Jackson, Marshall, Rushton among area players honored

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 | 11:31 a.m.

Steven Jackson, Kellen Marshall and Kyler Rushton helped their clubs to division titles during the 2000 football season, and this week, they reaped their rewards.

Eldorado's Jackson and Cimarron-Memorial's Marshall, both running backs, shared Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Rushton, a Cimarron defensive back, was named Defensive Player of the Year by Southern Nevada's 4A head coaches.

Jackson, a 6-1, 210-pound senior, racked up 2,764 yards and 34 rushing touchdowns this fall, leading the Sundevils to the Northeast Division crown, the Sunrise Region title and a berth in the 4A State Tournament.

"It's a great feeling to be part of this, thanks to the recognition of all the coaches," Jackson said. "It was a great year, personally and for the team. I worked hard to get those results, and it paid off."

Marshall, a 5-11, 165-pound junior, ran for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns for Cimarron, helping the Spartans roll to a perfect 9-0 regular season mark and two wins in the Sunset Region playoffs.

"There's a lot of running backs in the state, and I was chosen co-MVP of the offensive team, so I feel privileged," Marshall said.

Rushton, a 6-1, 190-pound senior, anchored a Cimarron defense that allowed just 95 points in nine regular season games. Rushton finished with a team-best 132 tackles, along with six interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

"It's a great honor," Rushton said. "(Former Cimarron linebacker) Taylor Miller won it last year, so I was happy to keep the award at Cimarron."

Basic's Cliff Frazier was named Coach of the Year after leading the Wolves to a Southeast Division title, a perfect league record and the school's first playoff appearance since 1989.

The Spartans led the way in All-Southern Nevada voting, placing six players on the first team: Marshall, Rushton, guard Nate Knight, center Brandon Garcia, outside linebacker Anthony Bass and defensive lineman Chase Spencer.

Joining Jackson on the first team was teammate David Salgado, an inside linebacker. Salgado was also named Defensive Player of the Year in the Sunrise Region, with Rushton earning Sunset defensive kudos and Jackson and Marshall picking up top offensive honors in their respective divisions.

Western's Tim Day was the only player to make the first team on both sides of the ball, getting the nod at tight end and as a defensive lineman.

Rounding out the first team offense were: Basic quarterback Mark Rose and receiver Nate Lord, Durango running back Jamar Thomas and tackle Eric Spangelo, Silverado tackle V.R. Bohman and kicker Steven Whiteman, Foothill receiver Nate Wederquist and Las Vegas tackle Mark Gutierrez.

Selected to the first team defense were: Valley defensive back James Sims and punter Julio Moreno, Palo Verde defensive back Zuri Whiters and outside linebacker Joe Liles, Chaparral defensive back Dallas Dobbs, Centennial inside linebacker Josh Neiman, Cheyenne inside linebacker Kevin Thomas, Mojave defensive lineman Sergio Flores and Las Vegas defensive lineman Jacob Hales.