2016 TNT preseason all-state football team

OFFENSE

 

QB – Jacob Sirmon, Bothell, 6-5, 220, jr.: UW commit suffered growing pains first year starting, with Cougars finishing sixth in 4A KingCo. Sirmon threw for 1,833 yards and 19 TDs.

RB – Andrew Vargas, Chiawana, 5-9, 205, sr.: Reigning MCC co-offensive player of the year ran for 2,145 yards and 25 touchdowns last year. Wrap up and hold on for dear life.

RB – Bryce Hoisington, Vashon Island, 5-8, 170, sr.: New coach, new offense this year after 1A Nisqually MVP Hoisington ran for state single-season record 2,929 yards and 32 TDs.

WR – Devin Culp, Gonzaga Prep, jr.: Extremely high ceiling for Oregon commit. Scored two TDs in 4A state title win. Was also second-leading scorer for G-Prep’s state semifinal basketball team.

WR – Hunter Eckstrom, Lake Stevens, 6-0, 185, sr.: Was current Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason’s favorite target last year, with 70 catches for 1,052 yards.

TE – Hunter Bryant, Eastside Catholic, 6-3, 230, sr.: UW commit is two-time reigning 3A state champion Crusaders’ top returning weapon, catching 48 passes for 1,098 yards.

OL – Foster Sarell, Graham-Kapowsin, 6-6, 310, sr.: Every college wants the nation’s top O-line recruit. But Sarell’s focused on the Dome, especially after forearm injury kept him out eight games.

OL – Henry Bainivalu, Skyline, 6-6, 300, sr.: Spartans lost QB, RB and top WR from last year’s team that reached 4A state title. But Bainivalu is back, and he has offers from schools across the Pac-12.

OL – Quazzel White, Lincoln, 6-3, 290, sr.: Moves well and doesn’t give up on plays. That’s big for the Abes, who are able to pull him to the sidelines to lead block on bubble screens.

OL – Dontae Powell, Richland, 6-6, 285, sr.: Chose to commit to WSU over offers from Colorado and Wyoming. MCC second-team offensive lineman in 2015 hopes to lead Bombers back to state.

OL – Caleb Davis, Bonney Lake, 6-4, 275, sr.: Last year’s 3A SPSL co-lineman of the year plays both ways for Panthers, who returned almost everybody from last year’s 3A state quarterfinal team.

DEFENSE

 

DL – Kelle Sanders, River Ridge, 6-6, 220, sr.: WSU commit will double as the Hawks’ quarterback this season. But defensive end is where he’s most scary, coming off 11-sack season.

DL – Joe Tryon, Hazen, 6-5, 230, sr.: WSU commit and reigning first-team all-Seamount selection had 82 tackles and four sacks last year. Speed helps him cruise around bigger offensive tackles.

DL – Campbell Barrington, University, 6-6, 280, jr.: Parents played at Arizona (dad for baseball, mom for basketball). But Barrington committed to BYU, where his older brother, Clark, will play this fall.

DL – Ben Moos, Pullman, 6-5, 250, sr.: Father is WSU athletic director Bill Moos. Also a standout tight end for the Greyhounds who had six sacks on defense last year. WSU wants him as a rush defensive end.

LB – Cade Otton, Tumwater, 6-5, 225, sr.: UW commit likely heading there next year to play linebacker, but he’s also a standout tight end. Led T-Birds with 138 tackles last year.

LB – Ben Wilson, Sumner, 6-2, 215, jr.: Spartans coach Keith Ross says Wilson is the best athlete he’s coached in 19 years. But Wilson might be an even better baseball player.

LB – Cale Lindsay, Lakes, 6-2, 235, sr.: Was one of the leading tacklers on 3A state semifinal Lancers last year, and had team-high 10 receiving TDs, earning all-state honors.

LB – Caleb Weber, Chiawana, 6-2, 225, sr.: Weber is a three-year starter and the heart of the Riverhawks defense. Was MCC’s second-leading tackler last year (90) and had four sacks.

DB – Salvon Ahmed, Juanita, 5-11, 185, sr.: Plays just about everywhere for the Rebels and has offers from almost every Pac-12 school. Helped Juanita reach state quarterfinals for first time since 1989.

DB – Connor Wedington, Sumner, 5-11, 180, sr.: Reigning 3A SPSL MVP hopes to be the 4A SPSL MVP this season. UW commit had 2,366 all-purpose yards last year, including 1,713 rushing.

DB – Darreon Moore, Kamiakin, 5-11, 165, sr.: Just as valuable on offense at wide receiver as he is at cornerback. Was named MCC first-team defensive back and second-team receiver last season.

DB – Michael Kernan, Prosser, 6-0, 180, sr.: Led 2A state champion Mustangs with 11 interceptions and 16 touchdowns last year. He’s a big reason why Prosser is favorite to reach 2A state title game again.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K – Kainen Warren, North Kitsap, 6-5, 170, sr.: Made the 2A all-state team last year after making 10 field goals, including a 46-yarder in a 2A state playoff win over River Ridge.

P – Ryan Rehkow, Central Valley, sr.: Reigning all-state punter averaged 40.3 yards per punt last year, including 15 times inside the 20. Also scored a 57-yard field goal.

All-purpose – Anfernee Gurley, Archbishop Murphy, 5-11, 175, sr.: What didn’t Gurley do last year? Had 607 rushing yards, 780 receiving yards and 562 kick-return yards.

This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 9:34 PM with the headline "2016 TNT preseason all-state football team."