The third week of the 2026 high school football season in Washington featured big individual performances on offense, defense and special teams.
Here are 10 standouts up for VarsityWA’s Football Athlete of the Week voting after Week 3:
Briytan Bailey, Puyallup: Was the workhorse in team’s 43-42 OT win at then-No. 1 Lake Stevens with 32 carries for 225 yards, totaling 378 all-purpose yards and hauling in the game-winning two-point conversion pass.
Ethan Bello, Tumwater: Harvard pledge was all over the field with a fumble recovery, two blocked kicks, a punt return for a touchdown and a receiving score in a 48-12 win over 4A KingCo favorite Mount Si.
Nolan Decubber, Moses Lake: First-year starting quarterback opened 4A CBBN play with a huge reach-the-end-zone night — 12-of-14 passing for 148 yards and a career-best six touchdowns in a 57-7 win over West Valley of Yakima.
Max Grindy, Almira-Coulee-Hartline: In front of the home crowd, the classification’s best player rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns while also adding a passing score in Warriors’ 62-18 win over reigning 1B champion DeSales.
Ryan Harrington, Anacortes: WSU quarterback pledge completed 37-of-69 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns, and also rushing for 105 yards and two late scores, including the decisive touchdown in a 48-47 triple-OT win over Archbishop Murphy.
Channing Kleine, Friday Harbor: One of the best all-around players in 2B was at it again — 16 carries, 235 yards, four touchdowns, totaling 378 all-purpose yards and recorded a pair of INTs on defense in a 45-7 win over Annie Wright.
Elliot Lenssen, Ferndale: Two weeks ago, he set a new program rushing record. Last week, he helped beat high-profile Whatcom County rival Lynden behind 182 rushing yards on 31 carries and three touchdowns in a 35-28 win.
Amari Samuel, Eatonville: One of 2A’s biggest surprise teams kept it going as this receiver had six catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns, totaling 370 all-purpose yards and getting an INT on defense in a 53-18 win over Steilacoom.
Adarius Sparrow, Skyview: Hauled in two of his three touchdown catches in the fourth quarter, including a 42-yarder that sealed the Storm’s 38-21 win over 4A GSHL rival Camas. Finished with 165 receiving yards in school’s first series win since 2011.
Ethan Thayer, Onalaska: Big man in the Loggers’ rushing offense led the way one more time — 19 carries, 171 yards, three touchdowns as Onalaska defeated then-No. 1 Adna, 44-32, at home.
Editor’s note: Click on the poll or follow this link to vote. Voting will remain open until noon Friday and is unlimited. To nominate an athlete in future weeks, please send us an email or direct message by 5 p.m. Sunday for consideration.
