The Dave Krieg Award is given annually to the state's top senior quarterback as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after former D.C. Everest and Milton College athlete Dave Krieg, who went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL and still ranks in the Top 15 all-time in most passing categories.
The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 25 semi-finalists, and six finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners are announced the week of the state finals.
Dave Krieg Award Finalists:
Ryan Curran, Sun Prairie - Curran is a three-year starter for head coach Brian Kaminski, leading the Cardinals to unbeaten Big Eight Conference titles the last two seasons and a Division 1 state runner-up finish in 2012. During his senior year he's connected on 64% of his passes for 1899 yards and 24 touchdowns through 10 games, with a passer rating of 126.7. In his career, he has 5363 yards and 60 scores, both school records. "He is the ultimate leader," said Kaminski. "His career record as a starter is 31-4. He throws one of the best balls that I have ever seen. He is very intelligent and can make plays with his feet as well."
Matt Ferris, Xavier - It has been a record-setting senior season for Ferris, who bested the state mark for touchdowns in a game with 8 passing scores earlier in the year. In Week 9, his six touchdown passes gave him 41 on the season, eclipsing the previous state record of 40. The Hawks struggled and missed the playoffs last year, but behind Ferris' leadership, are 9-1 heading into Level 2 of the postseason. He has completed 195 of 318 passes for 3025 yards and 41 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 120.6. "Matt gives our team the opportunity to win every game we play," said head coach Dave Hinkens. "He is the most complete and uniquely talented quarterback I have coached in my 20 years of coaching."
Canton Larson, Oconomowoc - Larson has led the Oconomowoc program to an unbeaten regular season, something that hasn't happened at the school in 25 years. In one of the most explosive offenses in the state, he has completed 98 of 171 passes for 1918 yards and 25 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 131.3. He's also rushed for 915 yards and 10 touchdowns. In a wild 84-82 win over Wisconsin Lutheran in Week 6, Larson ran for 198 yards and 4 touchdowns while throwing for 295 yards and 4 scores. "He is a player that handles all aspects of the quarterback position with humbleness and poise," said Coons coach Ryan McMillen.
Sean McGuire, Franklin - Franklin is the latest in a long line of outstanding quarterbacks at Franklin, which includes 2010 Dave Krieg Award winner Lance Baretz. The Sabers well-balanced offense averaged 39 points per game this season, as McGuire completed 64% of his passes for 2053 yards and 18 touchdowns (107.6 passer rating) through 10 games. "Sean has been one of the best leaders we have ever had in my 21 years of coaching," said head coach Louis Brown. McGuire gave a verbal commitment to D1 Western Illinois earlier this season.
Scott Schreiber, Kimberly - After tying for the state lead with 18 touchdowns last season, Schreiber made the move to quarterback this season, where his numbers have been just as impressive. Through 10 games, he's completed 86 of 130 passes for 1467 yards and 21 touchdowns for a passer rating of 137.4. He's added 6 rushing scores. He was recently named the VFA-North Offensive Player of the Year. "He may not have the flashy stats that other quarterbacks have in our state, but Scott did all of this in the regular season while only playing in the second half of two games all year," said head coach Steve Jones.
Andrew Thompson, Hortonville - Thompson is the highest-rated passer of any full-time starter in the state with at least 35 passing attempts, completing 64 of 109 passes for 1658 yards and 23 touchdowns (just 1 interception), for a rating of 146.5. The Polar Bears are a perfect 10-0 through Level 1 of the playoffs, claiming the Bay Conference title. "Andrew has been a great leader to the younger players on the team," said head coach Andy Kolosso. "he worked extremely hard this off-season and it shows on the field."
