Winner of The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week (Aug. 28 to Sept. 2)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week (Aug. 28 to Sept. 2) in high school football. Thank you to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Nehemiah Mccullough, Clover Park
Mccullough collected 123 all-purpose yards, recorded a rushing TD and interception return TD, and added five tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack in a Week 1 win over Foss.
The poll is located at the bottom of the story. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted.
Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporters Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Lauren Smith (lsmith@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter (@manley_tnt or @smithlm12) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Zakai Abdullah, Clover Park — Recorded a receiving TD and interception return TD, and added five tackles in a win over Foss.
Xavier Ahrens, Curtis — Caught three passes — all TDs — for 92 yards and added a pair of interceptions on defense in a win over Puyallup.
Jackson Almond, Cascade Christian — Hauled in seven catches for 103 yards and two TDs, and added seven tackles and one tackle for loss in a win over Cedar Park Christian.
Elijah Baird, Auburn Mountainview — Lions QB completed 14-of-20 passes for 193 yards and three TDs and added a pair of rushing TDs in a win over Kentridge.
Jaycion Cain, Steilacoom — Piled up 247 total yards — including 155 rushing on 31 carries — and added a passing TD in a win over Washington.
Logan Cole, Tumwater — Rushed for 67 yards and two touchdowns in win over Burlington-Edison.
Brison Bailey, Mount Tahoma — Rushed for 110 yards and a TD on 20 carries in a loss to North Kitsap.
Drew Carlson, Olympia — Completed 6-of-12 passes for 85 yards and a TD, and added 13 carries for 94 yards and a TD in a loss to Curtis.
D’Aryhian Clemons, Spanaway Lake — Rushed for 77 yards and two TDs on 15 carries, and added two catches for 32 yards and a 25-yard interception return TD in a win over Gig Harbor.
Navarre Dixon, Emerald Ridge — Rushed for 160 yards and two TDs on 22 carries in a win over Puyallup.
Malachi Durant, Graham-Kapowsin — Hauled in three catches for 92 yards and two TDs, and added a 90-yard kickoff return TD in a win over Rogers.
Jonathan Epperson, Auburn Riverside — Rushed for 101 yards and a TD on 11 carries and added six tackles in a loss to Lincoln.
Vince Foster, Steilacoom — Hauled in six catches for 141 yards and three TDs and added four tackles in a win over Washington. Also had a pick six on defense.
Legend Galeai, Lakes — Lancers QB completed 10-of-20 passes for 245 yards and three TDs, and added a rushing TD in a win over Kentwood.
Donovan Gill, Stadium — Completed 7-of-12 passes for 175 yards and a TD, and added a rushing TD and 55-yard interception return TD in a win over Cedarcrest.
Ronaldo Gonzalez-Salazar, Timberline — Rushed for 126 yards and two TDs on 18 carries in a win over Kelso.
Gio Kafentzis, Emerald Ridge — Hauled in four catches for 70 yards and a TD and added an interception in a win over Puyallup.
Anthony Kiamco, Yelm — Blocked a last-second Camas field goal to seal Yelm’s 8-7 road win at Doc Harris Stadium. Also led the Tornados in rushing with 68 yards on 17 carries.
Rocco Koch, Curtis — Completed 11-of-12 passes for 207 yards and five TDs, and added 128 yards and another TD on 15 carries.
Unterrio Latin-Henley, Washington — Rushed for 50 yards and a TD on nine carries, caught two passes for 80 yards and a TD and added 11 tackles in a loss to Steilacoom.
Marcus Lloyd, Bonney Lake — Rushed for 94 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries in win over Tahoma.
Roy Lockley, Bethel — Rushed for 146 yards and two TDs on 26 carries in a win over South Kitsap.
Parker Mady, Curtis — Hauled in five catches for 100 yards and a pair of TDs in a win over Olympia.
Carson McCall, Orting — Rushed for 44 yards and a TD on nine carries, and added four catches for 42 yards in a win over Fife.
Elijiah Mcchristian, Lakes — Hauled in four catches for 138 yards and a TD, and added six tackles and two tackles for loss in a win over Kentwood.
Nehemiah Mccullough, Clover Park — Collected 123 all-purpose yards, recorded a rushing TD and interception return TD, and added five tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack in a win over Foss.
Nicholas Neil, Puyallup — Caught three passes for 113 yards and a TD in a loss to Emerald Ridge.
Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Bethel — Recorded 15 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks, and added a TD catch in a win over South Kitsap.
Tristen Rebar, Sumner — Spartans QB completed 12-of-15 passes for 258 yards and two TDs in a win over Bellarmine Prep.
Kaden Rolfsness, Puyallup — Completed 9-of-14 passes for 150 yards and a TD and added 13 carries for 127 yards and a TD in a loss to Emerald Ridge.
Jake Schakel, Emerald Ridge — Completed 14-of-21 passes for 211 yards and three TDs in a win over Puyallup.
Kelly Sio-Fetaui, Lincoln — Rushed for what turned out to be the game-winning TD in a victory over Auburn Riverside, and started for a Lincoln defense that held the Ravens to 153 total yards.
Matthew Spurbeck, Sumner — Rushed for 77 yards and three TDs on 14 carries in a win over Bellarmine Prep.
Daveon Superales, Graham-Kapowsin — Eagles QB completed 18-of-23 passes for 289 yards and six TDs in a win over Rogers.
Jack Tangen, Cascade Christian — Rushed for 111 yards and two TDs on 18 carries, and added a 39-yard catch in a win over Cedar Park Christian.
Shamus Twohey, Enumclaw — Rushed for 78 yards and two TDs on eight carries in a win over Peninsula.
This story was originally published September 5, 2023 at 12:18 PM.
