SBLive’s 2021 all-state Washington high school football award winners: Graham-Kapowsin QB Joshua Wood is player of the year

By Todd Milles and Andy Buhler

There were stops and restarts, and it wasn’t easy, but the 2021 Washington fall high school football season was completed with six state championship games earlier this month.

And now it is time for SBLive to release its individual award winners this fall, including the all-classification player and coach of the year honorees, as well as the ones in each classification:

SBLIVE’S 2021 ALL-STATE INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS

Player of the year: Joshua Wood, QB, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.

Was there any doubt? The Eastern Washington University commit has done about everything you can in high school - a perfect 20-0 career record as a starter, leading the Eagles to the school’s first-ever Class 4A state title and being named the Gatorade state player of the year (2,496 passing yards, 613 rushing yards, 45 total touchdowns). If that wasn't enough, he then showcased his dual-threat talent on national television in Graham-Kapowsin's thrilling victory over nationally-ranked Collins Hill (Ga.) in the GEICO State Champions bowl game, which gave the program a season-ending No. 7 national ranking. "He is a game-maker," Eagles coach Eric Kurle said.

Two-way player of the year: Colton Bower, QB/S, North Kitsap, sr.

Look no further than a game in late October against Bremerton to understand the impact he had for the Vikings this season. He threw for 359 yards and six touchdowns that night, added 99 yards rushing and had an interception from his defensive back position. His numbers for the 2A semifinalists, and best squad i the West Sound - 2,669 passing yards, 602 rushing yards and 53 total touchdowns on offense, and 75 tackles, seven interceptions and two scores on defense. He finished with a career "The one word I use with him - irreplaceable," North Kitsap coach Jeff Weible said.

Offensive player of the year: Dylan Carson, RB, Marysville-Pilchuck, sr.

The 3A Wesco MVP's numbers speak for themselves — 214 carries, 2,671 yards, 46 touchdowns — as not only the top rusher in the state, but as the eighth-best single rushing season in state history. And Carson, who runs with both speed and power in the Tomahawks' slot-T attack, almost single-handedly led his team to the 3A semifinals after he rushed for 427 yards and five touchdowns against Yelm. "He’s tough to bring down," Marysville-Pilchuck coach Brandon Carson said. "He has good short-range quickness. And if he sees a hole and puts it into overdrive, he’s probably gone most of the time. … He’s just a special player."

Defensive player of the year: Dishawn Misa, LB, Eastside Catholic, sr.

He was more than just the speeding bullet with long hair. The all-3A Metro League middle linebacker was a four-year starter for the Crusaders, and an integral part of their back-to-back state championship squads in 2018 and 2019 - and one of the state's top defenses this fall (gave up 172.1 yards, 10.2 points per game; forced 39 turnovers). Misa's next-level IQ should fit in well at Boise State University. “We always talk about when teams fear you, they will protect themselves rather than the ball,” said Eastside Catholic defensive coordinator Marcus Ungaro, a former NFL defensive coach. "They don't wanna get hit by Misa or our other guys."

Offensive lineman of the year: Joshua Conerly Jr., LT/DL Rainier Beach, sr.

In a really good recruiting year of in-state big men, Conerly is on a level of his own. His athleticism and footwork are elite. No wonder the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder used to play tailback leading up to high school before Vikings coach Corey Sampson moved him to the offensive line, where he was mentored by current UW lineman Nate Kalepo (ex-Rainier Beach standout) and has said that it was "a move that changed my life." A holder of 30-plus D1 offers, Conerly will wait until the February signing period to decide on where he’ll play his college ball.

Defensive lineman of the year: Kaz Melzer, DE, Gonzaga Prep, sr.

Not a bad 14-game stint for the high-motor Melzer, who went from converted quarterback to Greater Spokane League defensive MVP at defensive end this fall. At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, "He is so long and has really, really good hands," Gonzaga Prep coach David McKenna said. The do-everything defensive stopper for the Bullpups fulfilled a dream he’s maintained since the seventh grade by accepting a preferred walk-on (PWO) opportunity at Stanford where he hopes to major in biology.

Breakout player of the year: Henry Mercado, QB, Kamiakin, sr.

The guy known as "Little Russ" in the Tri-Cities put it all together for a record-setting season. And he knew exactly how to find the end zone this fall. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder set a new Mid-Columbia Conference mark with 40 passing touchdowns (as well as more than 3,000 yards of total offense) in leading the Braves to the 4A semifinals, losing to eventual winner Graham-Kapowsin. Mercado was voted the league MVP. "Henry does a great job of distributing the ball," Kamiakin coach Scott Biglin said. "He really understands the offense. He’s also gotten better at running the football."

Newcomer of the year: Griffin Miller, LB/TE, Eastlake, sr.

A year ago, Miller was just filling out into his impressive, athletic frame. And after playing as a reserve in the pandemic-shortened spring season, he grew into the 4A KingCo's top two-way player in his first starting season for the Wolves, who won the league title over Bothell. At tight end, he caught 35 passes for 645 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, he had 71 tackles and a team-best 11 tackles for loss before breaking his collarbone in the state quarterfinals against Sumner. "His impact was not only on game days, but in practice," Eastlake coach Kyle Snell said. "He was our hardest working player on both sides of the ball."

Coach of the year: Eric Kurle, Graham-Kapowsin

Yes, he had his generational team with 15 starters back this fall, including state MVP Joshua Wood at quarterback. But he also maximized his talent to produce one of the most dominant seasons in WIAA history (averaged 45.8 points on offense, gave up 7.3 points on defense with seven shutouts) on its way to its first Class 4A championship. And the 15-0 Eagles upended then-No. 7 Collins Hill (Ga.), 40-36, in the Geico State Champions Bowl Series in Las Vegas. "We thought it could be a great year, but we could not ask for a better ending," said Kurle, 54, who just finished up his 27th overall season of coaching. "What else could you ask for?"

Here are the player and coach of the year honorees in each classification:

CLASS 4A

Player of the year: Joshua Wood, QB, Graham-Kapowsin

Coach of the year: Eric Kurle, Graham-Kapowsin

CLASS 3A

Player of the year: Dylan Carson, RB, Marysville-Pilchuck

Coach of the year: Michale Kneip, Bellevue

CLASS 2A

Player of the year: Colton Bower, QB/S, North Kitsap

Coach of the year: Blake VanDalen, Lynden

CLASS 1A

Player of the year: Avery Ellis, RB/LB, Royal

Coach of the year: Jim Shapiro, King's

CLASS 2B

Player of the year: Jackson Esary, QB, Kalama

Coach of the year: Aaron Cochran, Goldendale

CLASS 1B

Player of the year: Grady Murray, RB, Almira/Coulee-Hartline

Coach of the year: Brandon Walsh, Almira/Coulee-Hartline

(Featured file photo by Jann Handry)