TNT’s inaugural high school fantasy football draft: Curtis QB Koch goes No. 1 overall
READ MORE
High school football is back
The News Tribune is visiting schools in the area and previewing local leagues as the first week of games approaches.
Expand All
For many American sports fans, playing fantasy football has become an annual tradition. As much as dropping the kids off for the first day of school, drafting a fantasy team from a pool of the NFL’s biggest stars marks the beginning of fall for many of us.
If you haven’t noticed by now, we’re big into high school sports coverage at the TNT. So we figured, why not draft fantasy football teams with high school players from the South Sound?
This isn’t a list of the best players or the highest-rated recruits. When drafting, TNT high school sports reporters Jon Manley, Lauren Smith and Tyler Wicke were looking for players who are poised to put up big individual numbers in 2023, from Class 4A down to 1A.
We formatted it snake-style, like a typical ESPN fantasy draft. Manley drew the first pick, Wicke second and Smith third. Who has the best roster? Let us know in the comments.
ROUND 1
With the first pick of the TNT’s 2023 high school fantasy football draft, Jon Manley selects: QB Rocco Koch, Curtis, sr.
2022 stats: 85-of-145 passing, 1,460 yards, 21 TDs; 143 carries, 1,076 yards, 9 TDs in 10 games
I’m taking Koch first overall because he’s going to be involved in nearly every Curtis scoring play this season, whether it’s with his feet or his arm. There’s no better dual-threat QB in the area; Koch has 3,526 career passing yards and 34 TDs and 2,846 career rushing yards and 31 TDs. I think he’s due for the best passing season of his career, too.
Wicke: QB Daveon Superales, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
203-of-293 passing, 2,367 yards, 21 TDs; 62 carries, 362 yards, 4 TDs in 13 games
Superales makes a case for the South Sound’s No. 1 pick for two reasons — his versatility brings QB1 upside, and Graham-Kapowsin provides him perhaps the best group of skill players in the state. Superales completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in 2022, totaled nearly 3,000 total yards, and will have a quartet of college-level receiving talent at his disposal.
Smith: RB Brayden Platt, Yelm, sr.
132 carries, 1,242 yards, 24 TDs; 12 catches, 227 yards, TD in 12 games
The state’s top recruit in the 2024 class and a two-way standout for the Tornados throughout his career, Platt scored multiple rushing touchdowns in seven of the 11 games he recorded a carry last fall, while averaging 100-plus yards per game in those contests. Reigning 3A SSC MVP set for another impressive season in the backfield for the defending 3A state champions.
ROUND 2
Smith: RB D’aryhian Clemons, Spanaway Lake, jr.
152 carries, 1,037 yards, 7 TDs in 10 games
Returning 3A PCL first-team running back and Power Five recruit had a breakout sophomore season for Spanaway Lake, averaging 103.7 yards per game and 6.8 per carry while rushing for 100-plus yards in seven of 10 games, and is set to lead the Sentinels in the backfield again in 2023.
Wicke: QB Legend Galeai, Lakes, soph.
61-of-112 passing, 1,321 yards, 16 TDs in nine games
Snagging a pair of quarterbacks early makes sense for a two-QB roster, especially when your QB2 is a dual-threat with immense upside like Galeai. He showed flashes of what could be as a freshman starter in 2022, and the pieces are in place for a sophomore breakout.
Manley: WR Jackson Almond, Cascade Christian, sr.
58 catches, 1,213 yards, 12 TDs in 10 games
I’m dipping into the 1A ranks early with Almond, who caught 58 passes last year for 1,213 yards and 12 TDs. Almond topped the South Sound during the regular season in receiving yards and was No. 2 in receiving touchdowns. Cascade Christian might be even better this year, and Almond will be the focal point in the passing attack.
ROUND 3
Manley: RB Matthew Spurbeck, Sumner, sr.
271 carries, 1,946 yards, 20 TDs in 12 games
The reigning 4A SPSL MVP might be due for more of a shared load at running back this year, but I’ll take my chances. Anytime Sumner fed the ball to Spurbeck in 2022, good things happened. He averaged a ridiculous 7.2 yards per rushing attempt and 162.2 yards per game in 12 contests.
Wicke: WR Luvens Valcin, Auburn, sr.
29 carries, 296 yards, 3 TDs; 56 catches, 758 yards, 5 TDs
The 3A NPSL’s Offensive Back of the Year posted a breakout campaign as a junior in 2022, totaling over 1,000 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. Auburn graduated league-MVP quarterback Amari Goodfellow but returns Valcin as the undoubted top option for a Trojans team looking to repeat a league title.
Smith: WR Jabez Woods, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
70 catches, 946 yards, 10 TDs in 13 games
Woods was a 4A SPSL first-team receiver, TNT All-Area selection and TNT all-state pick last fall after leading Graham-Kapowsin to the 4A state semifinals. Paced the program in receiving yards, all-purpose yards and touchdowns in 2022, and returns as a leader in a talented offense that includes four pass catchers with Division I offers.
ROUND 4
Smith: WR Xavier Ahrens, Curtis, jr.
39 catches, 683 yards, 11 TDs in 10 games
Ahrens was an impact player in every phase for the Vikings in 2022, and led the 4A SPSL in receiving touchdowns while averaging 17.5 yards per catch and piling up 1,362 all-purpose yards. All-league performer on offense and defense last fall will be a key playmaker for Curtis again this season.
Wicke: WR Malachi Durant, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
58 catches, 789 yards, 8 TDs in 10 games
Scouts consider Durant one of the South Sound’s premier receivers, and for good reason — the Oregon State commit hauled in seven touchdowns for Puyallup in 2022 with a pair of 10-reception games. He’s now part of a loaded Graham-Kapowsin receiver room, but Durant should find plenty of open grass lined up alongside Jabez Woods and Khris Norris.
Manley: QB Jake Schakel, Emerald Ridge, sr.
253-of-347 passing, 3,287 yards, 37 TDs; 2 rushing TDs in 13 games
Two things I love about Schakel: He’s accurate and he knows the offense like the back of his hand. The 4A SPSL co-offensive player of the year and 2022 TNT All-Area selection completed 73 percent of his passes a season ago and returns his top two receivers in Tony Harste and Gio Kafentzis. He might throw for 40 TDs this fall.
ROUND 5
Manley: RB Antoine Lee, Kentwood, jr.
231 carries, 1,480 yards, 11 TDs
I think Lee is a steal in the fifth round. He’s the type of player who can single-handedly take a game over and win a fantasy matchup for you. He set a school record with 331 rushing yards in a game against Mount Rainier last season. And he’s only a junior — it feels like his best days are still in front of him.
Wicke: RB Jaycion Cain, Steilacoom, sr.
142 carries, 1,175 yards, 15 TDs; 15 catches, 108 yards, 2 TDs in nine games
The reigning 2A SPSL offensive player of the year averaged over eight yards per carry in 2022 and is again Steilacoom’s workhorse tailback. Volume alone sets Cain up for success, plus PPR value as a pass-catcher.
Smith: WR Tony Harste, Emerald Ridge, sr.
80 catches, 1,166 yards, 13 TDs in 13 games
Idaho commit led one of the state’s top passing offenses in catches, yards and touchdowns in 2022 during the Jaguars’ run to the 4A state semifinals. Returning TNT All-Area selection posted four 100-plus yard games — including tallying a career-best 179 receiving yards in the 4A quarterfinals and 117 in the semifinals — and four multi-touchdown contests.
ROUND 6
Smith: TE Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin, jr.
17 catches, 159 yards, 2 TDs in five games
Flores is considered the state’s top recruit at tight end in the 2025 class, and is set to return to the Eagles’ offense after missing much of the 2022 season due to injury. Should see plenty of targets this fall in Graham-Kapowsin offense set to favor the pass.
Wicke: WR Jonathan Epperson, Auburn Riverside, jr.
30 carries, 156 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 29 yards; 77 tackles, 3 sacks in 10 games
He’s best known as a four-star linebacker with five Division-I offers, but the Ravens will use Epperson on offense as one of its top receiving targets. Pure talent alone will earn Epperson, one of the state’s top all-around players, an abundance of opportunities.
Manley: WR Gio Kafentzis, Emerald Ridge, sr.
12 catches, 970 yards, 11 TDs in 12 games
You really could go either way with Emerald Ridge’s receivers, Tony Harste and Gio Kafentzis. Harste is so good in tight spaces, with route running and in goal-line situations. Kafentzis is maybe a bit more explosive and can go up and get any ball. They’re both going to see plenty of targets from senior QB Jake Schakel.
ROUND 7
Manley: WR Jaydus Green, Steilacoom, sr.
40 catches, 888 yards, 13 TDs in 10 games
Green (knee) will likely be on the shelf at the beginning of the season, but once he returns, he should pick up right where he left off. He led the entire South Sound in receiving touchdowns during the regular season in 2022. He’s fast, can high-point passes from Drew Macdonald and can out-leap any defender in the 2A SPSL.
Wicke: RB Dylan Norman, Eatonville, sr.
182 carries, 1,161 yards, 7 TDs in nine games
A certainty for the Eatonville offense is a healthy dose of Norman, who averaged 20 carries per game in 2022. Expect an identical role, or even an increased one, without graduated QB Job Kralik.
Smith: WR Tristan Baker, Lakes, soph.
8 catches, 232 yards, 2 TDs in eight games
A trio of talented seniors led the Lancers’ offense in 2022, but Baker showed big-play ability, too, averaging 29 yards per catch and scoring a pair of touchdowns as a freshman. Enters his second season as the top receiving target for second-year QB Legend Galeai.
ROUND 8
Smith: Yelm D/ST
150 PA in 14 games
Yelm rolled to an undefeated 3A SSC and 3A state title last fall, and the Tornados’ defense and special teams played a big part. They allowed only 20 touchdowns across 14 games — 11 passing, eight rushing, one kickoff return — and 14 of those were in the second half, when Yelm’s lead was often already out of reach. Tornados bring back plenty of playmakers to this season’s defense, including last season’s league MVP in four-star LB Brayden Platt, lineman of the year Landen Barger and first-team selections in DL Onyx Carter and LB Isaiah Patterson.
Wicke: TE Darrell Gipson, Timberline, sr.
2 catches, 56 yards, TD in 2 games
Gipson was a first-team linebacker in 2022 — also a forward for the Blazers basketball team — but will see an increasing role at TE for Timberline in 2022. His lone two catches last season foreshadow what could be a big senior year — both went for 28-plus yards (1 TD).
Manley: WR Kage Repenn, Tahoma, sr.
42 catches, 656 yards, 11 TDs
First-team 4A NPSL receiver and Idaho commit is the top receiver in the league this year and averaged 15.6 yards per catch last season. He’ll be the top target on a team that has league title ambitions this fall.
ROUND 9
Manley: TE Cole Muilenburg, Peninsula, sr.
One of the many Seahawks who was sidelined with injuries last fall, I think Muilenburg is poised for a breakout year. He’s got the 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame, is athletic and moves well for his size. He figures to be a matchup issue in the red zone, and Peninsula’s balanced offenses always move the ball.
Wicke: WR Karson Holt, Enumclaw, sr.
21 receptions, 393 yards, 9 TDs in 10 games
Perhaps the volume wasn’t there for Holt in 2022, but nine of his 21 receptions went to the house. Now, the 6-foot-4 wideout is the top target for Enumclaw QB Gunnar Trachte. It’s an easy pick.
Smith: QB Devon Forehand, Kennedy Catholic, jr.
153-of-226 passing, 2,529 yards, 28 TDs in 14 games
Third-year starter for the Lancers has already paced the program to back-to-back undefeated 4A NPSL titles, and completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,500-plus yards last fall for a Kennedy Catholic team that reached the 4A state championship game. Set to lead the Lancers’ Air Raid and Wing-T this fall.
ROUND 10
Smith: QB Sione Kaho, Lincoln, fr.
Lincoln quarterbacks have averaged 240-plus passing yards and multiple touchdowns per game each of the past five years, and Kaho is set to run the Abes’ Air Raid offense in his first season.
Wicke: Tumwater D/ST
135 PA in 11 games
The T-Birds surrendered only 135 total points in 11 contests in 2022 (12.3 PPG), and this year’s group returns eight starters. Tumwater perennially dominates the 2A Evergreen – it allowed seven or fewer points to all but one league rival (W.F. West) – and is set again for success behind a linebacking core led by MLB Dane Iversen.
Manley: Enumclaw D/ST
193 PA in 13 games
The Hornets conceded just 14.8 points per game last season. They graduated a few players off last year’s team, but I don’t see much of a dropoff coming. There’s a good football culture and passionate support at Enumclaw, which equates to good program depth.
MANLEY’S ROSTER
QB: Rocco Koch, Curtis, sr.
QB: Jake Schakel, Emerald Ridge, sr.
RB: Matthew Spurbeck, Sumner, sr.
RB: Antoine Lee, Kentwood, jr.
WR: Jackson Almond, Cascade Christian, sr.
WR: Gio Kafentzis, Emerald Ridge, sr.
TE: Cole Muilenburg, Peninsula, sr.
FLEX: Jaydus Green, Steilacoom, sr.
FLEX: Kage Repenn, Tahoma, sr.
D/ST: Enumclaw
WICKE’S ROSTER
QB: Daveon Superales, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
QB: Legend Galeai, Lakes, soph.
RB: Jaycion Cain, Steilacoom, sr.
RB: Dylan Norman, Eatonville, sr.
WR: Luvens Valcin, Auburn, sr.
WR: Malachi Durant, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
TE: Darrell Gipson, Timberline, sr.
FLEX: Jonathan Epperson, Auburn Riverside, jr.
FLEX: Karson Holt, Enumclaw, sr.
D/ST: Tumwater
SMITH’S ROSTER
QB: Devon Forehand, Kennedy Catholic, jr.
QB: Sione Kaho, Lincoln, fr.
RB: Brayden Platt, Yelm, sr.
RB: D’aryhian Clemons, Spanaway Lake, sr.
WR: Jabez Woods, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
WR: Xavier Ahrens, Curtis, jr.
TE: Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin, jr.
FLEX: Tony Harste, Emerald Ridge, sr.
FLEX: Tristan Baker, Lakes, soph.
D/ST: Yelm
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
