The senior tailback battered his way through one of the state’s better defenses on Thursday to lead Jackson to the Western Conference South Division title.
Kirton carried the ball 34 times for 162 yards and all three Jackson touchdowns to lead the Timberwolves past Mariner, 24-14. He also led a Jackson defense that held Mariner to 213 total yards and a season-low in points.
Through 10 games, Kirton has compiled 2,344 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns.
Kirton is pushing toward the state single-season rushing record of 2,678 yards set by Ferndale’s Matthias Wilson in 1997. Kirton’s 11th game will be tonight against Snohomish in a district playoff contest. He needs 335 yards to break the record, and would get another game if Jackson knocks off the Panthers and qualifies for the state playoffs. Wilson set the record in 13 games when Ferndale advanced to the state championship game.
Kirton handled the ball on 34 of Jackson’s 44 offensive plays on Thursday. He compiled 128 yards on his first 17 carries to help give the Timberwolves a 17-0 lead.
“What more can I say about him,” Jackson coach Joel Vincent. “He’s an incredible athlete.”
Other top football performers: Ken Kam, Marysville-Pilchuck; Jon Rockstad, Stanwood; Jeff Donaldson, Monroe; Travis Miles, Cascade; Nate Metcalf, Oak Harbor; John Lobbestael, Oak Harbor; Justin Voyce, Everett; Travis Anderson, Meadowdale; Alex McDonald, Meadowdale; Randall Eldridge, Lynnwood; Shane Hoffman, Shorecrest; Jon Glancy, Shorecrest; Sam Kastel, Shorecrest; Seth Setterberg, Shorewood; Casey Mitchell, Coupeville; Tony Gardiner, Bothell; Bart Ward, Bothell; Brad Sears, Lakewood; Pat Clune, Sultan; Gage Galle, Sultan; Victor Quan, King’s.
The junior swam automatic All-America times of 23.63 seconds and 23.87 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle and 1:04.34 in the 100 breaststroke during Saturday’s Wesco North sub-district meet.
McIntyre is the defending Class 4A state champion in both events.
“I was really impressed with my 50 free,” McIntyre said. “So I knew since I went a 23 I could definitely go 23-low in the relay and help ourselves to state. Then I did my 100 breaststroke with a state-qualifying relay under my belt, so I was pumped.”
McIntyre’s next goal is breaking the state record in the 100 breaststroke. Kathy Smith of Lake Washington set the mark of 1:02.96 in 1981, making it the oldest girls state swimming record.
“(My times) were exactly where I wanted them to be for state, because I wanted to go 1:02 at state and break the state record,” McIntyre explained. “To do that I had to get 1:04-low and I did, so I’m right where I want to be.”
Other top girls swimming performers: Kolby Nichol, Snohomish; Sarah Spillman, Edmonds-Woodway; Ashley Best, Kamiak; Rikka Brunner, Kamiak.
Girls soccer player of the week: Claudia Gil-Osorio, South Whidbey.
Other top girls soccer performers: Sarah Smart, Lynnwood; Lindsey Kihm, Snohomish; Kat Taylor, Archbishop Murphy; Andrea Gaitan, Archbishop Murphy.
Boys soccer player of the week: Andy Hewitt, Archbishop Murphy.
Other top boys soccer performers: Grant Brandal, Shoreline Christian; Garth Brandal, Shoreline Christian.
Volleyball player of the week: Korissa Clevish, Marysville-Pilchuck.
Other top volleyball performers: Heather Berg, Mariner; Molly Hunsinger, Lynnwood; Lauren Herold, Shorecrest; Nicole Thompson, Marysville-Pilchuck; Micaela Parker, Marysville-Pilchuck; Katelin Parks, Stanwood; Amanda Allred, Stanwood; Kaili Nelson, Mountlake Terrace; Leslie Compean, Cascade; Stephanie Lau, Kamiak; Julie Nguyen, Lynnwood; Ashley Allen, Jackson; Courtney Schneider, Snohomish.
Boys cross country athlete of the week: Jeff Helmer, Jackson.
Other top boys cross country performers: James Sundquist, South Whidbey; Neil Hollo, Granite Falls; J.D. Peters, South Whidbey.
Girls cross country athlete of the week: Amber Nickelson, Lake Stevens.
Other top girls cross country performers: Lucy Miller, Snohomish; Alyssa Modrell, Snohomish; Amanda Stopa, Snohomish; Kara Sporrong, Snohomish; Ashley Meyer, Snohomish.
John McDonald, Prep Editor
and Aaron Coe, Herald Writer
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