Scott Gunther – Olympia High School – Football

131-14. The Olympia Bears have steamrolled their opponents over the first three weeks of the season. And after a lost sophomore season, Oly running back Scott Gunther has exploded back onto the scene and has earned the first OlySports.com and Tags Awards & Specialties Premier Player award.

Gunther played in just one game in 2014 after a pair of injuries, including a broken collarbone in a week three game at South Kitsap. But fully healthy for 2015, Gunther has been outstanding, rushing for 521 yards and nine touchdowns in three games.

“It’s the O-line and the receivers,” says Gunther, quick to credit his teammates for his early success. “I get past the first level and the receivers are making key blocks all over. I’m the lucky running back right now.”

With resounding wins over Ferris at Husky Stadium, Capital in the annual Spaghetti Bowl and South Kitsap in the 4A Narrows opener, Olympia has moved into the #10 spot in the Associated Press poll and looks poised to challenge Gig Harbor and Bellarmine for the top spot in the league.

“Our motto as a team is ‘ready for all, yield to none’. We treat every team the same each week in practice.”

This week, the Bears face Timberline in Lacey and look to improve to 2-0 in the Narrows.

“They have some great athletes, it should be a really good game.”

*** About the OlySports.com and Tags Awards & Specialties Premier Player award: The Premier Player award will be handed out every two weeks to an high school athlete from Thurston County high schools. Brandon Sparks of OlySports.com will choose each award and all inquires can be directed to him at olysportsblog@gmail.com. Coaches can also email Brandon with nominations. The award will be picked every other Monday and awarded on Wednesday or Thursday throughout the school year.