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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 15 semi-finalists, and five finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners are announced the week of the state finals.
 
Dave Krieg Award Finalists:

Brayton Duin, Onalaska - Duin was having a very nice year, then exploded starting in Week 6, throwing for more than 500 yards in three straight games, the first time it has been done in state history. In helping the Hilltoppers to an outright Mississippi Valley Conference title, he completed 213 of 337 passes (63.2%) with 3,427 yards and 44 touchdowns (10 INT) in 11 games, good for a passer rating of 124.3. Not bad for a guy who was competing for the starting job all the way up to the first game of the year, sharing time to open the season. "He has the strongest arm of any quarterback I've worked with and is incredibly smart," said head coach Tom Yashinsky. "We do not tell him who to throw to; we teach him concepts and coverages and he gets the ball to the right guy.

Ben Nienhuis, Oconomwoc - Nienhuis started his career on the freshman reserve team, but in just two years, his hard work vaulted him to not only the starting position on varsity, but WFCA All-State. He followed that up with an even better senior season, leading the Raccoons to a share of the Little Ten title, completing 191 of 313 passes (61%) for 2,902 yards and 29 touchdowns, with just one interception. His 121.1 passer rating was outstanding, and he added seven rushing touchdowns as well this season. 

Quinn Pierner, Bay Port - Pierner has been incredibly efficient all season, sporting a 149.3 quarterback rating as the Pirates finished the regular season undefeated and advanced to Level 3. He completed 141 of 183 passes for a mind-boggling 77% completion percentage, with 2,106yards and 26 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He's also the team's leading rusher, carrying the ball 170 times for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. "Our offense started and finished with Quinn," said head coach Gary Westerman. "He is a tough, physical playmaker who helped us average 39.4 points per game."

Danny Vanden Boom, Kimberly - The Papermakers are riding a 55-game winning streak, with Vanden Boom powering the offense once again. After leading the team to a Division 1 state title last year, he's completed 134 of 198 passes (67.7%) for 2,020 yards and 29 touchdowns (4 INT) this season for a passer rating of 132.2, despite limited attempts in a number of blowout victories. "He is the type of player that makes the people around him better," said head coach Steve Jones. "Danny represents what a student-athlete should represent. He participates in three sports and currently has a 4.25 GPA."

Josh Weiss, Cedar Grove-Belgium - Weiss is putting up video game numbers throwing the football this year for the Rockets, who have advanced to the Division 5 state title game. Not only has he completed 71.1% of his passes (217 of 305), he's averaging an unheard of 12.6 yards per attempt, with a new state record 54 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions. On the season he has 3,848 passing yards and a 139.4 passer rating through 13 games. "What really separates him out from others is his pure knowledge and smarts of the game," said head coach Dan Schreurs. "He is always scanning the defense the play before for how they are aligned and what and who should run what route."