Colletto named Gatorade’s state player of year

Colletto said he woke up Monday morning and received a text from coach Jon Eagle letting him know he was named Washington’s top player. Colletto got to school and a package from Gatorade was awaiting him.

Colletto also was named the state player of the year by The News Tribune of Tacoma as well as the All-Region player of the year by The Columbian.

“Jack Colletto completely destroys every opponent they face,” Battle Ground coach Larry Peck said in Gatorade’s press release. “He is a true dual-threat passing and running the football and the leader of the best 4A team in the state.”

Skyview coach Steve Kizer told The Columbian two months ago that the best running back in Southwest Washington was the quarterback from Camas.

Colletto becomes the second Camas football player to be honored by Gatorade. Reilly Hennessey, who now plays for Eastern Washington University, was the state player of the year in 2013.

According to Gatorade, the award recognizes athletic excellence as well as high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character. Colletto also now becomes a finalist for national player of the year.

Colletto will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a $1,000 grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program.