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 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 that he plans to take recruiting visits to Oregon, Washington and Washington State.
Kirton also was named the Associated Press high school football player of the year for all classes as well as Class 4A. He was named to the AP 4A first-team offense as well.
Archbishop Murphy running back Jevon Butler was named the 1A player of the year. The Wildcat senior also was named to the 1A first team at running back and defensive back. Joining Butler on the 1A first team were Archbishop Murphy teammates Doug VanderWel (defensive line) and Wes Taylor (linebacker).
Archbishop Murphy’s Kyle Wilkins received honorable mention at defensive back.
The Wildcats finished the season as the No. 1 Class 1A team in the WashingtonPreps.com football rankings. Archbishop Murphy was ranked 13th overall among all high school teams regardless of rankings. The rankings are compiled by a statewide network of coaches, anaylsts, sportswriters and other high school football experts.
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