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2018 Prospects

Zak Donato Leads Selah To Perfect Season So Far

Zak Donato Leads Selah To Perfect Season So Far

Story by Coach Demian Walter- Eastside Analyst for NWPR

I love seeing a starting quarterback who is also a starter on the defense as well. Those are the kind of tough football players I respect.  Zak Donato of Selah, WA. fits that mold. Donato is one of the better TWO-WAY PLAYERS in the Central Washington region. The 6’ 3” 200lb. Class of 2018 quarterback and free safety from Selah High School, was the Offensive Player of the Year in the CWAC conference and he was also voted First Team All-Conference as a Free Safety this season. Donato gives credit to others for his accolades, “it was a great honor to be named Offensive Player of the Year in our Conference and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches.”  Zak has put up some great all-around statistics so far this season, in only 8 games of action, amassing 33 total touchdowns, 237 PASSING YARDS PER GAME on 127-199 (64% completion percentage) and 56 RUSHING YARDS PER GAME (on 8.1 yards per carry average). On defense, as a free safety, Zak recorded 5 interceptions to his credit.  Donato also excels in the classroom as he takes academics just as serious as he does athletics, holding a 3.55 GPA, with a 1180 two-part SAT score.

The Selah High School football team finished the regular season UNDEFEATED and advanced to the Class 2A Washington State Playoffs for the first time since 1983. What’s more important is that Selah won their first-round playoff game 35-0 over Black Hills HS to advance to the quarterfinals. Zak had a top-notch performance from his quarterback position, as he had a remarkable 30 completions on 36 attempts for 339 yards passing and two touchdowns in the win.  Pretty impressive stats from a guy who is playing his FIRST season at quarterback.  The kid is literally just scratching the surface as to what kind of a QB he can be down the road.  Donato stated, “Our season has been all about focusing on the process and on our team. We are always striving to improve and get sharper with every practice. Being able to win our first round of the state tournament 35-0, showed how our hard work is paying off. We know the importance of putting in the work off the field if you want to see the results on the field.”

We have heard many reports from college coaches who want to recruit players who are multi-sport athletes in high school. Well, Donato fits that mold to perfection. Not only is Zak a great football player, he is also an OUTSTANDING basketball player as well.  Zak is a three year ALL Conference selection in basketball, with two years as First Team All-Conference as a shooting guard for Selah HS, who advanced all the way to the Washington State Tournament Championship Title Game last season. I watched that State Title game last year vs. Foss High School of Tacoma, WA. and in that high-profile game, Zak was absolutely a player who shined with the very best of them on the court that night. There is a great chance that Selah High School will be right back in the State Title Game this upcoming basketball season with Zak as one of the main forces on the team again.

Zak shared with me some of his thoughts on being a top-level Two-Sport Athlete, “some of my best attributes that I feel I bring to the team is that I am a very competitive person and I have a strong will to win. I have also learned that doing the little things well is what makes the big results possible. I have gained many great leadership traits by having to overcome all sorts of adversity during the basketball and football seasons.”

After getting to know Zak and his father Devon over the last 5 months, I can verify that hard work and perseverance is a priority for this family and this young man possesses the leadership and toughness that I have always looked for in an athlete.

Zak’s senior season highlight film (I have attached the link to his hudl highlight film below) is full of big plays in a variety of ways.  Zak is a player who impacts the game in many aspects. He gets the job done as a pocket passer and is also very dangerous with his feet as he picks up great yardage running the ball.  Zak also is a great free safety who controls the back end and does a great job coming down hill in run support as well.

I think over the next two and a half months there are going to be some college coaches who are going to find Donato a player that could help their football program in many ways. At 6’3” and 200lbs and a frame to maybe put on more weight I think there might be a few positions a staff could consider him for. Obviously, quarterback is a potential position, I also wonder could Donato play linebacker at the next level? Could he transition to wide receiver at that size? Intriguing possibilities for this young man.

If you are an on a college coaching staff and you are looking for a player who is a great student, a great MULTI sport athlete, a WINNER, who is JUST SCRATCHING the surface of what he can become as a football player, with potential oozing from him then Zak Donato is a guy that deserves your consideration.  

Here is a link to the hudl highlight film for Zak Donato: http://www.hudl.com/v/28JUWP

 

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.

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