FORMER AREA STANDOUTS Kevin Haynes (left) and Jesse Zalk (right) each earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) First-Team honors this past season while playing at Central Washington University.
FORMER PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL standout Jesse Zalk (right) is shown here with wife Emily (left) after a game last fall at Central Washington University.
BATTLE GROUND HIGH SCHOOL graduate Kevin Haynes (38) is shown here while playing in a game for Central Washington University this fall.
Former Greater St. Helens League standouts Kevin Haynes and Jesse Zalk were two of three members of Central Washington University’s (CWU) football team to earn Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) First-Team honors this past season.
Both Zalk and Haynes were selected to the first-team for the second consecutive season, with Zalk earning first-team honors as both a wide out and kick returner. Both of the first-team selections for Central Washington were unanimous.
Zalk, a Prairie High School graduate, led the GNAC in receiving yards per game (75.0) and was second in receptions per game (4.8). The junior also led the conference with a 26.2 kickoff return average, and led in total kick return yards with 813.
"Jesse was simply dynamic this season," said CWU coach Ian Shoemaker. "He was a big weapon for us on offense and gave us points and field position with his return ability. The numbers he put up this season were amazing, especially after missing a chunk of time due to injury."
Haynes, a sophomore, led the Wildcats with 73 total tackles, which ranked fifth in the conference. Haynes, a Battle Ground High School graduate, also totaled three sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass break ups.
"Kevin is as solid as they get defensively," Shoemaker said of his two-time all-conference linebacker. "Kevin is a smart ball player and produced for us again. He battled for us this season, and only being a sophomore we get the pleasure of working with him for two more years."
Haynes also was named to the All-GNAC Academic team this season. A Business Administration major, Haynes sports a 3.59 grade point average (GPA). In order to be eligible, a student-athlete must have a GPA of 3.20, have been at their current institution for one calendar year, be at least sophomore academic status, and be in their second year of academic competition.
On Oct. 5, Haynes was selected as the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the football team's 24-21 victory over Azusa Pacific. Haynes totaled 10 tackles; three pass breakups, two sacks ,and a forced fumble. His forced fumble came at the most opportune time, popping the ball loose from a Cougar ball carrier on the Wildcats' one yard line with CWU up 24-21 late in the fourth quarter.
Zalk was twice named the GNAC Special Teams Player of the Week. On Nov. 18 he was named after his performance the team’s 30-24 victory over Simon Fraser (SFU). Zalk totaled 142 yards on two kickoff returns, one of which went 95 yards countering a SFU touchdown that put the Clan up 21-9. His only other return went for 47 yards putting the Wildcats in great position to score the first touchdown of the game.
At the time, Zalk led the GNAC in all-purpose yards per game at 209.2, a mark that also ranked second nationally. Zalk also led the conference in kickoff return yardage with 813 and kickoff return average at 26.2.
Zalk also received the Special Teams Player of the Week honor on Sept. 22 for his performance during the Wildcats’ 40-19 win over Western Oregon.
Zalk, who showed throughout the season that he was a consistent threat to break any return open for a touchdown, did just that in the first half for the Wildcats taking a punt 79 yards to the end zone to put the Wildcats up 14-6.
"After I caught it on the left hash I tried to see where the best spot and opening was, once you find that spot you can usually get about 15 yards" Zalk said about his return. "When I found the spot our guys put on some great blocks, and I knew I was going to score and immediately celebrated with my teammates. Nobody can return a kick without a full effort from everyone on the team."
