Gatorade honors Kirton

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Jackson High School running back Johnie Kirton has been named the Gatorade high school football player of the year for the state of Washington.

Kirton, a 6-foot-3, 248-pound senior, is among 51 players representing each state and the District of Columbia being considered for the national player of the year award to be announced in early December.

Kirton led the Timberwolves to a 10-2 record and the first state-playoff berth in school history. He rushed for a school-record 2,665 yards and 34 touchdowns.

"Johnie is a tremendous athlete with a rare combination of size and speed," Jackson coach Joel Vincent said in a statement released by Gatorade. "And as good of an athlete as he is, he’s just as great a person."

Academically, Kirton carries a B average.

He said earlier this month that he plans to take recruiting visits to Oregon, Washington and Washington State.