Washougal's Sam Evers (left) looks back at River Ridge's Kaden Haggard (12) during a game at Fishback Stadium in Washougal on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (Tim Martinez/The Columbian)
Washougal’s Sam Evers is The Columbian Week 1 high school football player of the week.
Evers received 833 of the 1,754 votes cast this week to win the honor.
The senior caught six passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 45-8 win over River Ridge.
The next player-of-the-week vote will start Monday with five new nominees. The vote continues through Wednesday.
Winners of the player-of-the-week may not be nominated again during the regular season. Athletes cannot be nominated in consecutive weeks.
Here are the accomplishments of the other Week 1 nominees:
Elijah Andersen, Woodland
The junior rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns, including a 60-yarder, in a 44-30 win over Kalama
Houston Coyle, La Center
The junior returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and added a 6-yard rushing score while tallying 65 all-purpose yards in the Wildcats’ 43-7 win against Hockinson.
Hudson Holzhauer, Stevenson
The senior compiled 22 tackles, including nine tackles for loss (four sacks) as the Bulldogs held on for a 20-14 win over King’s Way Christian.
Aiden Nicholson, Mountain View
The senior had six catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-21 loss to Nooksack Valley.
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