Want to know who are the best players to watch in the Mid-Columbia Conference this season?

Here’s a list:

OL-DL Paz Barraza, sr., Southridge

Tough two-way lineman who was named first-team All-MCC on the offensive line, and second team on defense. Southridge had the top offensive team in the conference last season. Barraza had 43.5 tackles (11th best in the MCC) and 4 QB sacks.

WR-DB Jaysen Beasley, sr., Sageview

Beasley’s speed on the outside and precise route running gave the Lobos one of their few highlights in 2025. He caught 45 passes for 643 yards and 4 touchdowns.

DB-RB Cooper Cissne, jr., Chiawana

Cissne was first-team all-conference at both defensive back and on special teams. He has led the Riverhawks defense in tackles both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Expect that to happen again. Chiawana expects to use him on offense a lot too.

RB-LB Toa Haertling, soph, Southridge

As a freshman, he was in on 48 tackles, of which 10.5 were for loss (including 3.5 in QB sacks). Haertling was also a special teams dynamo, beyond being named second-team all-MCC in that position.

QB Lincoln Heinrich, jr., Walla Walla

As a sophomore, Heinrich passed for 1,580 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has a corps of experienced wide receivers and running backs returning. Expect a lot of aerial fireworks from the Blue Devils.

OL-LB Cole Hultgrenn, sr., Chiawana

Second team all-star last season on both sides of the line. Hultgrenn is important enough that the Riverhawks coaching staff is moving him to middle linebacker this season. He’ll still anchor that all-important offensive line too.

RB-DB Tayton Jackman, sr., Southridge

Now that Gabe Borisch has graduated and is playing at Western Oregon University, the spotlight on the Suns’ Wing-T focuses on Jackman. He rushed for 852 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, Jackman’s 59 tackles last season ranked second in the entire MCC. He also had 4 interceptions.

WR-DB Michael Kori, sr., Kamiakin

Kori has already verbally committed to playing defensive back for the University of Idaho. He had 3 interceptions last season, even though opposing offenses avoided throwing his way. He was also the Braves’ No. 2 passing target, catching 30 throws for 569 yards and 6 TDs.

OL-DL Mayes Mayovsky, sr., Kennewick

Lions coach Randy Affholter said Mayes is a lot like his older brother Myles, who starts at EWU at linebacker. They both just love football. A first-team offensive lineman last year as a junior, Mayes will be one of the keys this season for Kennewick moving the ball.

QB Emmett Osterdock, jr., Chiawana

Started at QB midway through last season and helped lead the Riverhawks to the MCC title and playoffs. Now starting from the get-go, Osterdock will be a big reason for how Chiawana moves the football. It all starts with him on the snap.

WR-DB Mason Severson, sr., Kamiakin

Like Kori, Severson is outstanding on both sides of the ball. He was first team at both wide receiver and as a kick returner. He caught 47 passes for 761 yards and 12 TDs. Between Kori and Severson, the Braves have a lethal 1-2 punch.

QB Jackson Woodard, sr., Richland

It’s hard to believe Woodard is finally a senior. This will be his third season as a starter. Last year he was a first-teamer at quarterback, throwing for 1,595 yards, 20 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions. That’s an outstanding ratio.