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FOOTBALL

TOMMY WOLF/Lit Media Productions

Geography of 2026 football: 10 playmakers in the Tri-Cities area

Mid-Columbia Conference dominates list, with CWAC and SCAC also represented

By TODD MILLES/VarsityWA


Aug 6, 2026

Been a while since you’ve attended a high school football game in your backyard?


If  you live in Benton, Franklin, Adams, Walla Walla, Columbia or Garfield  counties, VarsityWA can help by identifying 10 exciting players at  programs nearby to follow during the fall season.


To cover more  ground, only one player per school in leagues such as the 4A/3A  Mid-Columbia Conference, 2A CWAC, 1A SCAC, 2B EWAC and 1B Southeast is  being listed.


Editor’s note: Players selected don’t necessarily correlate with the VarsityWA preseason 100 or the preseason positional, class and classification rankings published in July.


10 GREATER TRI-CITIES PLAYERS TO WATCH

1. DB Cooper Cissne, Chiawana, jr. (4A)

On track to become one of Riverhawks’ all-time greats, and that is saying something.


2. WR Mason Severson, Kamiakin, sr. (4A)

Best receiver in Washington few know or talk about, but he is complete playmaker.


3. WR Brody Buxton, Prosser, jr. (2A)

Never short on confidence, all-CWAC receiver produces best against elite defenders.


4. QB Jackson Woodard, Richland, sr. (4A)

How much Bombers climb in MCC — and 4A — depends on this returning dual threat.


5. LB Toa Haertling, Southridge, soph. (3A)

Ex NFL player-turned-coach Matt Johnson knows elite talent — and teenager has it.


6. RB Silas Bjur, Liberty Christian, sr. (1B)

With Patriots’ experienced offensive line, he might rush for near 2,000 yards this fall.


7. RB Carter Bendewald, Kennewick, jr. (3A)

Randy Affholter’s type of player — strong, physical, tough and versatile in all phases.


8. QB Cohen Wood, DeSales, sr. (1B)

For as much as dual threat touched ball, he had no interceptions in Irish’s perfect 2025.


9. ATH Adam Mauia, Connell, jr. (1A)

Played H-back a year ago, and was a fearsome physical presence (6-3, 240) for Eagles.


10. WR Jaysen Beasley, Sageview, sr. (3A)

In first season, was school’s first all-league pick — and bigger receiving numbers ahead.


Honorable mention: QB Lincoln Heinrich, Walla Walla, jr. (3A); QB Aiden Tyutyunnik, River View, sr. (2B); ATH Julian Zahn, Columbia of Burbank, sr. (2B)


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