Winner of The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week (Sept. 15 to 20)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week for contests played between Sept. 15-20. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Champp Hernandez, Timberline football
The junior RB/DB had a 74-yard touchdown catch and two rushes for 34 yards and another score on the ground. On defense, had 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble in loss to W.F. West.
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 tallied four touchdowns in Thursday’s 68-22 win over Foss, taking seven rushes for 106 yards. On defense, added two tackles (1 TFL).
Briytan Bailey, Puyallup football — RB rushed 13 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns in win over Skyview.
Evan Barnes, Bethel football — QB completed 17-of-21 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns in win over North Creek.
Jaxon Budd, Tumwater football — T-Birds QB completed 2-of-3 passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns, adding three carries for 20 yards and a rushing score in Friday’s 49-21 win over Eastlake.
Malik Burns, Spanaway Lake football — In 24-10 over Federal Way, receiver had eight catches for 150 yards and a touchdown and a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Cole Chiechi, Enumclaw football — Hornets senior took 10 carries for 126 yards and three touchdowns in Thursday’s 70-0 win over Kentlake.
Peyton Davis, Tumwater football — T-Birds RB took 16 carries for a team-high 144 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 49-21 win over Eastlake.
Parker Fry, White River football — Hornets WR had four catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in 48-3 win over Auburn Mountainview.
Jayce Halasz, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles WR had six catches for 68 yards in Thursday’s 14-0 win over Emerald Ridge.
Colton Herbrand, Eatonville football — Had five catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns in 35-14 win over Clover Park.
Champp Hernandez, Timberline football — Junior RB/DB had a 74-yard touchdown catch and two rushes for 34 yards and another score on the ground. On defense, had 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble in loss to W.F. West.
Jaleo Johnson, Steilacoom football — Sophomore WR had eight catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s 39-0 win over Washington.
Birk Johnston, Bellarmine Prep football — Lions’ QB completed 14-of-23 passes for 263 and four touchdowns in win over Kelso.
Shan Jones, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds LB tackled 13 on defense (two assisted) with 2.5 tackles for loss, adding 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in Friday’s 21-17 win over 4A’s Mount Si.
Titus Kaeka, Steilacoom football — Sentinels QB completed 22-of-32 passes for 272 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in Thursday’s 39-0 win over Washington.
Gavin Kaikkonen, Tumwater football — T-Birds LB tallied 10 tackles (2 TFL) and a sack in Friday’s 49-21 win over Eastlake.
Kage Kuro, Enumclaw football — Hornets WR had two receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 70-0 win over Kentlake.
Lawson Looker, Puyallup football — Caught four passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in win over Skyview on Friday.
Noah Maxwell, Steilacoom football — Sentinels junior took 11 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown, adding four receptions for 31 yards in Thursday’s 39-0 win over Washington.
Trevon Mayfield, Kentwood football — Sophomore WR had three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown, adding a 30-yard carry in Thursday’s 63-28 win over Auburn Riverside.
Lance McGee, Sumner football — Workhorse RB took 33 carries for 288 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 31-24 loss to West Linn (Ore.)
Toetu Moliga, Lakes football — Lancers RB took 11 carries for 107 yards, adding one catch for seven yards in Friday’s 21-17 win over Curtis.
Ean Owens, Lakes football — Lancers WR/DB returned four kickoffs for 206 yards, including a 90-yard return for a touchdown that sparked a fourth-quarter comeback in Friday’s 21-17 win over Curtis. Owens added three receptions for 32 yards, two carries for 12 yards, and a tackle on defense.
Ray Palmer, White River football — Senior WR returned four punts for 141 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 48-3 win over Auburn Mountainview, adding a 30-yard kickoff return and two receptions for 27 yards. Had four tackles on defense.
Luke Parker, Puyallup football — QB completed 14-of-20 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns and rushed eight times for 104 yards and another touchdown in win over Skyview.
Blake Pearson, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles RB thrived in a workhorse role, taking 25 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 14-0 win over Emerald Ridge.
Nolan Potts, Capital football — Cougars QB tied a school record with five touchdown passes in Friday’s 42-22 win over Shelton, completing 15-of-22 passes for 336 yards. Added four carries for 12 rushing yards and a 29-yard field goal.
Chaz Strickland, White River football — Junior QB completed 13-of-15 passes for 202 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in Friday’s 48-3 win over Auburn Mountainview, adding one carry for two yards.
Darius Sum, Stadium football — Tigers RB had 13 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 34-yard catch in Friday’s 34-12 win over Mount Rainier.
Brandon Tagle, Kentwood football — Senior QB completed 5-of-8 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions), adding seven carries for 62 yards and a score in Thursday’s 63-28 win over Auburn Riverside.
Gavin Trachte, Enumclaw football — Hornets QB threw four touchdown passes in Thursday’s 70-0 win over Kentlake. Trachte completed 8-of-14 passes for 214 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, adding three carries for two rushing yards.
Owen Tracy, Auburn Mountainview football — Senior OLB tallied 9.5 tackles (3 TFL) with an interception in 48-3 loss to White River.
AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles QB completed 16-of-24 passes for 155 yards, adding nine carries for 28 yards and a rushing touchdown in Thursday’s 14-0 win over Emerald Ridge.
Eli Weir, Annie Wright football — Junior QB threw for 202 yards and completed 75 percent of his passes, throwing for a pair of touchdowns. Also rushed for two touchdowns in 49-0 win over Evergreen of Seattle on Friday.
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM.
