Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Wisconsin Sports Network and WisSports.net are happy to announce Kimberly's Blair Mulholland as the 2015 recipient of the Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award as the most outstanding senior running back in Wisconsin, part of the WSN Senior Football Awards.

Mulholland has been a three-year varsity standout for head coach Steve Jones, going for at least 1200 yards each season as the Papermakers are undefeated during that stretch.

Despite missing a game this year, he has 264 carries for 2,622 yards (9.9 ypc) and 43 touchdowns, including a 41-carry, 404-yard, 6-touchdown performance in the state semi-final win over Marquette. For his career, he has 5,472 rushing yards with 91 touchdowns, earning VFA-North Offensive Player of the Year and WFCA All-State recognition as a senior.

“His combination of speed, power, and physicality make him a dynamic playmaker,” said Jones.

Mulholland will look to lead the Papermakers to a third straight state title this weekend. In two previous championship appearances, he has 243 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has given a verbal commitment to South Dakota State, but still entertaining offers from D1-FBS schools.

Finalists for the award were Mulholland, Evander Craft of Saint Francis, Trevor Heit of Pepin/Alma, Justin Maratik of Fond du Lac, Brandon Thull of Kewaskum, and Toren Young of Monona Grove.

Past winners of the award include Appleton North's Steve Lichtfuss (2009), Kenosha Bradford's Melvin Gordon (2010), Waunakee's Leo Musso (2011), Big Foot's Mason Dixon (2012), Saint Mary's Springs' Ike Floyd (2013), and Waunakee's Troy Laufenberg.

The award is named after "Crazylegs" Hirsch, a legendary athlete from Wausau High School who later starred at both the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan. Hirsch spent 12 seasons in professional football, including nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams who moved him to end. His 1951 season is one of the greatest receiving years in NFL history. He caught 66 passes for a record 1495 yards and 17 touchdowns. The yardage mark wasn’t broken for 19 years while his 17 touchdowns tied the record and wasn’t broken until 1984. He later served as the Wisconsin athletic director from 1969 to 1987, overseeing a revival of UW athletics. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Hirsch passed away in 2004. 

The voting panel for the WSN Senior Football Awards consisted of:  Travis Wilson, WSN General Manager and Head Football Writer;  Norbert Durst, WSN Content Manager; Dennis Semrau, ESPN Madison; Justin Hull, WSCO The Score 95.3 in Appleton; JR Radcliffe, NOW Newspapers; Dan Barwick, WSN Contributor; Jason Cox, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram; Fan Vote