Winner of The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week (Sept. 1 to 6)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athlete of the Week for contests played between Sept. 1-6. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Brayden Paulino, Emerald Ridge
The Jaguars’ QB, who transferred from Puyallup in the offseason, impressed in his debut at Emerald Ridge, completing 13-of-21 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Kentwood.
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.
Bryson Allen, Franklin Pierce — Reigning 2A SPSL MVP and Cardinals RB took 33 carries for 285 yards and five touchdowns in a statement win at Lincoln on Friday night, 38-29.
Tristan Baker, Lakes — Lancers WR took two receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, adding two carries for 19 yards in Friday’s shutout win over Auburn Riverside, 47-0.
Kase Betz, Graham-Kapowsin — Eagles WR1 took six receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown in G-K’s 40-38 win over reigning Class 3A champion O’Dea on Friday night.
Rashard Boone, Rogers — Completed 18-of-25 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown and rushed 13 times for 58 yards and a touchdown in 27-14 win over Bellarmine Prep.
Elijah Carney, Lincoln — Abes WR took five receptions for 94 yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s 38-29 loss to Franklin Pierce.
Tayven Collins, Cascade Christian — Cougars standout had three receptions for 48 yards, one carry for a 1-yard touchdown, completed one pass for 13 yards, and added two tackles on defense in Saturday’s 51-14 win over Eatonville.
Cole Chiechi, Enumclaw — Rushed 14 times for 69 yards and had a goal-line interception on defense in win over Decatur.
Felix Diaz, Mount Tahoma — Rushed seven times for 92 yards and a touchdown in 42-0 win over Yelm. Defensively, had five tackles and an interception.
Nate Donovan, Sumner — Spartans’ QB completed 21-of-27 passes for 196 yards and four touchdowns in 31-28 loss to Lake Stevens.
Baylen Erdmann, Auburn — Trojans QB picked apart Kent-Meridian in Friday’s 67-27 win over Kent-Meridian, completing 18-of-26 passes for 429 yards and five touchdowns with six carries for 67 yards and a sixth score on the ground.
Jayce Halasz, Graham-Kapowsin — Eagles wideout caught five passes for 102 yards in Friday night’s 40-38 win over O’Dea.
Cooper Jones, Timberline — Rushed 27 times for 221 yards and a touchdown in 37-33 road win over 4A Woodinville on Friday.
Jaleo Johnson, Steilacoom — Sentinels WR had six catches for 90 yards and two scores in Friday’s 19-0 win over Bremerton.
Gavin Leenhiavue, Kentlake — Completed 16-of-17 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns in 33-6 win over Todd Beamer.
Lance McGee, Sumner — Rushed 23 times for 151 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry in 31-28 loss to Lake Stevens.
Cruz Nolan, Stadium — Tigers DE tallied three sacks, two tackles for loss, one interception, and a defensive touchdown in Saturday’s 57-14 win over Washington.
Brayden Paulino, Emerald Ridge — QB completed 13-of-21 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns in win over Kentwood.
Braylon Pope, Sumner — Caught 10 passes for 118 yards and four touchdowns in 31-28 loss to Lake Stevens.
Nolan Potts, Capital — First-year QB directed the Cougars to victory in the city’s Spaghetti Bowl rivalry over 4A-Olympia, completing 23-of-35 passes for 168 yards and taking 10 carries for 110 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime. Potts added two field goals at kicker, both from 37 yards.
Ethan Rodriguez, Rochester — Rushed 19 times for 191 yards and three touchdowns in 48-28 win over King’s Way Christian. Also caught two passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Devin Saladis, Kentlake — Rushed 15 times for 101 yards in 33-6 win over Todd Beamer on Friday. Defensively, had a 60-yard interception return and tallied five tackles.
Ian Shearer, Gig Harbor — Tides RB took 29 carries for 201 yards and three touchdowns in Gig Harbor’s Fish Bowl rivalry win over Peninsula on Saturday, 35-21.
Darius Sum, Stadium — Tigers RB took 12 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown, adding three receptions for 34 yards in Stadium’s 57-14 win over Washington on Saturday.
Kooper Tasler, Stadium — Tigers QB completed 12-of-20 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns in 57-14 win over Stadium on Saturday.
Gavin Trachte, Enumclaw — QB completed 9-of-18 passes for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns in win over Decatur.
AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin — Sophomore QB completed 17-of-31 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 10 times for 19 yards and three more scores.
Naesirhc White, Mount Tahoma — T-Birds RB handled 13 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown in shutout win over Yelm, 42-0.
Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes, Auburn — Had five receptions for 179 yards and four touchdowns in Auburn’s 67-27 win over Kent-Meridian.
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM.
