High school football: The News Tribune’s 2025 all-state team

These were the best high school football players in Washington this fall.

The News Tribune’s 2025 all-state football team highlights the top players from around Washington, across all of the state’s classifications. The team is carefully selected with input from coaches.

THE NEWS TRIBUNE’S 2025 ALL-STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Sumner running back Lance McGee (9) reacts to a touchdown against Lake Stevens during the second quarter of the 4A State Championship game at Husky Stadium, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Seattle.

RB Lance McGee, Sumner, sr. — Maybe the state’s most dominant running back since former NFL back Jonathan Stewart walked the halls of Timberline High School, McGee was at his best when the lights were brightest. In a Class 4A state semifinal against No. 1 seed Puyallup, McGee rushed for 313 yards and five touchdowns. Somehow, the Davis (Yakima) transfer was even better a week later in the state championship game against Lake Stevens, when he rushed for 368 yards and six touchdowns on 46 carries — all three marks now 4A state championship game records. McGee averaged 9.9 yards per carry this fall, finishing the season with 2,489 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns on 251 carries, carrying Sumner to back-to-back 4A state titles. Oregon State signee.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Sumner running back Lance McGee (9) and head coach Keith Ross embrace after Sumner’s 41-35 victory against Lake Stevens in the 4A State Championship game at Husky Stadium, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Seattle.

Keith Ross, Sumner — It was a rocky road this season in the valley, where the Spartans took three losses in the first five games of Keith Ross’ 25th year at Sumner. Then the Spartans won nine straight, including a revenge win over 4A SPSL champion and tournament top seed Puyallup in the semifinals and the win over Lake Stevens in the 4A state championship game at Husky Stadium. The win secured back-to-back 4A titles for Ross’ Spartans.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Brady Jay, Moses Lake, sr. — The Big Nine Conference MVP’s six touchdown passes in the 4A state quarterfinals propelled this talented signal-caller to the state’s all-time single-season record (72), surpassing Prosser’s Kellen Moore (67) in 2006. Three-star Montana signee.

DUAL-THREAT

Lake Stevens quarterback Blake Moser (6) reacts to a touchdown during the first quarter of the 4A State Championship game against the Sumner Spartans at Husky Stadium, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Seattle.

Blake Moser, Lake Stevens, jr. — There was no one in the state more dangerous than Moser, who torched opponents all season long with both his arm and legs in his first season as the team’s starter. Completed 155-of-233 passes for 2,612 yards and 39 touchdowns and added 850 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 12.3 yards per carry.

MULTI-PURPOSE

Jonah Keller, Gonzaga Prep, sr. — The Greater Spokane League’s all-purpose MVP was a threat to score wherever he lined up. He tallied over 900 rushing yards, over 500 receiving yards and 24 total touchdowns for the Bullpups this fall.

RUNNING BACK

Olympic’s Chace Webster (2) carries the ball down the field during their 40-6 win over Central Kitsap on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.

Chace Webster, Olympic, sr. — Shifty workhorse amassed 117+ rushing yards in all 11 games played this fall, exploding for 2,428 yards and 40 touchdowns that powered Olympic into the 2A state tournament. Kitsap Sun 2025 Player of the Year.

Franklin Pierce senior multi-purpose athlete Bryson Allen poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team offense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Bryson Allen, Franklin Pierce, sr. — The two-time 2A SPSL MVP was a nightmare for opposing defenses this fall, erupting for 2,040 rushing yards and a state-best 30 rushing touchdowns as the headliner of Franklin Pierce’s Power-T ground game. Allen guided the Cardinals to the 2A state quarterfinals from both sides of the football, adding 70 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks at linebacker. Two-time TNT All-Area first-team selection.

WIDE RECEIVER

Greyson Stevens, East Valley (Yakima), sr. — The 6-foot wideout with blazing speed was among the state’s leaders in receiving yards (1,297) with 21 touchdowns for the state-semifinal Red Devils. Three-star Montana State commit.

Graham-Kapowsin junior wide receiver Kase Betz poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team offense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Kase Betz, Graham-Kapowsin, jr. — A complete receiver, Betz was equally dangerous stretching the field vertically as he was in the short passing game, making defenders miss in tight spaces. 4A SPSL South MVP totaled 1,216 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 76 receptions. Holds offers from Montana State and Portland State.

Lake Stevens wide receiver Seth Price (4) stretches out after the catch during the fourth quarter of the 4A State Championship game against the Sumner Spartans at Husky Stadium, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Seattle.

Seth Price, Lake Stevens, jr. — The junior wideout caught a miraculous, game-winning touchdown pass to shock Sumner in Week 1 and never looked back, totaling 912 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 56 catches. 4A state runner-up and three-star recruit holds offers from Nevada and Montana State.

TIGHT END

Archbishop Murphy tight end Henry Gabalis (11) catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter of the 2A State Championship game against Tumwater at Husky Stadium, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Seattle.

Henry Gabalis, Archbishop Murphy, sr. — The four-star recruit began his high-school career with a winless, 0-8 season in 2022 and finished it at the mountaintop, grabbing a 51-yard touchdown in Archbishop Murphy’s 2A title win earlier this month at Husky Stadium. Arizona signee racked up 18 total touchdowns (10 receiving, eight rushing) with 965 scrimmage yards. Also played receiver and safety for the Wildcats.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Puyallup junior left tackle Gecova Doyal poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team offense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Gecova Doyal, Puyallup, jr. — 6-foot-5, 295-pounder was key for 4A tournament No. 1 seeded Vikings, dominant in both run blocking and pass protection. 4A SPSL North offensive lineman of the year and three-star recruit holds offers from UW, Stanford, Penn State, Oregon, Miami and others. Two-time TNT All-Area first-team selection.

Elijah Thomas, Sumner, sr. — The best offensive lineman on the state’s best offensive line, the 6-foot-3, 295-pound tackle was a nasty run blocker, creating holes for running back Lance McGee all the way to the 4A title game at Husky Stadium. 4A SPSL first-team selection.

Archbishop Murphy’s Hakeim Smalls reacts to getting a stop on fourth down during the 2A state championship game against Tumwater at Husky Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

Hakeim Smalls, Archbishop Murphy, sr. — 6-foot-4, 255-pound tackle was a key part of Archbishop Murphy’s undefeated season and Class 2A state title run. Boise State commit.

Cooper Daines, Mead, sr. — 3A/4A Greater Spokane League first-team selection was a game-wrecker on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Panthers. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder is considered a three-star recruit. WSU signee.

Graham-Kapowsin senior center Douglas Peterson poses for a portrait after being selected as first-time offense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Douglas Peterson, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — Three-year starter never missed a snap over the course of his career. Two-time 4A SPSL South offensive lineman of the year was a versatile player who excelled at making protection adjustments, leading G-K to a 4A state tournament semifinals appearance this year. Two-time TNT All-Area first-team selection will play lacrosse at Tiffin University in Ohio.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

Graham Kapowsin defensive lineman Jeremiah Leumuava (0) works against Kennedy Catholic offensive lineman Derek Colman-Brusa (55) during the second half of the opening round 4A state tournament game at Art Crate Field, on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Spanaway, Wash.

Derek Colman-Brusa, Kennedy Catholic, sr. — Game-wrecking pass rusher has the potential to play on Sundays, tackling 50 (19 TFL) with eight sacks and two blocked kicks this fall. Three-time TNT All-Area selection and two-time 4A NPSL Player of the Year signed with Washington over Ohio State, Oregon, and others.

Sumner senior defensive lineman Shaun Griffith poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team defense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Shaun Griffith, Sumner, sr. — The 4A SPSL’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year “plays harder than anyone” longtime head coach Keith Ross has directed in 28 years, a disruptor with a relentless motor. Two-time TNT All-Area first-team selection logged 84 tackles (15 TFL) with nine sacks.

O'Dea Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sioeli Siale (58) works against Graham-Kapowsin Eagles wide receiver Blake Pearson (12) during the second half of the game at Art Crate Field, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Spanaway, Wash.

Fameitau Siale, O’Dea, sr. — The state’s No. 5 recruit proved one of Washington’s most-feared edge rushers, helping power the Fighting Irish to the 3A title at Husky Stadium. Three-star recruit tackled 40 (4 TFL) with five sacks and signed with Utah over Washington, Oregon, Penn State, and others.

Mount Tahoma junior defensive end Teaven Jones poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team defense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Teaven Jones, Mount Tahoma, jr. — Mount Tahoma head coach Keith Terry deemed Jones “unblockable,” the state’s sack leader (20.5) with 87 tackles, 35 for loss. The 3A PSL Narrows Co-Defensive MVP forced two fumbles and anchored a defensive line that bullied its way into the 3A title game.

Archbishop Murphy defensive lineman Jack Sievers (85) hits Tumwater quarterback Jaxon Budd (17) as he throws during the fourth quarter of the 2A State Championship game at Husky Stadium, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Seattle.

Jack Sievers, Archbishop Murphy, sr. — A two-way star for the 2A-champion Wildcats, Sievers racked up 28 tackles for loss and 14 sacks with seven touchdown catches at tight end this fall, including a 35-yard score in the title game at Husky Stadium. Three-star Wisconsin signee.

LINEBACKER

Wassie Lugolobi, Eastside Catholic, sr. — The 3A Metro Mountain’s Co-Defensive MVP flew downhill on instinct, starring at middle and outside linebacker for the state-semifinal Crusaders. Three-star recruit signed with Stanford over Washington, Michigan, USC, and others.

Puyallup junior linebacker Michael Pulalasi poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team defense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Michael Pulalasi, Puyallup, jr. — The best linebacker in the state’s best division was a tackling machine and anchor over the middle for the Vikings this fall. Two-time TNT All-Area selection and 4A SPSL North Co-Defensive Player of the Year tackled 93 with 15.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.

Tayten Cissne, Chiawana, sr. — Mid-Columbia Conference defensive player of the year was a two-time all-league linebacker for Riverhawks. In 11 games this season, tallied 80 tackles, four sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three interceptions and a defensive touchdown.

Bethel senior linebacker Ramzak Fruean poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team defense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Ramzak Fruean, Bethel, sr. — The 4A SPSL South’s Co-Player of the Year wrecked opposing gameplans both at the line and in coverage, a versatile defender with Power-4 measurables. Logged 62 tackles (9 TFL) with six sacks and three interceptions, adding 24 catches for 625 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. Three-star recruit and UW signee.

Lynden’s Malachi Koenen (9) looks for a pass guarded by West Valley's Connor Dunfield in the 2A state football opening round at Ferndale High School on Nov. 15, 2025, in Ferndale, Wash.

Malachi Koenen, Lynden, jr. — Three-year starter and 2A Northwest Defensive Player of the Year tackled 87 with three interceptions (one pick-six) this fall, adding two pass break-ups and a forced fumble. Also named the conference’s first-team punter, Koenen added 25 extra points and five field goals at kicker.

DEFENSIVE BACK

The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football co-player of the year Mount Tahoma senior cornerback Elijah Durr poses for a portrait at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma, sr. — Beyond this season’s accomplishments, Durr brought an attitude and confidence to a Mount Tahoma program that had struggled in years prior, helping transform the T-Birds from a league doormat to one of the state’s top contenders over the course of his high school career. This fall, he was one of the state’s top all-around players, making an impact in all three phases of the game. Offensively, totaled 427 receiving yards and eight touchdowns and on special teams, returned three punts for touchdowns and blocked five field goals. The UW signee shone brightest on defense, where his talent as a lockdown corner prevented most teams from even trying to throw the ball in his direction. Tallied 35 tackles, three interceptions, and broke up four passes. Washington’s 2025 Gatorade state player of the year led Mount Tahoma to its first state championship game since 1980.

Mount Tahoma running back Felix Diaz (3) carries the ball past Lincoln defenders into the end zone for a touchdown on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Felix Diaz, Mount Tahoma, sr. — Diaz was one of Mount Tahoma’s best two-way players this fall, a lightning bolt at running back and dangerous defensive back lurking on Tacoma’s best team. The 3A PSL first-team DB snagged an interception and erupted for a 51-yard touchdown run in the 3A championship game at Husky Stadium, completing his senior campaign with a dozen rushing scores and three picks. “Electric with the ball on offense. Relentless finding the ball defensively,” head coach Keith Terry said.

Federal Way senior defensive back Zamarie Tellez poses for a portrait after being selected as first-team defense for The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area football team at Mount Tahoma High School, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash.

Zamarie Tellez, Federal Way, sr. — One of the state’s most-dynamic players didn’t allow a catch in Federal Way’s secondary all season, appearing on the 3A NPSL’s all-league team twice as Defensive Player of the Year and first-team wide receiver. Tellez finished his high-school career with 20 turnovers and 34 touchdowns, a four-year starter who torched teams as a return specialist, too. Three-star Eastern Washington commit.

Shea Stevenson, Royal, sr. — The 1A South Central’s Offensive MVP paced the conference in total touchdowns, taking 48 receptions for 17 scores with a pair of defensive touchdowns in Royal’s state-championship secondary. Totaled 36 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Morgan Dodson, Chiawana, sr. — The Mid-Columbia Conference’s first-team kicker and punter was a perfect 48-for-48 on extra-point attempts, adding seven field goals for the Riverhawks this fall. Five-star Montana commit.

P Bronson Arzillo, Redmond, sr. — KingCo Mountain first-teamer was the state’s leader in punting average (42.8 YDS) with 22 total punts in seven games.

Category: General Sports