Want to know who are the best players to watch in the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference this season?

Here’s a list:

RB Ethan Akpodiete, jr., Eastmont

Breakaway propensity led to a 9-yard-a-carry average season ago, and gives new coach Rory Rosenbach and top 1-2 punch with senior back Austin Zelinski (see final entry).

QB Drayden Birley, sr., West Valley

After throwing for nearly 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Rams, and the two-time first-team all-CBBN catcher for a WV baseball team that has been unbeaten in league play the last two years.

RB/AP Elijah Burns, sr., Moses Lake

The versatile back rushed for more than 400 yards a season ago, and was one of all-state QB Brady Jay’s targets last fall with 74 receptions.

WR Griffin Butler, sr., Wenatchee

The big target – 6-foot-3, 180 pounds – caught 31 passes for 509 yards and four touchdowns last season, and is also a standout outfielder for the Panthers in the spring.

RB-LB Antonio Castillo, sr., Eisenhower

The top defensive player for the Cadets has earned second-team all-conference honors the last two seasons, and also is a reliable ground threat on the other side of the ball.

WR-DB Dalton Hargraves, sr. West Valley

The league’s top receiver a season ago (56 receptions, 927 yards, 9 touchdowns) was a first-team all-conference selection on both sides of the ball, leading the Rams’ pass defense, too.

RBs-LBs Petrah Mackenzie, sr., and John Rainey, jr., Moses Lake

Rainey, the reigning CBBN Defensive Player of the Year, teams with the powerhouse Mackenzie to form one of the top linebacking duos in the state, and both will see some carries on the other side of the ball.

TE-DE Taggart Rathbun, sr., Moses Lake

A force on the defensive front, helping the Mavericks shut out three opponents and hold three more to 7 points or less, and also caught six touchdown passes.

QB Julian Villanueva, sr., Sunnyside

The top returning passer with 1,873 yards and 21 touchdowns a season ago will guide the offense under first-year coach Lavon Coleman.

OL-DL Ryan Walt, sr., Eastmont

The first-team all-CBBN selection helps pave the way for the Wildcats’ robust ground game that returns all-conference running backs Austin Zelinski, Ethan Akpodiete and quarterback Peyton Zelinski.

RB Austin Zelinski, jr., Eastmont

The two-time second-team all-CBBN selection had more than 500 yards of offense, including 11 receptions in the run-heavy offense.