Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2021 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence, in addition to local and state accolades.
Gavin Sawchuk of
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) is the 2021 MaxPreps Colorado High School Football Player of the Year. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back helped the Eagles go 13-1 and play their way into the Class 5A state championship contest before falling to Cherry Creek.
In the 21-0 loss to Cherry Creek, Sawchuk carried the football 28 times for 78 yards and caught four passes for 34 yards. During the playoff run, he ran for 458 yards and three touchdowns on 95 carries and caught six aerials for 100 yards and another score.
For the season, the Oklahoma commit carried the football 287 times for 2,004 yards and 28 touchdowns while catching 10 strikes for an additional 152 yards and two scores. Sawchuk demonstrated his ball toting skills in a 30-7 win over Oaks Christian Sept. 3 when he rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries. He also scored three times and ran for 233 yards on 23 carries during a 52-21 triumph over ThunderRidge Oct. 29.
The nation's No. 68 prospect overall, according to 247Sports, Sawchuk ran for 150 yards or more eight times while averaging seven yards a carry for the year. For his career, Sawchuk has run for 5,724 yards on 694 carries and scored 77 times. The 2020 first team all stater also caught 37 balls for 440 yards and five more scores at Valor Christian.
Iowa State freshman defensive back Myles Purchase was the 2020 MaxPreps Colorado Player of the Year after helping Cherry Creek to a second straight Class 5A state title a year ago.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion on the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in early January.
Gavin Shawchuk, Valor Christian
Photo by Paul Shepardson
