Winner of The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week (Nov. 17 to 22)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week for contests played between Nov. 17-22. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Nezie White, Mount Tahoma football
The senior RB rushed 18 times for 145 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 3A state tournament quarterfinal win over Lincoln.
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.
Malcolm Akuffo, Puyallup football — Vikings RB scored three touchdowns in Saturday’s 49-20 win over Skyline in the 4A state quarterfinals, taking eight carries for 60 yards.
Bryson Allen, Franklin Pierce football — The South Sound’s rushing leader eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark in Saturday’s 27-6 loss to Tumwater in the 2A quarterfinals, handling 19 carries for 116 yards.
Kase Betz, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles WR had nine catches for 216 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 42-35 win over Gonzaga Prep in the 4A state quarterfinals.
Tyler Briscoe, Tumwater football — Rushed 15 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns in win over Franklin Pierce in the 2A state quarterfinals.
Felix Diaz, Mount Tahoma football — Rushed eight times for 70 yards and a touchdown and on defense had an interception and fumble recovery in 3A state tournament quarterfinal win over Lincoln.
Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds DB/WR had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown and logged four tackles in Saturday’s 42-14 win over rival Lincoln in the 3A state quarterfinals.
Jayce Halasz, Graham-Kapowsin football — The sophomore receiver posted career-highs in receptions (12) and receiving yards (188) with a touchdown in Saturday’s 42-35 win over Gonzaga Prep in the 4A state quarterfinals.
Teaven Jones, Mount Tahoma football — T-Birds DE tackled eight with a team-high four tackles for loss in Saturday’s 42-14 win over rival Lincoln in the 3A state quarterfinals.
Lance McGee, Sumner football — Spartans RB took 23 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s 34-17 win over Glacier Peak in the 4A state quarterfinals, adding two catches for 41 yards.
Braylon Pope, Sumner football — Spartans WR had three catches for 44 yards, adding a 25-yard touchdown run that sealed Saturday’s 34-17 win over Glacier Peak in the 4A state quarterfinals.
AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin football — Eagles QB threw for a career-high 539 passing yards to guide Graham-Kapowsin over Gonzaga Prep, 42-35, in Saturday’s 4A state quarterfinals. Tuivaiave completed 30-of-35 passes for 539 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, adding three carries for 26 yards.
Grady Wall, Tumwater football — On offense, took six carries for 51 yards and on defense, led the team with 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss in win over Franklin Pierce in the 2A state quarterfinals.
Nezie White, Mount Tahoma football — Rushed 18 times for 145 yards and a touchdown in 3A state tournament quarterfinal win over Lincoln.
This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM.
