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8-Player Football Awards: Defensive Player of the Year Finalists

11/13/2019, 5:30pm CST
By Travis Wilson

WSN 8-Player FOOTBALL AWARDS

The WSN 8-Player Football Awards were launched in 2016 to recognize the outstanding players participating in reduced player football. Awards presented will be Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. All players are eligible regardless of grade level.

Each year, a preseason Watch List will be produced, then narrowed down to five finalists to be announced after the first week of playoff games. Winners will be announced the week following the 8-Player State Championship.

These awards are not associated with any conference nor the WFCA awards, and are presented independently by WisSports.net.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Gavyn Anton, Siren - One of the strongest players in the state regardless of division, Anton was a beast up front for the Dragons this year. As a defensive lineman, he secured 130 tackles, with 22 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He added a pair of fumble recoveries and a forced fumble as well.

Hunter Bruhn, Phillips - A finalist for the award last season, the senior linebacker was even better in 2019. He totaled 126 tackles, including 100 solo stops. Of those, 13 tackles went for loss with three sacks. He also recovered two fumbles, forced one, and had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a score, all in just nine games.

Levi Jensen, Luck - Jensen is part of a Luck team that has dominated its way back to the 8-Player State Championship Game. The senior linebacker is a three-time finalist for the WSN 8-Player Defensive Player of the Year award and a four-year starter for the Cardinals. As a senior he has 115 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and five interceptions. That gives him 382 career tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and nine interceptions. He was also under consideration for Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for more than 1400 yards with 28 touchdowns.

Jesse Pakulski, Wabeno/Laona - At 6'2", 210- pounds, Pakulski was a tough block for the offensive linemen in player football from his end position. The senior racked up 107 tackles for the co-op program, including 12 tackles for loss and ten sacks. He'd add a pair of forced fumbles and a safety as well.

Joe Stephan, Newman Catholic - While Stephan may be a bit undersized at 6'1", 180-pounds, he's one of the bigger bodies for the Cardinals and more than holds his own up front on defense. The senior two-way standout has 86 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and six sacks heading into the 8-Player State Championship Game this weekend. He has also amassed more than 1300 yards of total offense with 15 touchdowns.

About the Author

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

Tag(s): News Archive  News  Travis Wilson  8-Player Awards