AP names all-state football team; Kirton named player of year
Jackson's Johnie Kirton has been named state high-school football player of the year by The Associated Press.
Kirton, the Timberwolves' senior running back who missed the state record for yardage in a season by 1 yard, was singled out in the AP vote of sports editors and sportswriters from participating newspapers. Jackson finished the 2003 season with 2,675 yards.
Running back Jonathan Stewart, a junior from Timberline, was named Class 3A player of the year. Also selected were Brady Emmons, running back/linebacker from Meridian, in Class 2A; Jevon Butler, running back/safety from Archbishop Murphy, in 1A; T.J. Conley, quarterback from DeSales, in Class B-11; and Kevin Dainty, sophomore running back from Lacrosse-Washtucna, in Class B-8.
Here is the 2003 Associated Press all-state high-school football team for Washington state, as determined by the votes of state sports editors and writers.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
All classes: Johnie Kirton, Sr., Jackson
CLASS 4A
Player of the year: Johnie Kirton, Sr., Jackson
First Team Offense
Linemen: John Pittman, Sr., Pasco; Tyler Ashby, Sr., Ballard; Aaron Klovas, Sr., Bethel; Andy Roof, Sr., East Valley (Spokane); Brent Rushin, Sr., Kamiakin.
Quarterback: Steve Davis, Sr., Kamiakin
Running Backs: Johnie Kirton, Sr., Jackson; Luke Kravitz, Sr., Olympia; Leon Jackson, Jr., Pasco.
Tight End: Trenton Tuiasosopo, Sr., Mariner
Wide Receivers: Matt Hoss, Sr., Mountain View; Jeff Fritchman, Sr., Lake Washington; Ryan Anderson, Sr., Kamiakin.
Kicker: Gavin Lindsey, Sr., Pasco
Kick Returner: Lee Smith, Sr., Everett
First Team Defense
Backs: Darin Harris, Sr., Decatur; Michael Willis, Sr., Lincoln; JR Jamerson, Sr., Pasco; Keauntea Bankhead, Sr., Ballard.
Linemen: D.J. Cassell, Sr., Tahoma; Evan Ruud, Sr., Kamiakin; Isaiah Barsh, Sr., Puyallup; Eric Mattox, Sr., Pasco.
Linebackers: Steve Davis, Sr., Kamiakin; Patrick McKillop, Sr., Bellarmine; Walter Winter, Sr., Juanita; Trenton Tuiasosopo, Sr., Mariner.
Punter: Ryan Burks, Sr., Decatur
Punt Returner: Ryan Anderson, Sr., Kamiakin
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense
Linemen: Bobby Dockter, Sr., Kamiak; Steve Palmer, Sr., Bothell.
Quarterback: Jared Prince, Jr., North Kitsap
Running Backs: Tyler Mattair, Sr., Southridge
Tight End: Shawn Powell, Sr., Shadle Park
Wide Receivers: Luke Anderson, Sr., Eisenhower
Kicker: Ace Younggren, Jr., Snohomish Defense
Backs: K.C.Herren, Sr., Auburn
Linemen: Ceasar Rayford, Sr., Bethel; Jordan White-Frisbee, Sr., Inglemoor
Linebackers: Mike Welch, Sr., Pasco; Jason Belford, Sr., Lincoln
Punt Returner: Marcus Miller, Sr., Gonzaga Prep.
CLASS 3A
Player of the year: Jonathan Stewart, Jr., Timberline
First Team Offense
Linemen: Ryan Malecha, Sr., Prosser; Eddie Vickers, Sr., Columbia River; Matt Eichelberger, Sr., Sehome; Phil Hayes, Sr., O'Dea; Chris Byer, Jr., Anacortes
Quarterback: Mark Gray, Sr., Issaquah
Running Backs: Jordyn Jackson, Sr., Columbia River; Jonathan Stewart, Jr., Timberline; J.R. Hasty, Jr., Bellevue
Tight End: Nate Johnson, Sr., Lakes
Wide Receivers: Blake Fergeson, Sr., Issaquah; Jonah Hobson, Sr., R.A. Long; Sam Togar, Sr., Lakes
Kicker: Tyler Pittis, Sr., Anacortes
Kick Returner: Saxton Shearer, Sr., Burlington-Edison
First Team Defense
Backs: Chancellor Young, Sr., O'Dea; Chris Hamilton, Jr., Clover Park; Clint Hunter, Sr., West Valley (Yakima); Bryan Baird, Sr., Columbia River
Linemen: Richie Siolo, Sr., Washington; Matt Eichelberger, Sr., Sehome; Adam Hineline, Sr., Newport (Bellevue); Tyler Minium, Jr., Kelso
Linebackers: Andre Geraghty, Sr., O'Dea; Mike Fuaau, Jr., Washington; Riley Cornelsen, Sr., Ferndale; Ivan Merino, So. Prosser
Punter: Todd Gleave, Sr., Mark Morris
Punt Returner: Bryan Baird, Sr., Columbia River
Honorable Mention
OFFENSE
Linemen: Jordan Anderson, Sr., Clarkston
Quarterback: Adam Perry, Sr., R.A. Long
Running Backs: Jacob Dixon, Sr., Black Hills
Tight End: Logan Cullen, Sr., Anacortes
Wide Receivers: Azubo Bearden, Sr., Bellingham
Kicker: Patrick Lavalla, Sr., North Thurston
Kick Returner: Bryan Baird, Sr., Columbia River
DEFENSE
Backs: Allen Tucker, Sr., Clarkston
Linemen: Todd Gleave, Sr., Mark Morris; Joel Brown, Sr., River Ridge
Linebackers: Matt Walker, Sr., Yelm; Dan Winter, Jr., North Thurston
Punt Returner: Jake Locker, So. Ferndale
CLASS 2A
Player of the year: Brady Emmons, Sr., Meridian
First Team Offense
Linemen: Cody Balogh, Sr., Steilacoom; Kiel Greenleaf, Sr., Woodland; Dustin Knight, Sr., Meridian; Ben Lippert, Sr., Cashmere, Seth Strother, Sr., East Valley (Yakima)
Quarterback: Jordan Slesk, Jr., Meridian
Running Backs: Danny Wilm, Sr., Steilacoom; Jonny Peru, Sr., Ridgefield; Robert Bennedsen, Sr., Vashon
Tight End: Patrick Wells, Sr., Meridian
Wide Receivers: Ben VanDyken, Sr., Nooksack Valley; Severo Rodriguez, Sr., Othello; Ian O'Brien, Sr., Eatonville
Kicker: Jordan Troutt, Sr., East Valley (Yakima)
Kick Returner: Jordan Troutt, Sr., East Valley (Yakima)
First Team Defense
Backs: Parker Roylance, Jr., Othello; Mitchell Olson, Sr., Elma; Ty Willemsen, Sr., Nooksack Valley; Wes Norstadt, Sr., Mount Baker
Linemen: Derek Schulter, Sr., Steilacoom; Brett Sasseen, Sr., Cashmere; Gene Piffero, Sr., Hoquiam; Cesar Williams, Sr., Quincy
Linebackers: Ryan Callahan, Sr., Cascade (Leavenworth); Ryan Guiterrez, Sr., Port Townsend; Brady Emmons, Sr., Meridian; Geoff Kirkwood, Jr., Othello
Punter: Geoff Kirkwood, Jr., Othello
Punt Returner: Jason Yell, Sr., Cascade (Leavenworth)
Honorable Mention
OFFENSE
Linemen: Mark Matthews, Sr., Connell
Quarterback: Sonny Garza, Sr., Othello
Running Backs: Mikel Rathjen, Sr., Mount Baker; Ryan Callahan, Sr., Cascade (Leavenworth)
Wide Receiver: Jordan Troutt, East Valley (Yakima)
Kicker: Mark Jones, Jr., Cashmere
Kick Returner: Merle Bloyed, Jr., La Center
DEFENSE
Backs: Merle Bloyed, Jr., La Center; Jeremy Cheever, Sr., Cashmere
Linemen: Dustin Knight, Sr., Meridian; Marcus Walker, Sr., Pullman
Linebacker: Scott Rice, Jr., Colville
Punt Returner: Michael Corral, Jr., East Valley (Yakima)
CLASS 1A
Player of the year: Jevon Butler, Sr., Archbishop Murphy
First Team Offense
Linemen: Justin Ross, Sr., Zillah; Matt Mellor, Sr., Colfax; Colt Carpenter, Sr., Granger; Eric Inions, Sr., Zillah; Travis Freeman, Sr., Royal
Quarterback: Louis Santana, Sr., Zillah
Running Backs: Jevon Butler, Sr., Archbishop Murphy; Shane Stonemetz, Sr., Zillah; Brian Dahl, Sr., Cascade Christian
Tight End: Tyler Evans, Sr., Brewster
Wide Receivers: Nick Collins, Sr., Zillah; James Dykes, Jr., Royal; Beau Leaman, Sr., Tacoma Baptist
Kicker: Ryan Breakey, Jr., Highland
Kick Returner: Larry Marquette, Sr., Cle Elum
First Team Defense
Backs: Jevon Butler, Sr., Archbishop Murphy; Robert Reyes, Sr., Warden; Ryne Phillips, Sr., Brewster; Kelly Anderson, Sr., Zillah
Linemen: Jesus Rodriguez, Sr., Royal; Matt Mellor, Sr., Colfax; Colby Boyer, Sr., Oroville; Doug VanderWel, Sr., Archbishop Murphy
Linebackers: Chase Campbell, Jr., Kalama; Eric Inions, Sr., Zillah; Justin Ross, Sr., Zillah; Wes Taylor, Sr., Archbishop Murphy
Punter: Gerardo Valladares, Sr., White Swan
Punt Returner: Kelly Anderson, Sr., Zillah
Honorable Mention
OFFENSE
Linemen: Jason Bolin, Jr., Highland
Quarterback: Ray Valle, So., Royal
Running Backs: Robert Reyes, Sr., Warden
Wide Receivers: Sam Howard, Sr., Dayton
DEFENSE
Backs: Kyle Wilkins, Jr., Archbishop Murphy
Linemen: A.D. Knepper, Sr., Kalama
Linebackers: Feliciano Ramirez, Sr., Royal
Punt Returner: Lee Morrison, Sr., Okanogan
CLASS B-11
Player of the year: T.J. Conley, Sr., DeSales
First Team Offense
Linemen: Levi Ferraro, Sr., DeSales; Josh Cobb, Sr., Reardan; Trenton Briney, Sr., Davenport; Colt Shelton, Sr., Kittitas; Tye Giddens, Sr., Mossyrock
Quarterback: T.J. Conley, Sr., DeSales
Running Backs: Willy Evans, Sr., Mossyrock; Nick Nesmith, Sr., Kittitas
Tight End: Nick Richard, Jr., DeSales
Wide Receivers: Nick Conley, Jr., DeSales; Kyle Moore, Sr., DeSales
Kicker: Javier Galvan, Sr., Mabton
First Team Defense
Backs: Mason Garner, Sr., Reardan; Thomas Casselberry, Sr., Reardan; Shawn Friese, Sr., Willapa Valley; Nick Nesmith, Sr., Kittitas
Linemen: Duane Tompkins, Sr., DeSales; Josh Cobb, Sr., Reardan; Eli Fisher, Sr., Wilbur-Creston; Dan Powell, Sr., Mabton
Linebackers: Nick Richard, Jr., DeSales; Kevin Abena, Sr., Cathlamet; Leon Gray, Sr., Waterville; Tye Giddens, Sr., Mossyrock
Honorable Mention
OFFENSE
Linemen: Troy Chapman, Sr., Willapa Valley
Running Backs: Shaun Donnelly, Sr., DeSales; Robert Craig, So., Waterville
Wide Receivers: Andy Semprimoznik, Sr., Davenport
DEFENSE
Backs: Brycen Bye, Sr., Pomeroy
Linemen: Trenton Biney, Sr., Davenport; Brandon Schulte, Sr., Pomeroy
Linebackers: Brandon Cole, Sr., Waitsburg
CLASS B-8
Player of the year: Kevin Dainty, So., Lacrosse-Washtucna
First Team Offense
Linemen: Doyle Turner, Jr., Jubilee Christian; Brian Baumann, Sr., Lacrosse-Washtucna; Justin Parks, So., Jubilee Christian
Quarterback: Justin McKenzie, Jr., LaCross-Washtucna
Running Backs: Kevin Dainty, So., Lacrosse-Washtucna; Marcus Parks, Sr., Jubilee Christian
Wide Receivers: Josh Adams, Jr., Sprague-Harrington; J.D. Nebel, Sr., Lake Quinault
Kicker: Drew Heid, So., Touchet
First Team Defense
Backs: Ryan Dorman, Sr., Lacrosse-Washtucna; Kevin Dainty, So., Lacrosse-Washtucna; Josh Heid, Sr., Touchet
Linemen: Jonathan Ingham, Sr., Touchet; Matt Martin, So., Lacrosse-Washtucna; J.D. Nebel, Sr., Lake Quinault
Linebackers: Adam Whitman, Sr., Lacrosse-Washtucna; Carlos Chavez, Jr., Jubilee Christian; Eddie Castillo, Sr., Touchet
Punter: Drew Heid, So., Touchet
Honorable Mention
OFFENSE
Running Back: Kasey Kemmerer, Sr., Columbia-Hunters; Nick Pittack, Jr., Taholah; Brandon Revey, Sr., Lummi
Wide Receiver: Ryan Dorman, Sr., Lacross-Washtucna
DEFENSE
Linebacker: Marcus Parks, Sr., Jubilee Christian; Josh Adams, Jr., Sprague-Harrington
Punter: Ryan Dorman, Sr., Lacrosse-Washtucna