We knew the big names heading into the 2026 high school football season in the South Sound. Prized recruits, returning All-Area players, notable transfers who were expected to make an immediate impact.
But every year, a group of players who were flying under the radar before the season surprise us. Through five weeks of the high school football season, here are 11 players who have had breakout seasons. The list is presented in alphabetical order.
QB BRENNAN ABBOTT, SUMNER, JR.
In a word? Steady. Abbott has veteran pocket presence and has established a good rapport with senior receiver Ashton Pillard in the absence of UW commit Braylon Pope, the state’s top recruit who has been sidelined with an injury this season. Abbott has completed 70 percent of his passes, has passed for 891 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions.
RB IBRAHIMA DIALLO, OLYMPIA, SR.
We figured at least one running back would be the beneficiary of first-year head coach Carey Nagel’s run-heavy scheme. Diallo, a senior, has been the workhorse and has turned into a legitimate star for the Bears. He has rushed for 14 touchdowns and 1,072 yards through five games, averaging 10.7 yards per carry and 214 yards per game.
QB COLE FOWLER, EATONVILLE, SR.
The Cruisers have cooled after a 3-0 start, dropping the last two games to Washington and Fife in the 2A SPSL. The 6-foot-5 quarterback Fowler, though, has impressed overall, passing for 1,385 yards and 14 touchdowns.
WR LUKE PARKER, PUYALLUP, SR.
After playing a few different positions as a junior (including a stint at quarterback), Parker was regarded as one of the league’s top-returning versatile athletes, but we didn’t know he’d be this good. Parker, who has been a natural replacement for Lawson Looker, has a team-leading 488 receiving yards with 12 touchdowns on just 24 receptions, good for an average of 20.3 yards per reception.
RB PAXTON PATTERSON, ENUMCLAW, JR.
We saw the talent in spurts last year, but injuries prevented a full-on breakout sophomore season. As a junior, Patterson has emerged as one of the state’s top running backs, with a blend of raw power, vision and legit breakaway speed. He has 526 yards and 10 touchdowns in four games, despite only carrying the ball more than 12 times in one game (27 carries for 242 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Federal Way).
11 receptions
273 yards
3 touchdowns
Week 3 vs Bonney Lake https://t.co/jLrLnaaHt1
— Carter Pennington (@CarterP1010) September 20, 2026
WR CARTER PENNINGTON, CAPITAL, SR.
The best receiver in Thurston County this year has surpassed 100 receiving yards in all but two games. On the season, Pennington has 660 yards and six touchdowns, including a 273-yard, three-touchdown outing against Bonney Lake.
RB/DB KORBEN REED, LAKES, SR.
A difference maker on both sides of the ball. At running back, has 442 yards and 11 touchdowns on 50 carries, and at safety has a team-high seven tackles for loss.
RB/S TRE ROBINSON, EMERALD RIDGE, JR.
Emerald Ridge spreads its carries around to a bunch of different backs, but Robinson has been the most explosive of the bunch, rushing for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 41 carries. Also a standout at safety and one of the league’s top two-way players.
Coaches here are my weeks 1-3 highlights!!!!
@CaliDQ
@jml51190
@BrandonHuffman
@CoachMaccKamiak
@RecruitRadarNW
https://t.co/GoI8AwcqMv https://t.co/ma2ozdohv0
— Mj Wadley (@mjwadley2027) September 22, 2026
DL MJ WADLEY, GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN, SR.
The Yelm transfer has made an immediate impact at G-K, where he has a 4A SPSL-leading five sacks. Strong, high motor, understands leverage and bends well off the edge, according to Eagles coach Jeff Logan.
RB DERON WILLIAMS, BETHEL, SOPH.
Burst onto the scene in a Week 4 win over Bonney Lake, in which the sophomore back racked up 301 yards on 25 carries. On the season, has 717 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 143 yards per game on the ground.
RB JT WILLIAMS, LINCOLN, JR.
He’s been a versatile threat on offense as both a runner and pass catcher and has been a difference maker on defense, too. One of the area’s most dynamic athletes midway through the season.