Puyallup Quarterback Wins Gatorade State Player Of The Year Award

PUYALLUP, WA — For the fifth time in 34 years, a Puyallup High School student athlete has been recognized as Gatorade's Football Player of the Year for Washington. Jacob Holcomb, quarterback for the Puyallup Vikings, was identified as the 2018-19 winner on Thursday.

Selecting 607 student athletes from among 12 sports categories across all 50 states, Gatorade awards teens who excel in athletics and academics, and who show "exemplary character" on and off their respective playing fields. Each winner is given $1,000 to donate to an organization of their choosing, along with the opportunity to submit an essay for a chance to also win one of only a dozen $10,000 spotlight grants for the same organization.

Holcomb now joins an elite club of athletes who've gone on to make no small name for themselves in the sports world, such as Emmitt Smith (1986-87), Alex Rodriguez (1992-93), Peyton Manning (1993-94), Kobe Bryant (1995-96), LeBron James (2001-02 and 2002-03), Olympic silver medalist Megan Hodge Easy (2005-06), and current Seattle Reign FC midfielder Morgan Andrews (2011-12 and 2012-13).

Previous recent award winners for Gatorade's Football Player of the Year in Washington include Isaiah Ifanse (2017-18, Bellevue High School), Jack Colletto (2016-17, Camas High School), Jacob Eason (2015-16, Lake Stevens High School), Austin Joyner (2014-15, Marysville-Pilchuck High School), and Reilly Hennessey (2013-14, Camas High School).

According to Gatorade, Holcomb, a PHS senior, is known for volunteering his time to help organize school events, coach youth football, and act as a basketball camp counselor, all while maintaining a 3.87 GPA.

For his athletic prowess, Holcomb's football stats include 3,148 passing yards with a 68.4 percent completion rate, earning 45 touchdowns and leading his team to the Class 4A state semifinals with an 11-2 record. Additionally, he scored eight touchdowns of his own, rushing 765 yards.

"Jacob was the most difficult player we had to prepare for all year," Curtis High School football head coach Chris Paulson said in a statement. "He is incredibly accurate as a passer and has the athleticism to extend plays as well. He is simply a winner."

All 607 state award winners are given a trophy along with the $1,000 grant award. Additionally, their schools get a banner.

The next state awards will be given in January for Volleyball and Girls Cross Country athletes, followed by Boys Cross Country in February, Girls and Boys Basketball in March, Baseball in May, and Softball, Girls and Boys Soccer, and Girls and Boys Track and Field in June.

Also in June, after all state awardees have been announced, Gatorade will select 12 National Players of the Year who will receive another trophy and banner as well as a trip to L.A. for the Gatorade Athlete of the Year Awards ceremony. They'll also receive tickets for themselves and two adult chaperones to the ESPY Awards event.

For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, or to nominate your own student athlete, visit PlayerOfTheYear.Gatorade.com.

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Puyallup Patch)

Editor's Note: Patch has contacted Puyallup High School Sports Director Kelly Susee but did not receive comments by publishing time. This post may be updated.

Image via Puyallup High School