Bulldog Kaden Elliss is named UHSAA 3A Most Valuable Player

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Kaden Elliss carries the ball through the snow during the 2013 championship game against Manti at Weber State. Courtesy photo/JMCHS

SALT LAKE CITY — Kaden Elliss, a senior at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, was named the Utah High School Athletic Association Most Valuable Player for the 2013 football season. Elliss played both the quarterback and defensive end positions.

His playmaking ability during crucial situations throughout the season guided Judge Memorial to its first state championship in 30 years, said James Cordova, Judge Memorial head football coach.

"Kaden started out more as an exemplary leader and learned to use his own voice and take charge," Cordova said.

"Elliss is a phenomenal athlete with speed and power. He has very high character traits and is a well-rounded individual who takes his academics as seriously as he takes his athletics," said Brett Allen, Judge Memorial athletic director.

Elliss led the team offensively with 921 yards and 16 scores on the ground. He passed for 714 yards and nine touchdowns, with only four interceptions.

"He actually has an amazing arm, but he was also amazing on defense," said Cordova. "He loves football and had two unbelievable seasons at Judge as quarterback; we just supported him better this year."

Elliss’ outstanding performances included rushing for 119 yards against Manti in the 3A championship game on a snow-covered field, and throwing three touchdowns for 149 yards in the semi-final game against undefeated Grantsville, said Cordova.

"At the start of the season he was called one of the most exciting players in high school football, and he did not disappoint," said Cordova. "He was a threat whether he was running or throwing the ball, and he was successful doing both."

Although Elliss was the starting quarterback, he played about half the game on defense, Cordova said. "He was a standout on defense and most of the people are recruiting him as a defensive player. He is an incredibly hard worker and a dedicated young man; he was a team captain and it’s hard not to be a leader when you are the quarterback."

"I played a lot, but I had a lot of support from my teammates," said Elliss.

It does not matter if Elliss is playing offense or defense, he said, "I just want to play. I began playing flag football in the second grade and contact football in the fifth grade."

Elliss played his freshman year at Skyline High School, but transferred to Judge Memorial for many reasons, he said. "I love Judge; the community is unreal," he said. "I’ve met people who graduated from Judge 30 years ago and they still talk about it with loyalty and memories."

Elliss’ greatest influence in football and life has been his father, who played defensive tackle in the National Football League for 10 years after being recruited by the University of Utah from a 1A school in Colorado.

"I’ve always tried to work hard, and the coaches built us up from an average team to a state championship team this year," Elliss said. "It was my sophomore team and the freshman team behind us that learned through experience and developed into this year’s winning team."

Playing under pressure is something "I enjoy," said Elliss, who also plays goalie in soccer and plays point guard in basketball.

"I love controlling the ball and having the ball in my hands in critical situations, especially when I’m surrounded by good players and teammates that I can trust, like this year on both our football and basketball teams," he said.