DALLAS (AP)— Each time Denton Ryan quarterback Spencer Sanders went down with a major knee injury, he put his mind to getting ready for the next season.

The perseverance helped Sanders cap his career as a four-year starter with the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors high school player of the year award.

Sanders was named Friday in voting by a panel of eight sports writers and editors who cover Texas high school football. He is the ninth quarterback in the award’s 11-year history and second from his school. Ryan’s Scotty Young was the 2009 winner.

Sanders threw for 10,329 yards and had a 46-6 record. He overcame torn anterior cruciate ligaments in each of his knees, the first as a freshman and the second last year in the first of two straight losses to Dallas Highland Park in the Class 5A semifinals.

“I haven’t been around any that have had it on each knee,” coach Dave Henigan said. “Tough break for him and definitely a tough break for our team last year. It’s a credit to him for his ability to bounce back.”

The player of the year ballot included the 10 offensive and defensive players of the year from all five classifications of the AP’s all-state teams.

Sanders was the 5A offensive player of the year after throwing for 2,557 yards with 34 touchdowns and rushing for 740 yards and nine more scores in Ryan’s second straight undefeated regular season. He was the first-team all-state quarterback for the second straight year.

“I don’t turn back and look at my stats,” said Sanders, who had 14,024 yards passing and rushing combined in his career. “I don’t turn back and look at the awards I’ve received.