TNT’s second annual high school fantasy football draft: Surprise pick at No. 1 overall
Last year, we had the idea to combine two of our passions: South Sound high school football coverage and fantasy football.
The TNT’s inaugural high school fantasy football draft was born. This year, we’re bringing it back.
This isn’t a list of the best players or the highest-rated recruits. When drafting, TNT high school sports reporters Jon Manley and Tyler Wicke were looking for players who are poised to put up big individual numbers in 2024, from Class 4A down to 1A.
We formatted it snake-style, like a typical ESPN fantasy draft. Manley drew the first pick after a coin flip, Wicke second. Who has the best roster? Let us know in the comments.
ROUND 1
With the first pick of the TNT’s 2024 high school fantasy football draft, Jon Manley selects: QB Jabez Boyd, Life Christian, jr.
Surprised? Don’t be. Boyd might not be a household name around here yet, but he will be soon enough, even if he’s tucked out of sight in Class 1A. He threw for 2,032 yards and 22 TDs last year and can make plays with his legs, too. Assuming Boyd stays healthy, I foresee 3,000+ passing yards and 30+ TDs in his junior campaign.
Wicke: QB Sione Kaho, Lincoln, soph.
A career year could be in store for the sophomore signal-caller, already in possession of multiple Division-I offers. Kaho’s frame, arm, and blossoming speed make him one of the top quarterbacks in the state, let alone the South Sound. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t make a case as the area’s top fantasy performer in 2024.
ROUND 2
Wicke: RB Nehemiah Washington, Decatur, sr.
Washington ranked third in rushing touchdowns last season (17), trailing only Oregon commit Brayden Platt and TNT All-Area QB Rocco Koch. Why can’t the Decatur bell-cow claim the top spot for himself in 2024? Slated for another busy campaign, he’s the perfect example of an elite RB1 taken early in fantasy drafts.
Manley: RB Indiana Jones, Kennedy Catholic, sr.
The Swiss Army knife of Kennedy Catholic’s offense, Jones is going to have the ball in his hands frequently again this season. He rushed for 857 yards and 16 TDs last season and added 33 catches for 451 yards and six TDs. That versatility makes him an easy pick in our PPR format.
ROUND 3
Manley: WR Parker Mady, Curtis, sr.
I watched Mady play shortstop during a Curtis baseball game in the spring. I walked away thinking he was maybe the best player on the field, and I’m not even sure how much time he dedicates to baseball. Some people are just natural athletes, and I’m banking on another big season loading for Mady (who is criminally under-recruited, by the way).
Wicke: QB Devon Forehand, Kennedy Catholic, sr.
Few things are as certain as Forehand delivering big fantasy numbers for the head-and-shoulders favorite in the 4A NPSL. Kennedy Catholic’s QB1 tossed 26 touchdown passes (1,965 passing yards) in 2023, and with returning standout RB Indiana Jones behind him, the Lancers could be in for more crooked numbers.
ROUND 4
Wicke: RB Antoine Lee, Kentwood, sr.
Of the South Sound’s returning tailbacks, only Capital’s Blake Ostrander (181 carries) handled a larger workload in 2023 than Lee (176), again the focal point of the Conquerors offense. A Division-I recruit who simply refuses to go down, Lee notched 1,127 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season; I expect a spike in both numbers.
Manley: WR Tate Bowen, White River, sr.
White River hasn’t been a contender of late, but Bowen quietly put together an impressive season last fall. He was second among South Sound receivers in yards (977) during the regular season and tied for second in TDs (13). A repeat performance seems likely.
ROUND 5
Manley: WR Khris Norris, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
With the departures of Malachi Durant (Oregon State) and Jabez Woods (Montana State), Norris is going to see a boatload more targets this year. He’s an experienced, savvy receiver and due for his best high school season.
Wicke: RB Steele Isaacs, Sumner, sr.
Even if the Spartans want to throw the ball more this season, the physical ground-and-pound philosophy still exists in Sumner – perfect for this every-down rusher with 1,074 rushing yards as a junior. Don’t be surprised if another double-digit touchdown campaign is in store.
ROUND 6
Wicke: WR Xavier Ahrens, Curtis, sr.
Jon selected the speedy, slot-receiving Mady, so I’ll go with his 6-foot-3 teammate on the perimeter. Ahrens likely ends up in college as a safety, but his size and receiving ability – 40-679-9 in 2023 – is too good to pass on.
Manley: WR Braylon Pope, Sumner, soph.
Pope turned heads as a freshman and was among the best in the South Sound in receiving TDs (nine) during the regular season last year. I’d expect he’ll surpass that total this fall, with a big uptick in receiving yards to accompany the red zone production. Watch out.
ROUND 7
Manley: RB Kyson Douglas, Puyallup, sr.
Douglas turned into a workhorse back for the Vikings last year and has experience at receiver, which means good hands and versatility. Even in a crowded Puyallup offense, a running back also getting receiving touches should see plenty of action.
Wicke: WR Josiah Morley, Steilacoom, sr.
A high-octane Steilacoom offense led by QB Drew MacDonald gets back its top target in Morley, who ranked seventh among South Sound receivers in receiving yards (769) with eight touchdowns in 2023. I’m expecting plenty of shootouts for the Sentinels – of which Morley is a primary beneficiary.
ROUND 8
Wicke: WR DJ Darling, Gig Harbor, jr.
Darling attended an offseason football camp at the University of Idaho this summer and left with a Division-I offer from the Vandals. I’m boarding the hype train. A three-sport athlete, Darling’s 6-1, 180-pound frame (6-5 wingspan) and perimeter presence as QB Koi Calhoun’s top target makes him an easy breakout pick, even for a Gig Harbor team that loves to establish the run.
Manley: TE Carter Cocke, Sumner, sr.
I can’t quantify this with a statistic, but every time I watched a Sumner game last year, I felt like Cocke never dropped a pass. When Sumner needed a first down, the Spartans were often looking his way and he delivered. With a more pass-heavy offense this year, he’s going to see plenty of targets again, particularly in the red zone.
ROUND 9
Manley: QB Brayden Paulino, Puyallup, soph.
With a year of starting experience under his belt, I’m expecting a jump from Paulino this season. He’s surrounded by a cast of skill position talent that’s probably among the best groups in the state. I think this offense will be explosive, and I think Paulino benefits and puts a really strong year together.
Wicke: TE Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
The UCLA commit should gobble targets in an offense that graduated top receivers Malachi Durant (Oregon State) and Jabez Woods (Montana State). Flores is the perfect, established outlet for 14-year-old freshman QB A.J. Tuivaiave. What’s not to love?
ROUND 10
Wicke: Tumwater defense
In six games (six wins) over 2A EvCo rivals last season, the T-Birds allowed 33 total points. The season before? 59 points. Tumwater’s presence as a year-in, year-out defensive power makes it perhaps the safest pick on the entire board.
Manley: Enumclaw defense
Three reasons I’m going with the Hornets: A) Enumclaw coach Mark Gunderson has things rolling and has this program believin, B) The Hornets return all 11 starters on defense, and C) The 3A NPSL has a few good programs at the top but falls off after that. Enumclaw should feast again.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Manley: The champ is back, ladies and gentlemen. I struck gold taking Curtis QB Rocco Koch last year, who carried me to the title against Tyler and former TNT reporter Lauren Smith. I’m hoping for similar fortune this year with Boyd No. 1 overall. I like the versatility and catching ability from my starting running backs. Health is never a guarantee, but if my roster stays relatively healthy, I think it’s a high-floor group. I could’ve made a case for drafting Graham-Kapowsin quarterback AJ Tuivaiave, too, but I’m always a bit reluctant to draft freshmen. I’m sure he’ll be a good midseason waiver wire pickup if we decide to add QBs down the road. I like Tyler’s team, too. I think he probably has the more workhorse-type running backs, and they should put up a ton of yards on the ground. It’ll be fun to watch the scoring shake out over the course of the season.
Wicke: It’s up to Team Wicke to dethrone Jon as the reigning champ, and I think this squad has the talent to do it. I wasn’t leaving the first round without Lincoln’s Sione Kaho, and snagging a pair of bell-cow running backs in Nehemiah Washington (Decatur) and Antoine Lee (Kentwood) was icing on the cake. I’m intrigued to see how the high-floor workhorses compare to Jon’s all-around playmakers, which could thrive in our PPR format. And I’m excited for the potential upside in big-play threats Xavier Ahrens (Curtis) and DJ Darling (Gig Harbor). The combination of quarterback pedigree, rushing floor, and perimeter receiving upside has a fantastic chance to give Team Manley a run for its money. Jon, enjoy the crown while it’s yours!
TEAM MANLEY
QB: Jabez Boyd, Life Christian, jr.
QB: Brayden Paulino, Puyallup, soph.
RB: Indiana Jones, Kennedy Catholic, sr.
RB: Kyson Douglas, Puyallup, sr.
WR: Parker Mady, Curtis, sr.
WR: Tate Bowen, White River, sr.
TE: Carter Cocke, Sumner, sr.
FLEX (RB/WR/TE): Khris Norris, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
FLEX (RB/WR/TE): Braylon Pope, Sumner, soph.
DEFENSE: Enumclaw
TEAM WICKE
QB: Sione Kaho, Lincoln, soph.
QB: Devon Forehand, Kennedy Catholic, sr.
RB: Nehemiah Washington, Decatur, sr.
RB: Antoine Lee, Kentwood, sr.
WR: Xavier Ahrens, Curtis, sr.
WR: Josiah Morley, Steilacoom, sr.
TE: Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
FLEX (RB/WR/TE): Steele Isaacs, Sumner, sr.
FLEX (RB/WR/TE): DJ Darling, Gig Harbor, jr.
DEFENSE: Tumwater
