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All-Journal offense: Fulton rushes into record books

Photo illustration by Steve Muscatello Wabasso’s Mitchell Fulton was named the All-Journal Offensive Player of the Year.

WABASSO — Mitchell Fulton made waves in new ways this year that has been almost unseen in the area for some time.

Fulton had an outstanding season, rushing for 2,248 yards — which ranks 19th all time in all classes in state history — and 31 touchdowns on 248 carries, averaging 9.1 yards per carry and 172.9 per game in helping lead the Rabbits to a semifinal finish in the Class A state playoffs. These accolades, along with being the only finalist in Class A for this year’s Mr. Football award, were more than enough to earn Fulton the distinguished honor of 2016 All-Journal Offensive Player of the Year, as unanimously voted by member of The Journal sports staff.

After last season’s disappointing finish in the section semifinals, Fulton morphed himself into an every-down back, managing to outdo his many talented predecessors in big ways.

“He’s really put himself in this position through his hard work during his entire career,” Wabasso coach Joe Kemp said. “He’s been an avid lifter since he was young all the way through the program, he’s really trained himself to get into this position.”

Time and time again, weightlifting has proven to be one of the most effective ways to avoid injury at all stages of athletics. Fulton managed to stay healthy throughout the season because of the time he invested in the weight room, which managed to put Wabasso in a position to get over the hump this year.

However, Fulton was not the only reason Wabasso was able to go far this year. With an experienced and well-coached offensive line and a bruising fullback in Jared Welch to block for him, Fulton took advantage of any running back’s dream blocking scheme.

“I was so successful because of my teammates,” Fulton said. “They blocked for me and all I had to do was run through the holes and catch balls. That was pretty easy when they’re doing all the work for me.”

Still, becoming an every-down back in an era where teams at all levels utilize multiple running backs is an impressive feat. Fulton was always capable of making plays in the past, but there was something different about him this year.

“He’s always had the potential, but we just hadn’t seen it before,” Kemp said. “I never envisioned this type of year, for as big as it turned out, but I thought he’d be a 1,000-yard-type rusher.”

Fulton’s big year allowed him to eclipse the 3,000-yard mark for his career, finishing with 3,249 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns.

As a team, Wabasso had a breakthrough season, during which it ended Minneota’s 34-game winning streak in the Section 5A semifinals before blowing out No. 3-ranked BOLD in the section finals to reach state for the first time since 2006.

This year’s state playoff berth for Wabasso, however, was not Fulton’s first taste of the state spotlight. Fulton is a two-time state qualifier for the 100-meter dash in track and field and was also a member of the Wabasso/Red Rock Central wrestling team that finished sixth at the Class AA state duals last season.

Because of his experience at state events in the past, being in the spotlight did not really faze him this year when all eyes were finally on Wabasso.

“Going to state in those other sports really helped me stay calm because I’ve been up against tough competition before,” Fulton said. “I know what it’s like and I was prepared for it.

“I’ve been there, I know how much brighter the lights are and how much louder the fans are. I just got used to it.”

Fulton’s older brother, T.J., was a playmaker as the Rabbits’ slotback three seasons ago, with accolades that included a game-winning touchdown catch against Martin County West.

T.J. now plays for Division III powerhouse St. John’s University, but Mitchell Fulton somehow outdid his older brother and will be aiming to go Division II or maybe even Division I.

“T.J. was such an incredible gamer — when it mattered the most, T.J. made big plays,” Kemp said. “Mitchell was coming along and showing that he was a steady player and this year was when he took that next step to stardom, I believe.”

As far as college goes, Fulton wants to continue his career but is still undecided on a school. He has gotten looks from numerous Division III and II schools, but it remains to be seen where he will sign. Some of the top schools on his list are Northern State, Augustana and Morningside, but he said he is still rather early in the decision-making process.

But what is certain, however, is that this past season will always be special for Fulton and his teammates.

“We tied our best finish for Wabasso,” Fulton said. “It’s pretty special. It was just a great season.”

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