SoCal Boys Athlete of the Week Voting Opens with Football Nominees

High School On SI is accepting votes for the Southern California boys athlete of the week, with eight football players nominated for their performances from August 17-22. Nominees include players who recorded multiple touchdowns, key defensive plays, and standout passing numbers. Fans can vote to determine the winner.

The weekly recognition program covers the CIF Southern, San Diego, and LA City Sections, showcasing the region's deep athletic talent pool. This week's eight nominees all come from football, with performances ranging from Matthew Escobedo's eight total touchdowns in a losing effort to Chris Fields III's four scores in a narrow victory. Several players demonstrated versatility, including Sammy Timu, who contributed on both offensive and defensive lines while scoring on a fumble return, and Nathan Vejar, who impacted the game on offense, defense, and special teams.

The voting format is designed to build excitement around high school sports, with the article noting that polls exist to celebrate all featured athletes regardless of final vote totals. No prizes are attached to winning, and the program emphasizes community support over competition. The nominees represent schools across the Southern California region, from Chaminade to Norco to Castaic, reflecting the geographic breadth of the coverage area.