Tulsa World: Readers pick QB Deaton

TULSA WORLD HOMEPAGE | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | WIRELESS

OU | OSU | TU | ORU | HIGH SCHOOLS | COLLEGE FOOTBALL | COLLEGE BASKETBALL | NFL | FANTASY | OUTDOORS | GOLF | PROS | ALL

HOMEPAGES

SPORTS EXTRA BLOGS

		Sports Editor Mike Strain
		Sports Columnist Dave Sittler
		The Picker Entertaining & Infuriating

LOCAL PROS

ALL SPORTS

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

OUTDOORS

FIND A STORY

Search the World's archives

EMAIL ALERTS

SOCIAL MEDIA

RSS FEEDS

CONTACT US

BUY PHOTOS & PAGES

Buy a published photo by clicking the "Order this Picture" link on the photo. For a full-color page reprint, call 732-8198 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or order online.

TULSA WORLD

ADVERTISE ON SPORTS EXTRA

Learn more about the site.

Newspaper View Print this story

Bookmark

Readers pick QB Deaton
Sand Springs junior edges BTW’s Doctor for honor

Sand Springs' Johnny Deaton threw for 1,818 yards in 2008 along with rushing for 1,665 yards and 18 scores. Deaton edged out Booker T. Washington's Michael Doctor in the final 24 hours of voting for the readers' choice of Metro Player of the Year. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Published: 12/27/2008 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 12/27/2008 3:13 AM

JOHNNY DEATON'S running and passing helped lead Sand Springs to its first Class 6A playoff berth and winning football season since 1997.

The junior quarterback's playoff trip didn't last long, however, as the Sandites lost in the opening round to state champion Union.

Deaton, however, did come away with a postseason victory. For the first time, the Tulsa World invited readers to vote for their choice as the Metro Player of the Year.

With 24 hours left before voting concluded last Monday, Deaton and Booker T. Washington's Michael Doctor were in a virtual deadlock for the lead. However, a late surge gave Deaton a 711-vote win over Doctor out of almost 9,000 votes cast.

The other finalists were Union's Tracy Moore and Jeremy Smith, and McLain's Shawn Jackson. Deaton passed for 1,818 yards and 11 touchdowns. But he did just as much damage on the ground. He was 6A's leading rusher most of the season and finished with 1,665 yards and 18 TDs.

"My coaches told me before the year that they would run me more this year," Deaton said. "It helped us get to where we needed to go."

Deaton's best statistical game came in a 45-42 overtime win in Week 3 against Ponca City as he passed for 243 yards and rushed for 200. He also rushed for five TDs in a Week 9 victory over rival Sapulpa.

However, Deaton said his best individual performance came in the regular-season finale against state runner-up Jenks. Although Sand Springs lost, Deaton accounted for 379 total yards and three TDs.

"Johnny's such a dual-threat kid," Sand Springs coach Dustin Kinard said. "He's got a very strong arm. And he's just starting to learn the game. He's such a competitive kid. I'd like to get all my kids to compete at his level. And he's a great kid on and off the field. He's very smart.

Deaton's favorite quarterback to watch is the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning.

Deaton, who is 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, is looking to take the Sandites to a higher level next season as they return nine of 11 offensive starters.

"I want to get bigger and stronger and faster," said Deaton, who is being recruited by Oklahoma State. "I'd like to get to 205 (pounds).

"Our goal this year was to get to the playoffs, and we accomplished that. Next year, we want to win when we get there."

Barry Lewis 581-8393
barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

Newspaper View Print this story

Bookmark

COMMENTS

Add your comment

Show: Most Recent Comment First

0 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.