Winner of The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week (Sept. 2 to 7)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week for high school sports contests played Sept. 3-7. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Birk Johnston, Bellarmine Prep
The Lion’s QB completed 16-of-22 passes for 305 yards, two passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and blocked two extra points in a 41-34 win over Rogers.
The poll is located below. 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 reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) 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.
Xavier Ahrens, Curtis — Vikings WR/S paced Curtis with 148 receiving yards, scoring twice on five catches. Totaled 180 all-purpose yards, plus two sacks on defense.
Bryson Allen, Franklin Pierce — Cardinals RB handled 10 carries for 198 and four total touchdowns in a 68-6 rout of Sammamish.
Jaxsen Beck, Black Hills — QB completed 13-of-16 passes for 335 yards and seven touchdowns in 49-20 win over Clover Park. Also rushed four times for 30 yards.
Kase Betz, Graham Kapowsin — Eagles receiver was a big-play machine Friday night, securing three catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-28 loss at O’Dea.
Jabez Boyd, Life Christian Academy — Dual-threat QB racked up 216 passing yards, 129 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns in 1A-Life Christian’s 64-7 statement win over 3A-Lynnwood.
Brycen Clay, South Kitsap — In 54-14 win over Kentridge, rushed 20 times for 183 yards and four touchdowns.
D’Aryhian Clemons, Spanaway Lake — Senior UW commit did a little bit of everything in 47-42 win over Stanwood, catching three passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns, rushing twice for 29 yards and returning three kicks for 181 total yards, including a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Derek Colman-Brusa, Kennedy Catholic — In 22-6 win over Bothell on Saturday, had five tackles, including three for loss, a sack and seven hurries on defense. Had seven key blocks on offense at tackle.
Peyton Davis, Tumwater — Lead tailback took nine carries for 181 yards and three touchdowns in Tumwater’s 56-6 win over Puyallup, a surprising blowout of a 4A playoff regular.
Mattson Ducharme, Fife — Junior had 250 passing yards and three touchdowns in win over Hockinson on Friday.
Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma — Had five catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns in loss to Yelm on Thursday.
Cam Downing, Olympia — Threw for 200 yards and two passing touchdowns, and also ran for game-winning touchdown with 26 seconds left in Spaghetti Bowl rivalry win over Capital on Friday.
Austin Ferencz, Sumner — The kicker, the hero: Ferencz drilled a game-winning, 36-yard field goal to lift Sumner over Lake Stevens, the defending 4A state champions, in overtime Friday night.
Nathan Ford, Yelm — Tornados RB rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown in Yelm’s 42-34 win over Mount Tahoma, a rematch of last year’s 3A state quarterfinal.
Cole Fowler, Eatonville — In first varsity start, completed 21-of-33 passes for 365 yards and five touchdowns in 34-28 win over Cascade Christian.
Ryland Geldermann, Gig Harbor — Tides RB assumed a workhorse role that lifted Gig Harbor over Peninsula, 14-10, in Saturday’s Fish Bowl rivalry. Took 16 carries for 155 yards and erupted for a game-winning 52-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Kainoa Grounds, Sumner — Caught three passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in Sumner’s overtime win over Lake Stevens on Friday.
Riley Hill, Eatonville — Caught nine passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in 34-28 win over Cascade Christian.
Steele Isaacs, Sumner — Rushed for 108 yards in Sumner’s overtime win over Lake Stevens on Friday.
Birk Johnston, Bellarmine — Completed 16-of-22 passes for 305 yards, two passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns and blocked two extra points in 41-34 win over Rogers.
Indiana Jones, Kennedy Catholic — In 22-6 win over Bothell on Saturday, rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, caught two passes for 69 yards and a touchdown and had four tackles on defense.
Sione Kaho, Lincoln — Standout QB picked apart Timberline via four total touchdowns in Friday night’s 41-0 win at South Sound Stadium. Completed 10-of-19 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, adding 42 rushing yards and three scores (six carries) on the ground.
Sentoa Leapai, Lakes — Linebacker and running back had 13 tackles, a sack and a field goal block and on offense, rushed for 51 yards in win over Auburn Riverside.
Parker Mady, Curtis — All-purpose standout secured four receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns (205 all-purpose yards), adding nine tackles and an interception in a 35-14 win at Mount Si.
La’au Maka, Fife — Trojans RB/LB scored three touchdowns (71 rushing yards) in Fife’s 48-7 win over Hockinson on Friday night.
Porotesano (JP) Mataiao, Steilacoom — Defensive tackle had eight tackles (four solo), including three tackles for loss in 19-7 win over Bremerton.
Zach McKnight, Life Christian Academy — Eagles RB/LB totaled 82 yards and three touchdowns (including a pick-six) in Saturday’s big win over Lynnwood.
Blake Ostrander, Capital — Rushed 18 times for 156 yards and a touchdown in loss to rival Olympia. Also had three catches for eight yards.
Noah Porter, South Kitsap — In 54-14 win over Kentridge, caught five passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.
Thomas Riggins, Decatur — Gators TE snagged both of Decatur’s touchdowns to defeat Enumclaw, 14-7, in a Week 1 win between the 3A NPSL favorites.
Slavik Shemedyuk, Fife — The receiver made the most of two receptions Friday night, who went for 80- and 47-yard touchdowns and 127 total yards in Fife’s big win.
Carsyn Stolz, Silas — Junior QB completed 12-of-20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns in 41-14 win over North Thurston on Thursday. Also rushed 17 times for 121 yards.
Josiah Taijeron, Rogers — Senior RB handled 20 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-34 loss to Bellarmine Prep. Also had eight tackles on defense.
Michael Vassar, Tenino — In 43-7 win over Rainier, rushed 19 times for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes, Auburn — Trojans wideout secured seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown in Auburn’s 44-13 win over Kent-Meridian.
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM.
