These 25 South Sound players could key deep state tournament runs for their teams
The WIAA state high school football tournaments begin this week in Washington. Several South Sound programs are vying for coveted state titles in their respective classifications. If they’re going to make deep tournament runs, these 25 players will likely be difference makers.
Xavier Ahrens, Curtis — One of the area’s top all-purpose players, Ahrens hauled in 48 receptions for 753 yards and nine TDs this season, had a punt return TD, four interceptions on defense, 60 tackles, including seven tackles for loss.
Jackson Almond, Cascade Christian — Cougars’ standout receiver made a move to quarterback midway through the season, and has 716 passing yards and nine TDs since. Has also piled up 486 receiving yards and five TDs, 267 rushing yards and another score, and nine interceptions and a pick-six on defense through nine games.
Brison Bailey, Mount Tahoma — The 3A PCL’s best running back this season had big-play ability, could grind out yards and shed tackles for T-Birds. Racked up 1,081 rushing yards and 15 TDs on 140 carries. Averaged 143.9 all-purpose yards per game.
Kooper Clark, Tumwater — Tumwater’s Wing-T continues to roll with several talented running backs, and Clark leads the way with 744 rushing yards and 13 TDs. Also has a pair of receiving TDs for the undefeated T-Birds.
Navarre Dixon, Emerald Ridge — Wondering how powerful Dixon is? Watch him truck a Bothell defender on his way into the end zone on a 41-yard TD run in Emerald Ridge’s Week 10 playoff game. Has racked up 1,032 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 154 carries, has six 100-plus yard rushing games and has scored at least one TD in eight of the nine games he’s played.
Malachi Durant, Graham-Kapowsin — Easy to see why Durant is coveted by Power Five programs, as athleticism and sure hands showed up all season. Hauled in 50 receptions for 692 yards and 15 TDs, and had a kickoff return TD. Oregon State commit.
Tony Harste, Emerald Ridge — When QB Jake Schakel needs a downfield completion, he’s often looking Harste’s way. The elite route runner has racked up 1,150 yards and 16 TDs on 55 receptions this season, has six 100-plus yard receiving games and six multi-touchdown games. Idaho commit.
Indiana Jones, Kennedy Catholic — A versatile threat, Jones has 996 rushing yards and 18 TDs on 151 carries and has added 407 receiving yards and six TDs on 28 receptions. He also has a pick-six and is averaging 147.6 all-purpose yards per game.
Ethan Kastner, Tumwater — Runs the T-Birds’ high-scoring offense, and has completed 73.8 percent of passes for 1,149 yards and 21 TDs so far this season.
Anthony Kiamco, Yelm — Has been a standout for Yelm in all three phases through 10 games, piling up six rushing TDs, a receiving TD, two interception return TDs and four special teams TDs.
Rocco Koch, Curtis — The 4A SPSL co-MVP put together one of the most statistically dominant seasons the South Sound has ever seen, passing for 2,100 yards and 28 TDs and rushing for 1,470 yards and 23 TDs. A nightmare to tackle.
Parker Mady, Curtis — Turned into a No. 1 receiver this year with the swagger to match, hauling in 50 catches for 932 yards and 13 TDs. Also returned two punts for TDs, had three interceptions on defense and tallied 58 tackles.
Carson McCall, Orting — Leads Orting in both rushing (623 yards, eight TDs) and receiving (353 yards, two TDs), and has a passing TD for a Cardinals team entering the state bracket on a six-game winning streak.
Wyatt Neu, Enumclaw — Impact player in all three phases for the undefeated Hornets has 375 rushing yards, 124 receiving yards and 13 total TDs in nine games played — including six rushing TDs, four receiving, a pick-six, kickoff return TD and punt return TD.
Brayden Platt, Yelm — Oregon commit is a standout for the undefeated defending state champions at both running back and linebacker, and has 855 rushing yards and 13 TDs in nine games played, as well as 66 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and an interception on defense.
Braylon Pope, Sumner — In a league stacked with receiver talent, this promising freshman cracked the top 10 in receiving yards in the 4A SPSL. Has 603 receiving yards and 11 TDs this season.
Jake Schakel, Emerald Ridge — The general of Emerald Ridge’s high-powered passing game, Schakel (2,649 yards, 37 TDs) is one of the state’s top-flight quarterbacks. Eastern Washington commit.
Dylan Sikorski, Sumner — The league’s most dominant lineman, Sikorski paved the way for the 4A SPSL’s No. 1 rushing offense. The Spartans averaged a league-leading 228 rushing yards per game. Oregon State commit.
Matthew Spurbeck, Sumner — If Sumner makes a deep state tournament run, the return of the reigning 4A SPSL MVP will have a lot to do with it. After suffering a midseason knee injury, Spurbeck made his return in last week’s playoff win over Battle Ground and picked up right where he left off, rushing for 108 yards and a TD on 13 carries.
Daveon Superales, Graham-Kapowsin — The 4A SPSL co-MVP led the Eagles to the 4A SPSL title, running undefeated through the league’s gauntlet. Passed for 2,510 yards and 35 TDs and added 502 rushing yards and six TDs on 74 carries.
Jemani Teplasy, Lincoln — Paces the Abes, who enter the state playoffs on a six-game winning streak, with 755 receiving yards and nine TDs, and also has two rushing TDs, an interception return TD and kickoff return TD this fall. Averages 125.9 all-purpose yards per game.
Marquise Thorpe-Taylor, Mount Tahoma — UCLA commit blocks for a T-Birds offense that averages 352.9 total yards per game — including 243.6 rushing — and has scored 43 total TDs.
Gunnar Trachte, Enumclaw — Hornets quarterback (1,360 passing yards, 21 TDs; three rushing TDs) runs Enumclaw’s high-scoring offense, and has the program undefeated entering the state playoffs.
Thyrou Umi-Tuato’o, Auburn Riverside — His hard running is a major reason Ravens are in 3A state tournament. Racked up 939 rushing yards and 17 TDs on 125 carries and added 109 yards and a receiving TD on 13 receptions. Averaged 106.1 all-purpose yards.
Jabez Woods, Graham-Kapowsin — 2022 TNT All-Area and all-state selection put together another impressive season, racking up 852 receiving yards and eight TDs on 71 receptions in eight games played. Tallied 136.4 all-purpose yards per game.
