A football journey that began in elementary school concluded with an epic curtain call for Eli Weeks.
The senior Toledo quarterback and defensive back helped the Riverhawks reach the state championship game for the first time in 29 years, and his stellar final campaign led to his winning the Central 2B League MVP and The Chronicle’s 2025 All-Area MVP.
Weeks totaled 3,413 yards from scrimmage and 43 total touchdowns on offense, and he recorded 43 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three defensive touchdowns in the secondary.
Individual success wasn’t on Weeks’ mind at any point during the season. He wanted the Toledo community to feel a sense of glory that it had yearned for since 1996.
“Overall, I’m proud of the whole team, just how we played together and how we’ve been playing together since we were in Little League in elementary school,” Weeks said. “We’ve always been part of a good group of guys, and they stayed with us. We got to where we wanted to be, and it paid off.”
The goal was to make a deep playoff run. Admittedly, however, Weeks said he wasn’t quite certain just how good Toledo would be on the gridiron as the Riverhawks hadn’t faced adversity and hadn’t really been tested, outside of a Week 1 contest against Adna.
That was until Week 8, when Toledo shut out Onalaska and ended its drought against the Loggers. In doing so, the Riverhawks clinched the C2BL East title.
“Defense wins championships, and seeing that our defense shut them out, that’s when I noticed that we could go really far,” Weeks said.
Toledo faced a gauntlet of 2B powers in order to accomplish its dream of playing on the first Saturday in December. The Riverhawks took care of business, routing Napavine in the quarterfinals and shutting down Okanogan to set up a date with Tri-Cities Prep in the state finals.
“That definitely gave us a confidence boost to beat those teams because we’ve always wanted to play those teams,” Weeks said of Napavine and Okanogan. “We were ready for it.”
Toledo built a two-score lead in the first half against the Jaguars in the championship game, but four turnovers, including a pick-six, sealed the Riverhawks fate in a 47-34 loss. Despite the heartbreaking finish to the 12-1 season, Weeks described the trip as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Toledo head coach Mike Christensen said the magical season began with a strong offseason program, especially from the senior group.
“We had a really good offseason all around as a program, and that starts with our seniors,” Christensen said. “Adam Kruger, Carter Swofford, Nathan Beaver, Alex Vasquez and Cecil Ventura all worked hard, but when you have your quarterback buy in and work as hard as Eli did, that sets the standard and elevates the entire team. He had as good an offseason as any quarterback I’ve coached. The work he put in the weight room completely changed his presence — he came into the spring stronger, more explosive and more confident. His leadership and consistency set the standard for everyone around him, combined with his understanding of the offense. It was like we had another coach on the field. I couldn’t be more proud of the young man he has become.”
Weeks began playing varsity football on defense as a freshman in 2022 before taking over as quarterback in 2023. As he moves on from prep football, he said he will look back fondly at the relationships he built with his teammates and coaches.
“I’m gonna remember the whole team. I’m gonna remember the community and the coaching staff, especially. They made me who I am today,” Weeks said. “They pushed me to be the best I can.”
Here is the rest of the all-area team.
Quarterback
Wyatt Hoffman, W.F. West
The sophomore lit up the field in his first year as a starter, totaling 38 touchdowns and north of 3,000 yards in leading the Bearcats back to the state playoffs. He was named the overall MVP of the Evergreen Conference.
Running backs
Peyton Davis, Tumwater
The senior became the latest tailback to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season and 2,000 for his career. He found the end zone 18 times on 109 carries, leading to being honored as the EvCo’s Offensive MVP.
Beau Miller, Adna
Battling a foot injury didn’t hamper the Pirates junior this fall, helping them reach the Class 2B state semifinals. He was at his best in the playoffs, finishing with 1,425 yards and 20 scores, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
Ethan Rodriguez, Rochester
Now the back-to-back MVP in the 1A Evergreen League, Rodriguez capped his stellar prep career with 24 touchdowns and 1,644 yards. Bound for Idaho next fall, his averages were 8.4 per carry and 149.5 a game.
Carter Swofford, Toledo
The workhorse running back for the 2B state runner-up Riverhawks had his number called the most, finishing with 2,011 yards on 175 touches and 22 touchdowns. He earned a spot on the All-C2BL East first team.
Ethan Thayer, Onalaska
A handful of months after triumphing in track and field, the Loggers junior carried the momentum into fall by putting up an area-best 2,347 yards and 25 scores. The fullback averaged 8.5 yards per touch to be a first team all-league honoree.
Caleb Von Pressentin, Napavine
In the middle of the season, the Tigers senior turned into the bellcow and top option in a refined offense and he excelled. He finished with 1,981 yards and tied for the most touchdowns in the area with 25 to snare C2BL West Offensive MVP honors.
Wide Receivers
Connor Coleman, W.F. West
Back on the gridiron after missing all of last season with an injury, Coleman returned to form with 734 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was a go-to target for Hoffman and earned a spot on the All-EvCo first team.
Kannen Kephart, Adna
One of the most explosive players in the area, the Pirates’ top receiver averaged 16.9 yards per catch on the season. His final numbers of 41 receptions, 691 yards and eight scores was enough to put him on the All-C2BL West first team.
Blane King, PWV
In his final season for the Titans, King did a little of everything in leading them back to the 2B state playoffs. He scored 11 total times, had over 800 total yards and averaged at least 10 yards per rush and catch.
Adam Kruger, Toledo
The unquestioned No. 1 receiver not only for the Riverhawks but the area, the senior posted career high marks in receiving yards (1,502) and touchdowns (23). Both were also tops in SW Washington to be a first team All-C2BL East selection.
Jordan Pringle, Rainier
One of the most eye-opening turnarounds was helped by Pringle, leading the Mountaineers back to the 2B state playoffs after an 0-4 start. He finished with over 600 total yards and six touchdowns on the season.
Tight End
Evan Baxter, Tumwater
Whenever the T-Birds did throw the ball, it was to their 6-foot-2 senior and he hauled in 282 yards on just eight catches, six of them for touchdowns. He snared a spot on the All-EvCo first team for his performance.
Offensive linemen
Wyatt Colbert, Napavine
The Tigers’ sophomore stood out in a reloaded offensive front to be a first team all-league pick. He was a catalyst in their blocking scheme for their run-first offense.
Noah Hellem, Adna
At 6-foot-3 and over 300 pounds, the Pirates senior was a stalwart at the tackle spot in helping the ground game get over 2,000 yards. Hellem was a first team All-C2BL West honoree.
Jackson Knittle, Adna
The other tackle for the Pirates was just as vital as his teammate in getting the program back to the state semis. Knittle also was a first team all-league selection.
Jorge Leal, Centralia
The senior was a captain under first-year head coach Tyler Gedney and helped the Tigers win two games on the season. He was their lone representative on the All-EvCo first team.
Peyton Santiago, W.F. West
One of the senior leaders helped give protection to an explosive offense and was rewarded with a spot on the All-EvCo first team.
Stanton Smith, Rochester
Named the Lineman of the Year in the 1A Evergreen League, Smith led the way for a rushing attack that ended the season with 4,886 yards.
Alex Vazques, Toledo
The senior was a vital part of a front-five that aided a running game to nearly 4,000 yards of total rushing and earned a spot on the All-C2BL East first team.
Defensive Linemen
Nico Acosta, Toledo
The junior played with his hair on fire and made life hectic for opposing quarterbacks, finishing the season with 11 sacks, 92 tackles and three forced fumbles. Acosta’s stats were enough to be named the C2BL East Defensive MVP.
Miles Martin, W.F. West
Only weighing 190 pounds didn’t hamper Martin’s ability to get in the backfield, finishing with 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and recovered two fumbles. The senior earned a spot at two different positions on the All-EvCo first team.
Jeremiah McKague, Tenino
In getting the Beavers back to the Class 1A playoffs, McKague was a key cog in their defense. He posted 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and 30 total tackles that landed him a spot as an all-league first teamer.
Chris Tartios, Rochester
A senior on the Warriors defensive front was all over the field, posting a stat line of 46 tackles, eight sacks, six tackles for loss and forced one fumble. He joined several of his teammates on the All-Evergreen first team.
Josh Vigre, W.F. West
Despite being on the All-EvCo second team, Vigre’s numbers were some of the best in the area. He registered 14.5 tackles, tops amongst the defensive line group, 6.5 sacks, an interception and 52 total tackles.
Linebackers
Morgan Allen, Onalaska
Viewed by his coaching staff as one of the leaders of the defense, Allen showed out night in and night out with impact plays. He also had three interceptions and three defensive touchdowns to be an All-C2BL East first team pick.
Blake Heryford, Tumwater
A stalwart in the Thunderbirds front-seven was a playmaker with nine tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and a defensive score. The senior was on the All-EvCo first team.
Parker Minerich, Tenino
The leader of the Beavers defense under coordinator JD Johnson wreaked havoc this fall, finishing with 12 TFLs, four sacks, 93 total tackles with two picks and two scores. He snared a spot on the All-Evergreen first team.
Steven O’Dell, Adna
Named as the C2BL West Defensive MVP, O’Dell got over 100 tackles for the first time as a prep, finishing with 107. The Pirates senior also had two sacks plus one interception and forced fumble.
Xander Peterman, Rochester
The senior was a dual-threat for the Evergreen League runners-up, but led the defense with 97 tackles and also recorded five sacks and seven tackles for loss. Peterman earned two slots on the all-league first team.
Maddox Rodgers, Rochester
The junior was all over the field for the Warriors and was named as the Evergreen League’s Defensive MVP. He posted 15 tackles for loss, had three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
Defensive Backs
Ethan Bello, Tumwater
On several occasions in the postseason, Bello was in the right place at the right time with area-highs in interceptions (eight) and pass breakups (12). He also had 29 tackles and was on the All-EvCo first team.
Jess Bender, Black Hills
In a renewed Wolves defense that finished third in the league, Bender stood out with 88 tackles, two interceptions, four tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He was named to the All-EvCo first team.
Rohan Feigenbaum, Toledo
The senior stepped up when the lights shined brightest, grabbing three of his seven interceptions in the Riverhawks’ last three playoff games. He also finished with 78 tackles and one forced fumble.
Haze Hamrick, Onalaska
A sophomore that made his mark for the Loggers, Hamrick came down with two interceptions on the year and earned a first team All-C2BL East spot.
Owen Simpkins, Rochester
Even as a member of the Warriors’ secondary, Simpkins was in the backfield plenty with an area-best 17 tackles for loss. He also had two picks, two sacks, three PBUs and 81 total tackles in his junior season.
Grady Wall, Tumwater
The junior got tested plenty and passed every single one, registering nine pass breakups and notching eight tackles for loss. He was named the EvCo’s Defensive MVP for the first time in his prep career.
Punter
Lucas Lusk, PWV
Very few times did Lusk come off the field for the Titans, representing three different positions on the All-C2BL West first team. As a punter, he pinned two of his 17 inside the 20-yard line with a long of 47 yards.
Kicker
Angel Cerseda, Onalaska
The Loggers didn’t kick many extra points, but where Cerseda’s impact came was on kickoffs. Ten of his kickoffs were inside the 20-yard line to get their defense in advantageous positions.
Return Specialist
Grayson Humphrey, Adna
An electric returner for the Pirates, the junior took one kickoff and four punts to the crib this fall with over 500 total return yards. He was named to the All-C2BL West first team.
