2017 Foothill League Player of the Year
Mykael Wright’s ascension to the top of the Santa Clarita Valley’s prep football peak has been as clear as the Valencia Vikings Foothill League title hopes the past nine seasons. In other words, based on Wright’s improvement each season, the junior wideout/cornerback looked prime for the top league honor in 2017.
And he played like the best player in Santa Clarita all season long. Offensively, Wright dominated at receiver as Connor Downs’ top target, leading the Foothill League in every major category:
- Catches (55)
- Receiving yards (1,317)
- Yards per catch (23.9)
- Receiving touchdowns (18)
Wright even added 341 yards on the ground on over 15 yards per carry for four more scores.
This season, Wright cemented himself as the top wide receiver and deep threat in Santa Clarita, yet it doesn’t nearly tell the story of Wright’s value to Valencia, nor reveal his most natural position on the football field.
That would be on the other side of the ball at cornerback, where Wright is currently a four-star recruit (according to 24/7 Sports) with a growth spurt likely the only thing keeping him from moving into the five-star conversation (he’s currently listed at 5’11).
The junior was the best corner in the league by a healthy margin, evidenced by just how few and far between opposing quarterbacks tested him. Still, he finished second in the league with four interceptions. He routinely made impact plays in run support around the line of scrimmage and was the best tackler and finisher of all the defensive backs in the league.
Mykael capped the 2017 season with the best performance against Oaks Christian in the CIF SS Division 2 championship, gaining 123 total yards, scoring two of the Vikings three touchdowns and adding an interception on defense.
Another season like this one as a senior would likely land Wright back-to-back Player of the Year honors.