: Kelso (3A) at Othello (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Gonzaga Prep (4A) at Mount Spokane (3A), Friday, 7 p.m., Union Stadium, Mead.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Montesano (1A) and Tenino (1A), 7 p.m., Friday.

Six more to look at: North Creek at Woodinville (Fri., 1 p.m.), Black Hills at Shelton (Fri., 7 p.m.), Camas at Union (Fri., 7 p.m.), Peninsula at Yelm (Fri., 7 p.m.), West Valley of Yakima at Moses Lake (Fri., 7 p.m.), Eastside Catholic at Rainier Beach (Fri., 7:45 p.m.).

WEEK 9 (Oct. 26-Oct. 28): Anacortes (2A) at Lynden (2A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Photo by Vince Miller

This one decided 2A Northwest Conference title last year, and there's no reason to doubt that won't be the case again in 2023 with these two heavyweights - with the possibility of WIAA playoff rematch a month later.

Runner-up recommendation: Lake Stevens (4A) at Glacier Peak (4A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Rivalry alert: Mount Spokane (3A) at Mead (3A), Friday, 7 p.m., Union Stadium, Mead.

Non-league appeal: Richland (4A) at Mountain View (3A), Friday, 4:30 p.m., McKenzie Stadium.

Large-school showdown (4A-3A): Lakes (3A) at Mount Tahoma (3A), Friday, 7 p.m., Mount Tahoma Stadium.

Small-school dandy (2A-B): Mount Baker (1A) at Lynden Christian (1A), Friday, 7 p.m.

Six more to look at: Auburn Riverside at Auburn (Fri., 7 p.m.), Bethel at Graham-Kapowsin (Fri., 7 p.m.), Evergreen of Vancouver at Kelso (Fri., 7 p.m.), Gig Harbor at Yelm (Fri., 7 p.m.), Moses Lake at Eastmont (Fri. 7 p.m.), Tri-Cities Prep at Columbia of Burbank (Fri., 7 p.m.).