Matt Evans possesses a unique and enduring curiosity.
Couple that with his expertise in linear statistics and his enthusiasm for a variety of sports, and you have the foundation for one of the most invaluable predictive tools in Washington high school athletics, known as the “Evans Rankings.”
This computer-generated ranking system is well-known among everyone connected with WIAA sports—athletes, coaches, administrators, fans, and even fellow media members.
When it comes to reliability and consistency, many coaches lean toward Evans Rankings instead of other algorithm-driven rankings, including the WIAA’s own rating percentage index (RPI), which plays a significant role in state playoff selection.
“Far superior,” remarked former Lakewood football coach Dan Teeter, a member of the Washington State Football Coaches Association (WSFCA) board. “Very helpful.”
Glacier Peak football coach Shane Keck added, “I love them. I think his computer rankings are on par with (CalPreps.com) and are better than the RPI. Moreover, he is open to making adjustments to improve them.”
Starting from a young age, Evans—now 39—exhibited characteristics that would ultimately lead to his remarkable creation.
While learning basic arithmetic, he would sum up jersey numbers found in fan programs at Tri-City Americans minor-league hockey games alongside his family, aiming for a specific total.
At home, he devised imaginary custom leagues, tracked results from his NHL video game, and organized them using spreadsheets.
In fact, he was the child who tried to predict the total price as items passed through the grocery store scanner.
“I remember when Pasco and Kentwood faced off in the state semifinal game in 2000, and I wondered if I could predict the winner by evaluating Pasco’s last five game scores and how many points Kentwood had surrendered,” Evans shared. “I was using a very simple formula.”
He noted that a basic version of his rankings began back in 1999 during his junior high school years, gradually developing through his time at Hanford High School (where he graduated in 2004) and into adulthood as he honed his skills with Excel and Google Sheets.
“I taught myself,” Evans stated.
In 2013, Evans made his rankings public as an alternative to an established Vancouver-based platform called “:Score Czar,” founded by Scott Odiorne.
As time went on, Score Czar faded while Evans’ rankings gained significant traction.
“They have evolved, and while the formula for football rankings remains quite similar to its original design, it has seen substantial changes for basketball and baseball,” Evans explained.
Evans has become a go-to resource for sports enthusiasts—covering high school, college, and professional levels. His Washington high school football scheduling spreadsheet grants him unique matchmaking abilities when a team suddenly schedules a game.
He mentioned that, on average, 10 to 15 coaches reach out to him seeking suitable game replacements.
“That is really cool,” said Evans. “I love sharing my knowledge… I’m always curious about how things work and how I can improve them.”
Today, Evans has a notable presence across social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and regularly appears on statewide podcasts. He’s even exploring hosting his own online video blog.
Not a bad side gig for the career paraeducator in the Kennewick School District, who dedicates approximately 6 to 8 hours a week during the school season (even more during the offseason) to rankings and playoff predictions during quiet times at home with his wife, Laurie, and while his 2-year-old son, Carter, is asleep.
“Honestly, I don’t have an ultimate goal with this venture,” Evans stated. “If I do this for fun for the rest of my life and never earn a penny from it, I would still consider myself a happy person.”
