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 2020 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.
Jordan Holland of
East Anchorage is the 2020 MaxPreps Alaska High School Football Player of the Year. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back helped the Thunderbirds go 7-0 and finish as the state's No. 1-ranked team in an abbreviated season due to the ongoing pandemic.
In six games (one of East's victories was a forfeit), Holland caught 27 passes for 590 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, he tallied 20 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception.
Holland saved his best for last, putting his big play ability on display in a 41-0 win over Bartlett on Oct. 24. After picking off a pass in the first quarter, he caught a 69-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing possession. The two-way star finished the game with five catches for 124 yards and two scores. He also produced 100-yard receiving games against West Anchorage and South Anchorage in the first two games of the season.
In three seasons on the East varsity team, Holland helped the program go 23-3 with a Division I state championship in 2018 as a sophomore.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released Jan. 29.
Jordan Holland (81) of East is the MaxPreps Alaska High School Football Player of the Year.
Photo by Skip Hickey
