Winner of The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week (Sept. 8 to 13)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week for contests played between Sept. 8-13. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Kam Balles, Auburn Mountainview football
Balles scored in all three phases of the game in a 61-7 win over Kentlake and racked up four total touchdowns. The Lions senior had 132 punt return yards and a TD, 24 yards receiving and a TD, a rushing TD and an interception return for a touchdown.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
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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 football — Cardinals RB/LB took 32 carries for 115 yards and a score, adding four tackles and two sacks on defense in 21-20 loss to Lynden on Saturday.
Briytan Bailey, Puyallup football — Sophomore running back rushed 17 times for 146 yards and three touchdowns in 48-14 win over Evergreen.
Kam Balles, Auburn Mountainview football — Scored in all three phases of the game in a 61-7 win over Kentlake and racked up four total touchdowns. Had 132 punt return yards and a TD, 24 yards receiving and a TD, a rushing TD and an interception return for a touchdown.
Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds WR/DB caught a 23-yard touchdown, tackled four on defense (2 TFL), and blocked a field goal attempt in Mount Tahoma’s 49-22 road win at Camas on Friday.
Miles Fuavai, Federal Way football — Eagles senior tackled six and forced a fumble in Friday’s 50-20 win over Decatur.
Truth Hopkins, Silas football — Rams RB scored a pair of touchdowns in 42-6 win over Foss.
Cooper Jones, Timberline football — Blazers RB erupted for three touchdowns in Timberline’s 54-6 rout of Washington on Thursday.
Shan Jones, Mount Tahoma football — Senior linebacker tackled 13 in Friday’s 49-22 win at Camas.
Sione Kaho, Lincoln football — Abes QB completed 16-of-25 passes for 261 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, adding eight carries for 36 yards in 36-14 win over Yelm on Thursday.
Kolt Kuzaro, Enumclaw football — Hornets WR had two touchdowns in Saturday’s 75-0 win over Todd Beamer (one receiving), including a 95-yard interception return.
Anthony Lomiga, Franklin Pierce football — Cardinals senior had two catches for 48 yards and a touchdown, three carries for 10 yards, and an interception on defense in Saturday’s 21-20 loss to Lynden.
Ilai Malafu, Lincoln football — Abes WR had eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s 36-14 win over Yelm.
Lance McGee, Sumner football — Spartans RB took 12 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 28-0 win over Kennedy Catholic.
Israel Nabors, Sumner football — Spartans RB had eight rushes for 111 yards and a touchdown, adding a 10-yard touchdown catch (two total) in 28-0 win over Kennedy Catholic on Friday.
Luke Parker, Puyallup football — Vikings’ QB completed 16-of-18 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns and rushed five times for 40 yards in 48-14 win over Evergreen.
Blake Pearson, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles RB had 18 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown in 31-0 win over Skyview on Friday.
Ethan Schuppener, Bethel football — Bison RB rushed 17 times for 154 yards and three touchdowns in win over Emerald Ridge on Thursday.
Jadeon Scranton, Lincoln football — Abes RB took 21 carries for 155 yards and three touchdowns in 36-14 win over Yelm on Thursday night.
Jay Sinclair, Federal Way football — Eagles senior had one reception for a 73-yard touchdown, adding a sack and forced fumble on defense in Friday’s 50-20 win over Decatur.
Chaz Strickland, White River football — Junior QB completed 24-of-28 passes for 288 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in Thursday’s 48-10 win over Fife.
Darius Sum, Stadium football — Tigers RB had 18 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns, adding 74 receiving yards and a touchdown on two catches in 30-10 win over Mercer Island on Friday.
Zamarie Tellez, Federal Way football — Eagles WR/DB took his two carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns, adding three tackles and fumble recovery on defense in Friday’s 50-20 win over Decatur.
AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles QB completed 17-of-19 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s shutout win over Skyview.
Naesirhc White, Mount Tahoma football — Senior RB took 20 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown in 49-22 win at Camas on Friday.
This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM.
