High school football: The News Tribune’s 2023 all-state team
THE NEWS TRIBUNE’S 2023 ALL-STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jason Brown Jr., O’Dea, sr. — 3A Metro League Mountain offensive MVP led O’Dea to an undefeated league title and the 3A state semifinals this fall, rushing for 1,897 yards and 34 TDs on 159 carries. Arizona State signee rushed for 6,281 yards in his four-year career — which ranks third in state history — and 89 TDs. Two-time TNT all-state pick.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Travis Anderson, Anacortes — 2A NWC coach of the year led Anacortes to a perfect 13-0 record, an undefeated league title and the first state championship in program history with a convincing 60-30 win over Tumwater in the 2A final.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Kolton Matson, Lake Stevens, jr. — The state’s top-ranked quarterback in the 2025 class has started three consecutive 4A state title games for two-time defending champion Lake Stevens, and tossed four touchdown passes in this season’s final to lead the Vikings to another trophy. 4A Wesco first-team selection completed 224-of-338 passes for 3,388 yards and 49 TDs this fall, and added five rushing scores.
Jake Schakel, Emerald Ridge, sr. — Four-year starter for the Jaguars completed 253-of-347 passes for 3,287 yards and 37 TDs this season, and rushed for three more scores, leading Emerald Ridge to the 4A state first round. 4A SPSL offensive player of the year. Eastern Washington signee.
MULTI-PURPOSE
Rocco Koch, Curtis, sr. — Four-year starter for the Vikings piled up 4,080 yards of offense and 56 total TDs this fall, leading Curtis in both passing (148-of-211 passing, 2,354 yards, 32 TDs) and rushing (1,706 yards, 24 TDs). 4A SPSL co-MVP paced the league in total offense, and led Curtis to the 4A state first round.
Daveon Superales, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — Paced the Eagles through the air (311-of-416 passing, 3,779 yards, 44 TDs) and on the ground (123 carries, 781 yards, eight TDs) this fall. 4A SPSL co-MVP and second-year starter led Graham-Kapowsin to an undefeated 4A SPSL title and 4A state championship game appearance.
RUNNING BACK
Indiana Jones, Kennedy Catholic, jr. — 4A NPSL MVP led the Lancers in rushing with 181 carries for 1,138 yards and 22 TDs, and had 33 catches for 451 yards and six more scores in pacing Kennedy Catholic to an undefeated league title and 4A state quarterfinals appearance. Added 62 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions — including one returned for a touchdown — four caused fumbles and two recoveries on defense. Collected 1,662 all-purpose yards.
Zaveon Jones, Mountlake Terrace, sr. — 3A Wesco South first-team running back rushed for 1,690 yards and 19 TDs and caught nine passes for 153 yards and another score for a Mountlake Terrace team that reached the 3A district round. Also recorded 57 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four caused fumbles on the way to first-team all-league honors on the defensive line.
Gunnar Peterson, Eastmont, sr. — Big 9 offensive co-MVP was a workhorse for Eastmont, rushing 210 times for 1,756 yards and 15 TDs, averaging 175.6 yards per game and over eight yards per carry.
WIDE RECEIVER
Malachi Durant, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — Led Graham-Kapowsin in receiving TDs with 18, and had 75 catches for 1,129 yards for the undefeated 4A state champion Eagles, who reached the 4A state title game. Collected 1,315 all-purpose yards, and had a kickoff return TD.
Tony Harste, Emerald Ridge, sr. — 4A SPSL first-team pick led Emerald Ridge in receiving, tallying 1,393 yards and 17 TDs on 67 catches for a Jaguars program that reached the 4A state first round. Idaho signee.
Logan Sloman, North Kitsap, sr. — Two-time Olympic League MVP led the Vikings to the 2A state semifinals, hauling in 61 catches for 1,012 yards and 18 TDs and adding 14 carries for 165 yards and two more scores on offense, and had 65 tackles and six interceptions on defense.
Jabez Woods, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — 4A SPSL first-team selection hauled in 105 catches for 1,299 yards and 10 TDs and added a rushing score for an Eagles program that won an undefeated league title and reached the 4A state championship game. Montana State signee collected 1,632 all-purpose yards. Two-time TNT all-state pick.
ALL-PURPOSE
Brock Beaner, Anacortes, jr. — 2A NWC first-team selection at running back and linebacker paced the Seahawks to a 2A state championship win, piling up 138 carries for 1,210 yards and 20 TDs and another 327 receiving yards on offense, while adding 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks on defense and had a blocked punt return TD in the title game.
Bode Gardner, Mount Spokane, sr. — 4A/3A GSL all-purpose player of the year led Mount Spokane to the 3A state first round with 61 catches, 1,147 yards and 14 TDs, added another rushing TD on offense, and had four interceptions and three TDs on defense and a punt return TD.
TIGHT END
Hogan Hansen, Bellevue, sr. — 3A KingCo first-team selection at tight end and on the defensive line was also the league’s defensive MVP. Hauled in 10 catches for 215 yards and four TDs, and added another eight carries for 111 yards and two scores while also blocking for a Wolverines offense that averaged 403.5 total yards per game and scored 54 rushing TDs and 15 passing. Added 39.5 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries on defense for a Bellevue program that won an undefeated 3A KingCo title and the 3A state championship. Michigan signee.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Isendre Ahfua, O’Dea, sr. — 3A Metro League Mountain co-offensive lineman of the year was also a first-team selection at tackle, and blocked for an O’Dea program that averaged 40-plus points per game, won an undefeated league title and advanced to the 3A state semifinals. Texas A&M signee.
Nathan Knapik, Kennewick, sr. — 4A/3A MCC offensive lineman of the year led the way for the No. 1 rushing offense in the league, which averaged 200.5 yards per game on the ground and was No. 2 in league in total yards with 374.6. Idaho signee.
Carson Osmus, Camas, sr. — 6-foot-6, 285-pounder was one of the top linemen in southwest Washington this fall. Helped the Papermakers to a 10-2 record and a 4A state tournament appearance. WSU signee.
Marquise Thorpe-Taylor, Mount Tahoma, sr. — 3A PCL offensive lineman of the year was key on offense and defense for a T-Birds program that won an undefeated league title and reached the 3A state quarterfinals in their first appearance in the state playoffs since 1984. Blocked for a Mount Tahoma offense that averaged 351.9 total yards per game and scored 48 TDs, and added 27 tackles and seven tackles for loss on defense. UCLA signee.
Willi Wascher, Bellevue, jr. — Recruiting is starting to pick up for Wascher, who led the Wolverines at center to the 3A state championship this fall. The 3A KingCo lineman of the year blocked for an offense that racked up 4,339 yards and 54 TDs on the ground and 907 yards passing and 15 more scores. Holds offers from Miami and Nevada.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Paki Crawford, O’Dea, jr. — 3A Metro League Mountain co-defensive lineman of the year was also a first-team selection at defensive end for an O’Dea program that won an undefeated league title and advanced to the 3A state semifinals. Holds an offer from Montana State.
Demetri Manning, Bellevue, jr. — Nicknamed “big meat,” the first-team 3A KingCo offensive and defensive line selection was standout tackle and nose/tackle for 3A state champion Wolverines. Blocked for a team that rushed for 4,339 yards and 54 rushing TDs and 907 passing yards and 15 TDs. Defensively, had 18.5 tackles and four tackles for loss. Holds offers from UW, Oregon, Florida State and others.
Dylan Sikorski, Sumner, sr. — Four-year starter for the Spartans was the 4A SPSL offensive lineman of the year this fall, and a standout on both offense and defense for a Sumner program that reached the 4A state first round. Blocked for a Spartans offense that averaged 411 total yards per game and scored 55 TDs. Oregon State signee.
AJ Tanupo, Eastside Catholic, sr. — 3A Metro League Mountain co-defensive lineman of the year was as nasty as ever for the Crusaders, who advanced to the 3A state tournament semifinals. Racked up 56 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. Two-time TNT all-state pick. Montana State signee.
Jayden Wells, Mount Si, sr. — 4A KingCo lineman of the year was also a first-team selection at offensive guard and on the defensive line for a Mount Si program that reached the 4A state quarterfinals. Southern Utah commit.
LINEBACKER
Lance Allred, Royal, jr. — Quarterback and linebacker led the Knights to a fourth consecutive 1A state championship win this fall. Completed 163-of-241 passes for 2,958 yards and 35 TDs, while adding 132 carries for 636 yards and 20 TDs on offense, and had 86 tackles, six tackles for loss, five interceptions and two caused fumbles on defense.
David Lene, Eastside Catholic, sr. — 3A Metro League Mountain first-team selection at inside linebacker recorded 63 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and five interceptions for an Eastside Catholic program that reached the 3A state semifinals.
Isaiah Patterson, Yelm, sr. — 3A SSC first-team linebacker recorded 113 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and three sacks for a Tornados program that won an undefeated league title and made a second consecutive trip to the 3A state championship game. UCLA signee.
Brayden Platt, Yelm, sr. — 3A SSC MVP piled up 122 carries for 1,328 yards and 23 TDs at running back and added 99 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and an interception at linebacker for a Yelm program that won an undefeated league title and made a second consecutive appearance in the 3A state title game. Oregon signee.
Mason Turner, Lake Stevens, sr. — 4A Wesco first-team selection on the offensive line and at linebacker piled up 117 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, six sacks, a safety and interception returned for a TD for the undefeated league champion Vikings, who also won back-to-back 4A state titles this fall.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Brady Beaner, Anacortes, jr. — 2A NWC first-team wide receiver and defensive back had 543 rushing yards, 723 receiving yards and 14 total TDs on offense, and added 83 tackles and nine pass break-ups on defense for a Seahawks team that won undefeated league and 2A state titles.
David Brown, Lake Stevens, sr. — 4A Wesco first-team wide receiver and defensive back hauled in 50 catches for 817 yards and 18 TDs on offense, and added 63 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven interceptions — including two returned for touchdowns — and a fumble recovery on defense for a Vikings program that won an undefeated 4A Wesco title and second consecutive 4A state championship.
Ryken Moon, Bellevue, jr. — Tallied four interceptions for the Wolverines, who won the 3A state championship. Also had 47.5 tackles and five tackles for loss. Offensively, rushed 51 times for 488 yards and four TDs and caught six passes for 159 yards and a pair of scores. Holds offers from Arizona and Nevada.
Kyan McDonald, O’Dea, sr. — 3A Metro League Mountain defensive MVP was also a first-team outside wide receiver and first-team corner for an O’Dea program that won an undefeated league title and advanced to the 3A state semifinals. Holds Division I offers from 10 programs.
Grady Woodward, Eastlake, sr. — Was an impact player on both sides of the ball for the Wolves, who advanced to the 4A state tournament semifinals. Racked up 812 receiving yards and seven TDs on 52 catches as a 4A KingCo first-team receiver, and had another 75 carries for 622 yards and seven TDs. Rangy, hard-hitting safety on defense added six interceptions. UW baseball commit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K/P Luke Faccone, Puyallup, sr. — 4A SPSL first-team kicker was 29-of-29 on PAT attempts, 7-of-9 on field goal attempts with a long of 50 yards and averaged 39.8 yards per punt for a Vikings program that reached the 4A district round. Air Force commit.
K Aidan Raney, Arlington, sr. — 3A Wesco North first-team kicker was 60-of-60 on PAT attempts and 9-of-12 on field goal attempts, connecting from a long of 46 yards twice for an Eagles team that won an undefeated league title and advanced to the 3A state quarterfinals.
This story was originally published December 21, 2023 at 8:07 PM.
