Washington’s Daniels voted the WDN Offensive Player of the Year

By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor

It started and ended with a bang.

Washington senior Travis Daniels set some lofty goals prior to the start of the 2007 football season. The Pam Pack running back wanted to run for over 2,000 yards and score 25 touchdowns.

Using some powerful bursts and breakaway speed, Daniels came darned close to matching those figures. While helping the Pam Pack finish with an 8-4 record, Daniels erupted for 2,290 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns.

“I basically worked hard all season,” Daniels said. “I got good line support and they really improved on their blocking. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

The Pam Pack wouldn’t have done what it did, winning the Class 3-A portion of the Coastal Conference and advancing to the state playoffs, had it not been for Daniels.

Because of his impressive season, Daniels was voted the WDN Offensive Player of the Year.

“That means a lot to me,” Daniels said. “Last year it wasn’t something I even thought about. This year I worked hard to get it.”

Washington head coach Sport Sawyer said Daniels, who was also named the Coastal Conference Player of the Year, was deserving of the honor.

“That’s a very good award for him,” Sawyer said. “It’s nice recognition for him.”

Daniels started his senior season in impressive fashion. He ran for 330 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-13 win over North Pitt.

“The first game was probably the highlight of the season for me,” Daniels said. “It was very important to get off to a good start. Before the game, somebody asked if I could get 100 yards. I just went out and ran hard and came up with a big game.”

Daniels followed with several more big games. He ran for at least 113 yards in all 12 games, eclipsing the 200-yard mark four times and the 300-yard mark twice.

Daniels also scored at least one touchdown in 11 of the 12 games.

“I’m quick and fast,” Daniels said. “I think that’s what helped me. I work hard in order to do what I can do on the field.”

Daniels capped his season with 327 yards and three touchdowns, coming in a 41-40 double-overtime loss to South Granville in the state playoffs. The last carry of Daniels’ high school career went for a touchdown.

Daniels, who was also a standout at defensive back, isn’t about to hang up the cleats. He’s hoping to play at Appalachian State next year.

“I just love football,” he said. “I love everything about it. I love hitting; I love running; I love everything about it.

“I’m just very excited and ready to play at the next level. As soon as I find out the team I’ll be playing for, I’ll start working hard to improve my skills.”

Daniels, who will run track in the spring to help with his quickness on the football field, finished his career at Washington with 5,168 yards rushing and 57 touchdowns.

“What makes Travis so special is his dedication to the game and his hard work through the years,” Sawyer said. “He’s just a hard-nosed player and a great young man.”

His prep football days are over, but Daniels said he won’t soon forget them.

“Playing at Washington meant a lot,” Daniels said. “When you’re young, all kids want to grow up and play for Washington. It feels good to have played for the Pam Pack. To put up the numbers I did while playing for the Pam Pack feels really good.”

TRAVIS DANIELS

(Career stats)

125 yards and 2 touchdowns as a freshman

1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore

1,553 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior

2,290 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior

Career totals 5,168 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns

TRAVIS DANIELS

(Season stats)

Game 1: 20 carries for 330 yards and 4 TDs

Game 2: 26 carries for 164 yards and 2 TDs

Game 3: 22 carries for 132 yards and a TD

Game 4: 18 carries for 205 yards and 3 TDs

Game 5: 17 carries for 158 yards and 2 TDs

Game 6: 22 carries for 235 yards and 2 TDs

Game 7: 28 carries for 114 yards and a TD

Game 8: 19 carries for 113 yards and a TD; 1 catch for 3 yards

Game 9: 19 carries for 119 yards

Game 10: 15 carries for 121 yards and a TD

Game 11: 19 carries for 272 yards and 2 TDs

Game 12: 33 carries for 327 yards and 3 TDs

TOTAL: 258 carries for 2,290 yards and 22 TDs; 1 catch for 3 yards