PREP FOOTBALL: Skyline quarterback Heaps named player of the year again

SEATTLE — Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps will head to Brigham Young as one of the most decorated high school players in Washington state history.

Heaps picked up his second straight Associated Press Washington high school player of the year award Wednesday, a unanimous choice in voting by AP members.

Already regarded as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country, Heaps concluded his career with a 40-2 record — both losses coming this season — and three consecutive state titles. In his senior campaign, Heaps threw for more than 3,000 yards and 45 touchdowns as the Spartans overcame regular season losses to Oaks Christian, Calif., and Bothell to beat Ferris in the Class 4A title game.

Heaps also led Skyline to the Class 3A title in 2007 and the 4A title in ‘08. He was the AP state player of the year as a junior and a first-team selection in Class 3A as a sophomore.

He was also voted the Class 4A player of the year and first-team quarterback.

Marysville-Pilchuck running back Austin Denton and Mariner defensive lineman Mychael Tuiasosopo were named to the 4A first team.

In Class 3A, Bellevue defensive disrupter Julious Moore was voted player of the year, a rare honor for a defensive lineman. Moore was the KingCo 3A/2A lineman of the year and is expected to play at UCLA. Moore helped the Wolverines to the 3A state title with a win over Liberty of Issaquah.

Zach Richter and John Froland of Glacier Peak and Naji Moore-Taylor of Meadowdale were on the 3A first team. Richter was named the classification’s top quarterback. Froland, who received honorable mention as a defensive lineman, was a first-team offensive lineman. Moore-Taylor was recognized as a defensive back.

Lynden’s Jordan Hastings was selected as the Class 2A player of the year after the Lions beat West Valley of Spokane for the state title. Hastings threw for 2,400 yards and 24 TDs and ran for another 959 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Clayton Knoles of Sultan made the 2A first team at wide receiver. Archbishop Murphy teammates Tani Tupou and Alex Martinez were on the 2A first-team defense, Tupou as a lineman and Martinez, who was also an honorable mention running back, as a linebacker.

Youth was honored in Class 1A where Connell sophomore Matt Hadley was voted player of the year. Hadley ran for 1,863 yards and 23 touchdowns for Connell, and caught another 20 passes with three more scores. Connell beat Cascade Christian in the state title game with Hadley running for 107 yards.

Four King’s standouts made the 1A first team: Quarterback Thomas Vincent, offensive lineman Ryker Young, defensive back Curtis Clauson and punter Nick Swanson. Clauson and Swanson also received honorable mention as wide receivers.

Kyle Grosshans of Adna was selected the Class 2B player of the year. Grosshans led the Pirates to their first state title in 20 years, and was a standout on both offense and defense. He was a first-team selection at both quarterback and defensive back.

Will Hoppes from Tri-Cities Prep was the Class 1B player of the year after throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 47 touchdowns. Hoppes finished his career with a number of state records in career passing and all-purpose yards. He finished with 60 combined touchdowns passing and running this season.