Editor’s note: We prohibit the use of bots and any other artificial methods of voting. Suspicious activity could lead to the disqualification of candidates and a permanent suspension of the Athlete of the Week poll. No voting by email: Votes by email and after 5 p.m. Wednesday are not counted.
Welcome to the Bay Area News Group (Mercury News & East Bay Times) boys Athlete of the Week poll.
For the entire academic year, we will provide a list of candidates who stood out over the previous week and allow you, the reader, to vote for the winner.
This week, we consider performances from Sept. 2-7.
Polls close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Vote as many times as you’d like until then without using bots or any other artificial methods of voting.
Votes by email and after 5 p.m. Wednesday are not counted.
Scroll to the bottom for the poll.
Winners are announced each Friday online and in the print edition of the Mercury News and East Bay Times sports sections.
Candidates for future Athlete of the Week polls can be nominated at highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com.
We accept nominations until 11 a.m. each Monday.
We also review stats submitted to MaxPreps by coaches/team statisticians.
On to the nominees:
Lenox Colvin, Oakland football: Colvin was efficient at quarterback for the Wildcats, completing 12 of 16 passes as Oakland defeated American of Fremont by a dominant scorel line of 50-0.
Angel Estrada, Yerba Buena football: Estrada was the featured player for the Aztec Warriors’ defense, collecting eight tackles for loss as Yerba Buena lost a close one 27-18 to Harbor of Santa Cruz.
Jeremiah Fung, Palo Alto football: Fung returned two interceptions for touchdowns and scored a third on a pass from his brother, sophomore quarterback Justin Fung, as Paly shut out Oak Grove 40-0.
Kingston Keanaaina, St. Francis football: Keanaaina nearly made school history on Friday night. The Lancers’ senior running back compiled 357 all-purpose yards and rushed for 336 yards, the second-highest total by a St. Francis player. He added three touchdowns as the Lancers defeated McClymonds 34-14.
Bryce O’Nesky, Amador Valley water polo: O’Nesky, a senior, scored seven goals and contributed two assists as Amador Valley defeated Livermore 20-5.
Ryland Pierce, College Park water polo: Pierce, a goalkeeper by trade, contributed on both sides of the ball for College Park. He scored two goals and posted three steals in a 17-1 win over Vintage and contributed an assist in a 17-8 win over Novato. In the victory over Vintage, he saved five shots and allowed no goals. In the victory over Novato, he saved 11 shots.
Zayne St. Laurent, Branham football: St. Laurent had a banner day for Branham at wideout, scoring four receiving touchdowns as the Bruins rolled Scotts Valley 60-35.
Alex Stoffel, Menlo School water polo: Stoffel, a junior, scored 11 goals and had 13 assists, seven steals, five blocks and nine ejections earned as Menlo advanced to the final of the Roche Invitational. The Knights went 4-1 last week, defeating Los Gatos, Burlingame, Rio Americano and Buchanan and losing 12-11 to Redwood in the invitational final.
Tristian Tia, Amador Valley football: Tia, a senior, tossed five touchdown passes as Amador Valley defeated Cosumnes Oaks 54-7. He completed 16 of 18 passes for 267 yards through the air.
Owen Thomason, Arroyo football: Thomason, a senior, rushed for 86 yards and six touchdowns on 14 carries as the Dons took down Washington-Fremont 37-29. Thomason also played a key role at linebacker as Arroyo improved to 2-0 this season.
Evan Vernon, Christopher football: Vernon, a senior, led the Cougars’ receivers with 125 yards on eight catches, including a 57-yard touchdown, as Christopher beat Piedmont Hills 35-7. Defensively, he compiled eight tackles and had a crucial pass breakup at the goal line.
