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

Many high school football standouts in Wisconsin go on to big things at the college level and in the pros, and this is our spot to recognize those athletes each week and help you keep up with what is going down on some of your favorite players from the past. If you have alumni news, please send it to Colton Wilson by 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Last week, a pair of Kenosha Bradford alumns had great starts to their sophomore seasons in the NFL. This week they continued that momentum. Melvin Gordon had his first career 100 yard game, and a touchdown, in the San Diego Chargers’ 38-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Trae Waynes recorded his first career interception Sunday night to help the Minnesota Vikings defeat rival Green Bay.

A few other milestones were reached around the NFL for Wisconsin athletes over the weekend. Doug Free (Manitowoc Lincoln) started his 100th game while Travis Frederick (Big Foot) started his 50th straight game in the Dallas Cowboys’ 27-23 victory over the Washington Redskins. Also, Alex Erickson (Darlington) recorded his first NFL catch for the Cincinnati Bengals in their 16-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s players of the week were again headlined by a few in-state recruits. Running back Dylan Hecker (Winneconne) rushed twice for 76 yards and a score in UW-Oshkosh’s 68-7 win over Finlandia University to win Offensive Player of the Week. UW-Stout’s placekicker Drew Pearson (Wausau West) earned Special Teams Player of the Week, going 3 for 3 in field goals, with a career high 52 yards.

In Northern Sun play, Ty Dennis (Burlington) caught 2 passes for 101 yards and a score in Minnesota State Mankato’s 45-12 win over St. Cloud State University. In other league play, Minnesota State Moorehead’s Joe Rademacher (St. Croix Falls) recorded his first career interception against Upper Iowa University.

North Dakota State, which has multiple Wisconsin athletes and coaches on its roster, picked up an impressive 23-21 win over #13 Iowa this past weekend. Eau Claire Regis’ Cam Pederson kicked the game-winning, 37 yard field goal as time expired to seal the win. Grant Morgan (Oshkosh North), Brad Ambrosius (West De Pere), Nate Tanguay (Mukwonago), and Colin Conner (Iowa-Grant) made the push in the trenches on both sides of the ball to help the Bison. For the Hawkeyes, freshman quarterback Nate Stanley (Menomonie) made another appearance, throwing for 45 yards.

Elsewhere in division 1 play, R.J. Shelton (Beaver Dam) had 8 catches for 80 yards and a score to help #12 Michigan State's victory over #18 Notre Dame. In a Mid-American game, tight end Shane Wimann (Wisconsin Dells) recorded 3 catches, including 2 touchdowns, in Northern Illinois’ loss to San Diego State.

A few other athletes recorded career firsts over the weekend. Freshman offensive tackle (Bryan Beck) had his first career start for Florida Atlantic in their loss to Kansas State. Also, quarterback Bruce Schroeder (Appleton North) notched his first career victory in Hope College’s 57-28 win over Concordia-Chicago. He went 5/8 for 35 yards through the air, while rushing 21 times for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Midwest Conference announced defensive back Tyler Jensen (Waunakee) as a top performer of the week. He had 4 tackles and 2 interceptions in St. Norbert College’s 50-3 win over Knox College. Beloit College was helped to its 72-17 victory over Grinnell College by a few Wisconsin athletes. Mike Nolden (Belleville) had 7 catches for 129 yards and a score, while Mason Dixon (Big Foot) carried the ball 12 times for 132 yards and a score.