The Tim Krumrie Award is given annually to the state's top senior defensive lineman as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards presented by Taco Bell. The award is named after Tim Krumrie, a former Mondovi and University of Wisconsin athlete who would go on to star in the NFL for 12 seasons, including two Pro Bowl appearances.
The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 25 semi-finalists, and five finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners are announced the week of the state finals.
Tim Krumrie Award Finalists:
Trent Denlinger, Cuba City -- Denlinger was an outstanding two-way player for the Cubans this year and could have been an outstanding nominee on either side of the ball. He was a key component of a defense that has allowed just 6 points per game this season with four shutouts. "In 20 years coaching, Trent is by far the best lineman I have ever coached," head coach Guy Kopp said. "Not only for his size and athletic ability but for his knowledge of the game." Denlinger was a First Team All-Conference pick and the Lineman of the Year in the SWAL.
Roland Dunlap, Muskego -- Dunlap is a three-year starter for the Warriors with 27 sacks in his career. Playing a defensive end/outside linebacker spot, Dunlap was such a terror that teams generally ran away from him. After garnering Second Team All-Conference honors last year, he was a First Team pick this season. Dunlap is a very versatile athlete, starting at running back as well and finishing with 10 touchdowns and 11.9 yards per carry, returning kickoffs, and winning the Division 1 189-pound wrestling title last season.
Justin Montanez, Milwaukee Riverside -- "Justin is the best defensive lineman I've ever coached," head coach Patrick Wagner said earlier this year. "He has a great first step and is explosive off the ball; he is strong and is good with his hands. He is 6'2 3/4 and about 260." That combination of size and athletic ability resulted in First Team All-Conference recognition last year and a likely First Team spot this season as well. Riverside allowed just 11.8 points per game this season, with many of them coming when the first team defense was out of the game.
Trevor Peterson, Marshfield -- Peterson has been one of the most disruptive players in the entire state this year, using his outstanding size, athletic ability, and instinct to take over games from his defensive end position. He was a First Team All-Conference choice in the VFA-South and the league's Defensive Lineman of the Year. In seven conference games Peterson recorded 4 fumble recoveries, with three of them going for touchdowns. He also returned an interception for a touchdown for the Tigers. Two of those scores came in a Week 8 win over Menasha when he terrorized the Blue Jays with a two-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown then returned fumble 75 yards for a score later in the game.
Nick Severson, Waunakee -- Severson was a First Team All-Conference choice as a junior last season and will likely repeat when league awards are voted on next week. The Warriors are unbeaten once again, and he is a big reason they are allowing just 7.6 points per game in 2011.
Tag(s): News Travis Wilson Senior FB Awards
