Winner of The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week (Sept. 22 to 27)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week for contests played between Sept. 22-27. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Kyle Curtis, Orting football
The Cardinals QB scored five touchdowns (4 Pass, 1 Rush) and directed the game-winning drive in the final minutes of Friday’s 43-42 win over Franklin Pierce. Curtis completed 14-of-20 passes for 301 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, adding a 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
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 ran for a career-high 367 rushing yards on 24 carries, scoring four touchdowns in Friday’s 43-42 loss to Orting.
Braden Barrett, Olympia football — Defensive back had two interceptions and five tackles in 14-3 loss to Bethel.
Kase Betz, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles WR had seven receptions for 186 yards and four touchdowns in Thursday’s 61-34 win over Bonney Lake.
Cole Chiechi, Enumclaw football — Hornets RB had 60 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, adding an interception on defense in Thursday’s 14-7 win over Federal Way.
Mikkah Cordero, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds QB was a perfect 11-for-11 passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns, adding two carries for 11 yards in Friday’s 48-0 win over Central Kitsap.
Kyle Curtis, Orting football — Cardinals QB scored five touchdowns (4 Pass, 1 Rush) and directed the game-winning drive in the final minutes of Friday’s 43-42 win over Franklin Pierce. Curtis completed 14-of-20 passes for 301 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, adding a 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds WR/DB had two receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown, adding three tackles on defense in Friday’s 48-0 win over Central Kitsap.
Cole Fowler, Eatonville football — Cruisers QB completed 12-of-20 passes for 296 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in Friday’s 55-24 win over Foss.
Parker Fry, White River football — Hornets WR took six receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 55-0 win over Todd Beamer.
Jayce Halasz, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles WR had four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 61-34 win over Bonney Lake.
Jaleo Johnson, Steilacoom football — Sentinels WR took five catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 34-12 win over Clover Park.
Shan Jones, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds linebacker tackled eight with an interception in Friday’s 48-0 win over Central Kitsap.
Teaven Jones, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds DE tallied three sacks and five tackles in Friday’s 48-0 win over Central Kitsap.
Hunter Liberty, Olympia football — Had 15 tackles, including three tackles for loss in 14-3 loss to Bethel.
Noah Maxwell, Steilacoom football — Junior rushed six times for 97 yards and two touchdowns, had an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and nine tackles on defense in 34-12 win over Clover Park.
Lance McGee, Sumner football — Rushed five times for 118 yards and three touchdowns in win over South Kitsap.
Connor McIlraith, Eatonville football — Cruisers RB took nine carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 55-24 win over Foss.
Parker Minerich, Tenino football — Junior LB/RB had tackles, including two tackles for loss, an interception and a 73-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. On offense, had five catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns in 44-15 win over Centralia.
Toetu Moliga, Lakes football — Lancers RB handled eight carries for 67 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 49-8 win over North Thurston.
Cruz Nolan, Stadium football — The state’s sack leader (10.5) tackled 15 with five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in Thursday’s 46-44 win over Auburn.
Ean Owens, Lakes football — Lancers WR had two receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, and returned a punt for another score in Thursday’s 49-8 win over North Thurston.
Luke Parker, Puyallup football — Vikings’ QB completed 17-of-21 passes for 262 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed eight times for 56 yards and another touchdown in 54-0 win over Emerald Ridge.
Paxton Patterson, Enumclaw football — Hornets RB took 16 carries for 133 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s 14-7 win over Federal Way.
Sam Patterson, Curtis football — Completed 19-of-25 passes for 277 yards and five touchdowns in win over Rogers.
Tonye Penn, Timberline football — Senior WR/LB scored four touchdowns in Friday’s 42-0 win over River Ridge, tallying two receiving touchdowns, a kickoff return for a score, and an interception return for a pick-six.
Kovi Poulin, White River football — Hornets WR had three catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 55-0 win over Todd Beamer.
Jadeon Scranton, Lincoln football — Abes RB rushed 17 times for 93 yards and three touchdowns in win over Gig Harbor.
Kyran Sessoms, Lakes football — Lancers DE tallied seven tackles (2 TFL), a sack, and a pass deflection in Thursday’s 49-8 win over North Thurston.
Chaz Strickland, White River football — Hornets QB completed 19-of-22 passes for 301 yards and six touchdown passes, all in the first half of Friday’s 55-0 shutout of Todd Beamer.
Darius Sum, Stadium football — Tigers RB had five receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns, adding 13 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 46-44 win over Auburn.
Kooper Tasler, Stadium football — QB completed 9-of-14 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 12 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns in win over Auburn.
AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles QB broke his own school record with eight touchdown passes in Thursday’s 61-34 win over Bonney Lake, completing 22-of-24 passes for 409 yards without an interception.
Naesirhc White, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds RB handled 11 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 48-0 win over Central Kitsap.
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM.
