The Kevin Stemke Award is presented annually to the state's top senior kicker or punter as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards presented by Taco Bell. The award is named after former Green Bay Preble and University of Wisconsin standout Kevin Stemke. At Wisconsin, Stemke was presented with the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter and holds UW records for highest punting average in a career (43.5) and total punting yards (10,660).
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.
Kevin Stemke Award Finalists:
Casey Bednarski, Oconomowoc - Also an outstanding receiver with more than 700 yards and 9 touchdowns, Bednarski possesses a big leg that has allowed him to be a weapon on special teams as well. He averaged 42.4 yards per punt and has connected on 11 of 12 field goals this year, including a 55-yarder in a Level 1 playoff game. He's 49 of 50 on extra points. "Casey has energized this team and school with his right leg and has been a huge weapon for us," said head coach Ryan McMillen. "Casey can execute every type of kick or punt, and has done so over the course of the year."
Emmit Carpenter, Ashwaubenon - Carpenter is a difference-maker on all four special teams for the Jaguars, as in addition to the team's kicker and punter, he also returns both kicks and punts. On kickoffs, the opponent's average starting field position is inside the 25-yard line. "Simply put, in my 28 years of coaching, Emmit is the best kicker I've ever had," said head coach Mark Jonas.
Colin Downing, Whitefish Bay - An outstanding punter and kicker for the Blue Dukes and head coach Jim Tietjen, Downing accepted a scholarship offer from Iowa State earlier this year. He connected on 25 of 25 extra points in the regular season, averaged 55.4 yards per kickoff, and 43.2 yards per punt.
Jake Dragoo, Madison Edgewood - Dragoo finished 12 of 15 on field goals this season, including a 50-yarder into the wind at DeForest earlier this year. For his career he connected on 26 of 33 field goals. A three-year player at the position, he made six game-tying or game-winning field goals in his career while also serving as one of the team's main wide receivers.
Ian Gallagher, Big Foot - A three-time First Team All-Conference selection in the Rock Valley-South, Gallagher holds several state records. Last year he made 84 extra points to set a new state mark, and this season set the career record for most made extra points, with 192 heading into Level 2 of the playoffs. He's also an outstanding punter, although the Chiefs haven't had to use him much in that capacity.
