Skyline, Bellevue seniors earn state football player of the year honors

Kasen Williams and Kendrick Van Ackeren sit back-to-back in an old freight elevator for a photo shoot.

Between them, they have won six state football championships, enough hardware to surround themselves with trophies. Yet they are several floors apart in terms of recruiting interest and hype.

At 6 feet 2, 200 pounds, Williams is one of the top receivers in the country. The Washington-bound recruit has built a reputation for big plays and state titles. At 6-2, 185, Van Ackeren hasn't garnered the attention or accolades that Williams has, but also has three state titles.

Side-by-side, Williams looks every bit the national recruit. Almost a year older and 15 pounds heavier, he looks like he could suit up for the Huskies right now.

But while the senior standouts sit on a grimy floor, someone says Van Ackeren looks bigger than Williams in that pose.

"Yes!" Van Ackeren says, punctuating it with a fist pump.

Van Ackeren more than measures up to Williams when it comes to high-school success. They have been two of the most productive players from two of the top programs in the state. They were the leaders who helped young teams deal with lofty expectations, getting Bellevue and Skyline back to the Tacoma Dome.

Williams, named on Monday The Seattle Times' 2010 overall and Class 4A player of the year, played in four championship games and won three. Van Ackeren, the 3A player of the year, played in three title games and won them all.

"After freshman year, state was expected and there was always talk about how we're going to be better than the last year," Williams said. "That was always just an expectation."

Van Ackeren knows all about expectations. "Having that happen and winning all those championships, coming in, you've got to expect to win," he said. "If you expect anything less, then you shouldn't be playing there."

All these two have done is win. The big difference is Williams' college future has already been determined, while Van Ackeren waits for the right offer.

"When he gets to the next level, he's going to get developed well and he's going to be one of those guys who will make some plays," Williams said when asked about Van Ackeren. "That Bellevue team is always one of the top teams and they've always got athletes coming out of those teams. He's another one of those athletes that's going to shine."

Skyline lost 24-16 to Ferris of Spokane in the 4A title game, but that can't erase Williams' accomplishments the past four years. He finished his high-school career No. 4 on the state's all-time receiving list with 4,121 yards, No. 4 in career receptions at 235 and No. 3 in receiving touchdowns with 56.

"Amazing athlete," Van Ackeren said of Williams. "He's got everything. He's got the physical and mental aspect of the game. He's a high flyer. He's got good speed. He's strong, everything you need to play the game."

During his senior season, Van Ackeren led a young Bellevue team to its eighth title in 10 years. He set the example on offense and defense that his teammates followed, finishing with 960 passing yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 550 yards and five touchdowns. He also intercepted six passes.

The only remaining question: Where will Van Ackeren play his college football? He knows he'll play somewhere and has an offer from Portland State, but hopes a few more will come his way.

"If I don't go where I want, that's life," he said. "You don't always get what you want. The one thing I want out of this whole thing is to keep playing. It's my life. It's my dream. So, wherever I go I'm just going to play my heart out."

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com