Gonzaga Prep’s do-it-all Evan Weaver is TNT state football player of the year
Richland High School football coach Mike Neidhold first thought of former Walla Walla quarterback Drew Bledsoe and former Richland quarterback/linebacker Nate Holdren.
Gonzaga Prep coach Dave McKenna thought of a couple of his former players: Travis Long and Bishop Sankey.
But both coaches said they haven’t seen a player from east of the Cascades take over games like current Gonzaga Prep senior defensive lineman Evan Weaver has.
“I have coached and coached against some tremendous athletes in 30 years, but I can’t think of anybody more dominant that Evan,” Neidhold said.
Weaver, who is committed to the University of California, Berkeley, wears No. 89. It formerly belonged to Long, who is now in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“He’s much more physical than Travis, and his motor is more violent than Travis,” McKenna said. “If he can stay healthy and get a little bigger, he’s going to be a force to reckon with in the Pac-12.”
Caught up with #GPrep DE Evan Weaver (@Weavin_it) today. His workout today included a max deadlift of 585 pounds. pic.twitter.com/1wgvn4toji
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) August 1, 2015And likely in Saturday’s 4A state championship game, too.
Weaver’s complete impact — whether it be destroying plays as a defensive lineman, blocking kicks and punts or running for almost 800 yards and 15 touchdowns as a tackle-breaking running back — makes him The News Tribune’s 2015 state football player of the year.
He forced a fumble in last week’s semifinal win over Richland that led to a safety, scored the go-ahead touchdown with 5:37 to play and blocked an extra point.
Weaver blocked what would have been the go-ahead field goal in an overtime win at Bellarmine Prep in the second week of the season, and ran for three touchdowns, too.
That after he blocked a kick and returned it for a touchdown against Bellarmine the year before.
“He could probably return kicks for them, too,” Bellarmine coach Brian Jensen said. “Guys of that caliber are going to make their plays. He’s a kid who is as dominant in the fourth quarter as he is in the first quarter.
“His skill set for a kid his size is phenomenal.”
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound lineman has 122 tackles, 36 for loss, with 23½ sacks, four forced fumbles and three recoveries this season as Gonzaga Prep (13-0) prepares for a 4A state final against Skyline at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.
But his favorite play? That would be the game-securing 50-yard interception return for a TD with about a minute to play in a 28-18 state quarterfinal win against Woodinville (he also ran for three TDs).
“I got mauled by a bunch of teammates in the end zone,” Weaver said. “It was awesome.”
Coaches talk about Weaver’s explosiveness, unbelievable motor and how violent he plays.
He said it comes from years of what he said was being underrated.
“Honestly, some people say they play with a chip on their shoulder. I like to think I’ve got a rock because I’ve been so underrated,” Weaver said. “In my mind, I’m just trying to prove everybody wrong and be the absolute best player I can be.
“I use all that as motivation and drive to push myself every play and give 100 percent and, hopefully, make a lot of big plays.”
Richland lost two games this season. Both against Gonzaga Prep.
“I’ve never seen a kid completely take over a game like (Weaver) did,” Neidhold said. “On the offensive side of the ball, on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams — he literally took the game over. Both times.
“Now that the games are over and our season is in the books, it sure was fun watching that kid play and knowing, ‘Wow, this is one of the best kids I’ve ever seen.’ ”
Consider Weaver the JJ Watt of high school football in this state.
“They are kind of the same,” McKenna said. “He’s explosive like that and he’s got that fun energy to be around and a swag about him. JJ just might be a little taller and in the NFL.”
McKenna has seen that in Weaver since he entered Gonzaga Prep. But more impressive to him than the game-changing plays, explosiveness and intensity was how Weaver grew as a leader this season.
He said Weaver, in the past, would too often try to make the plays on his own. Whereas this year, Weaver is just as valuable when he’s taking on double and triple teams because it then allows Jack Machtolf or Conor McKenna to run free.
“Maybe he’s not making the tackle now, but he’s making the tackle happen,” McKenna said. “He’s realizing that he can’t do it alone.”
“I think the past couple of years I just wasn’t very mature,” Weaver said. “I just kind of did it for myself. But this year I’ve started to take the younger guys under my wing and try to help everybody out and try to be that true team leader.”
One that will try to lead Gonzaga Prep to its third state title in school history and first since 1986.
“I’ve been thinking about this forever and now that (a state title) is a realistic goal, it’s truly a blessing,” Weaver said. “But it’s going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of heart and hopefully we can come away with a win.”
TJ Cotterill: 253-597-8677, @tjcotterill
The News Tribune’s 2015 All-State football team
Player of the year: DL/RB Evan Weaver, Gonzaga Prep, 6-3, 245, sr.
Coach of the year: Mat Taylor, Skyline
OFFENSE
Quarterback – Jacob Eason, Lake Stevens, 6-6, 215, sr.: Rocket-armed Georgia signee (for now) threw for 3,585 yards with 43 touchdowns in leading Vikings to 4A semifinals.
Running back – Rashaad Boddie, Skyline, 6-0, 220, sr.: Physical, bowling ball of a running back with 1,716 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns entering state title game. Committed to Colorado State.
Running back – John Lesser, Liberty Christian, 5-10, 185, sr.: Obliterated state 1B career rushing record with 9,019 yards (previous was 7,539 yards). Had 5,633 total yards of offense this year.
Wide receiver – Clinton Allen Jr, Bishop Blanchet, 6-2, 210, sr.: Helped Braves reach state semifinals for first time since 1974 with team-best 63 receptions for 1,171 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Wide receiver – Matt Laris, Eastside Catholic, 6-4, 210, sr.: Cal commit leads stellar Crusaders’ receiving corps with 60 catches for 1,054 yards with nine touchdowns.
Tight end – Riley Krenz, Lake Stevens, 5-11, 195, sr.: Lake Stevens’ go-to receiving target. Led team with 68 receptions for 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Offensive line – Erik Lukner, Sedro-Woolley, 6-3, 290, sr.: Bucknell commit grew up playing hockey and paved way for more than 2,500 rushing yards that Cubs accumulated this season.
Offensive line – Chris Mitchell, Mountain View, 6-1, 275, sr.: Committed to Air Force. Center anchored line that returned all five starters and paved way for Preston Jones, who ran for 1,726 yards.
Offensive line – Scott Peck, Central Valley, 6-7, 295, sr.: Helped Grizzlies reach the state playoffs after just three wins the season before. Committed to Utah.
Offensive line – Korbin Sorensen, Kamiakin, 6-6, 275, sr.: Kamiakin had the top offensive line in the Mid Columbia Conference and Sorensen was a big reason for that as a load at right tackle.
Offensive line – Josh Watson, Cascade of Everett, 6-5, 265, sr.: Washington State commit and four-year letterman selected to all-4A Wesco team as both an offensive and defensive lineman.
Multi-purpose – Davis Alexander, Gig Harbor, 5-11, 175, sr.: Portland State commit and 4A Narrows MVP threw for 2,825 yards and ran for another 1,091 yards with 46 total touchdowns.
DEFENSE
Defensive line – Omar Dyles, Bellevue, 6-1, 260, sr.: 3A KingCo defensive lineman of the year has helped Wolverines reach title game for eighth consecutive season.
Defensive line – Isaac Garcia, Bellevue, 6-4, 225, sr.: Athletic Oregon State commit had seven sacks in eight regular-season games, while also contributing as a tight end on offense.
Defensive line – A.J. Ruffin, Wilson, 6-5, 230, sr.: 3A Narrows League MVP had 12 sacks and 10 tackles for loss despite constant double teams, and also is a standout tight end on state playoff team.
Defensive line – Amandre Williams, Tahoma, 6-3, 210, sr.: Led South Sound with 3,235 passing yards (best in 4A SPSL for second year in a row), and UW commit also had 17.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Linebacker – Dylan Axelson, Woodinville, 6-0, 200, sr.: 4A KingCo defensive MVP set school record with 115 tackles, while doubling as a first-team running back for team that reached 4A state quarterfinals.
Linebacker – Iain Black, Glacier Peak, 5-10, 190, sr.: Coach says he’s the best linebacker he’s had in 16 years. Had 71 tackles, 11 for loss, despite playing only the first two quarters of most games.
Linebacker – Eric Briscoe-Hernandez, Davis, 6-3, 215, sr.: Big-play linebacker was Columbia Basin Big 9 defensive MVP. Oregon commit is son of former standout UW player Eric Briscoe.
Linebacker – Brandon Wellington, Eastside Catholic, 6-0, 215, sr.: Ask Lakes what it thinks of UW commit. Returned two kicks for TDs in semifinals. Great pursuit defensively. A game-changer on offense, too.
Defensive back – Salvon Ahmed, Juanita, 5-11, 185, jr.: Division I recruit for 2017 helped Juanita reach quarterfinals for first time since 1989. Two-way first-team pick in 3A/2A Kingco.
Defensive back – Isaiah Gilchrist, Bellevue, 5-11, 180, sr.: Bellevue hasn’t had such an impactful defensive back since Budda Baker. UW commit had three interceptions against Blanchet in semifinals.
Defensive back – Danny Sinatro, Skyline, 5-11, 170, sr.: Ended Jacob Eason’s career with interception in the end zone in state semifinals, his eighth pick of the season. Father is former Mariners catcher.
Defensive back – Connor Wedington, Sumner, 5-11, 185, jr.: Should rack up plenty of Division I offers. 3A SPSL MVP had four interceptions, almost 500 return yards and ran for 1,532 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker – Jack Crane, Skyline, 6-2, 180, sr.: Has 16 field goals. Needs just two more field goals to tie current UW kicker Cameron Van Winkle for most single-season field goals in state history.
Punter – Van Soderberg, Capital, 6-0, 190, sr.: UW commit averaged 39 yards per punt, with 11 downed inside the 20. Didn’t miss a field goal on 10 tries.
All-purpose – Anfernee Gurley, Archbishop Murphy, 5-11, 175, jr: Cascade Conference most valuable player is a lock-down defensive back and had almost 1,400 combined rushing and receiving yards.
t.cotterill@thenewstribune.com
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Gonzaga Prep’s do-it-all Evan Weaver is TNT state football player of the year."