The senior fullback led the Wildcats to their second straight Class 1A state football championship on Saturday.
Butler rushed for 167 yards on 26 carries and spearheaded a defense that became the first to shut out Zillah all season.
Butler finished his season with 1,977 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. He also finished his second straight season without a fumble.
“That’s a statistic I’d like to see every running back in my program strive for,” Archbishop Murphy coach Terry Ennis said of Butler’s sure hands.
Butler finished his three-year varsity career with 4,872 yards and 53 touchdowns. As fun as it was to win the state title in 2002, Butler cherished it even more this time around
“We are seniors, and we knew we had to come in and defend our state championship,” Butler said. “It’s a way bigger thing because we’re seniors.”
Other top football performers: Kyle Wilkins, Archbishop Murphy; Ben Waiss, Archbishop Murphy; Stan Smith, Archbishop Murphy; Jeff Arkell, Archbishop Murphy; Wes Taylor, Archbishop Murphy; Doug VanderWel, Archbishop Murphy.
The senior center scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, seven of them offensive boards, in a 76-40 victory over Sedro-Woolley. She scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and scored a put-back basket to send the game into overtime in a 51-50 victory over Ferndale.
A team captain, Holloway made different contributions in each of her games last week.
Against Sedro-Woolley, she played less than three quarters, but provided valuable leadership.
“It was our first game and I’m a first-year coach,” Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri said. “I’ve been with the girls two weeks and there’s a lot of new terminology, a different offense and we’re playing more man-to-man defense than before.
“She has done a good job of picking up the philosophy and helping the others learn it.”
Against Ferndale, Lake Stevens needed a big performance from its star center.
“We needed rebounds big time,” Tri said, “and she got 13 to lead both teams. She also had four or five blocks.”
And the clutch basket to tie the score.
“She’s the girl we dump the ball into when we need a basket,” Tri said.
Other top girls basketball performers: Amy Jones, Darrington; Jamie Lyons, Archbishop Murphy; Lisa Coate, Archbishop Murphy; Nikki Jordan, Marysville-Pilchuck; Shawnta West, Lake Stevens; Kristi Auckland, Cascade; Rachel Brown, Mountlake Terrace; Randi Richardson, Arlington; Mary Tseng, Shorecrest; Brittni Estes, Lake Stevens; Erica Huffman, Mariner; Heidi McNeill, Oak Harbor; Nicole Megard, Granite Falls; Casey Jensen, Granite Falls; Lauren Smith, Lakewood; Lindsey Bryson, Darrington; Lindsey Bordeaux, Edmonds-Woodway; Katie Trew, Edmonds-Woodway; Ashley Grover, Mountlake Terrace; Molly Hunsinger, Lynnwood; Vanessa Davis, Coupeville; Krista Eknes, Archbishop Murphy.
Boys basketball player of the week: Garth Brandal, Shoreline Christian.
Other top boys basketball performers: Luke Phifer, Grace Academy; Jeremy Brown, Oak Harbor; Jake Moore, Mount Vernon; Alan Black, Coupeville; John Jensen, Shoreline Christian; Kyle Olin, Master’s Touch; Tyler Wong, Lake Stevens; Rob Diederichs, Shorewood; Kyle McGillen, South Whidbey; Josh Nelson, Skykomish; Geraud Pepin, Cascade; Marcus Guffey, Cascade; Tyler Marley, Monroe; Tommy Craddock, Mariner; Chris Faidley, King’s.
Wrestler of the week: Michael Bell, Mariner.
Other top wrestling performers: Chad Johnson, Cascade; Dan Munro, Kamiak; Mark Ferrin, Snohomish; Ryan Conley, Sultan.
Boys swimming athlete of the week: Zach Harrington, Kamiak.
Other top boys swimming performers: Brian Tarr, Everett; Dan Erickson, Everett; Matt Kaftanski, Everett.
Girls bowling athlete of the week: Markeeta Munger, Cascade.
John McDonald, Prep Editor
and Aaron Coe, Herald Writer
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