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 10 p.m. on Tuesdays.

The regular season has officially ended throughout the country in Division 2 and 3 football. Playoffs begin this weekend, which means many Wisconsin high school alumni have played their final snaps at the collegiate level.

Let’s start this week’s edition of the round-up with the biggest matchup in the state as 4-1 in conference play UW-Oshkosh faced off with 5-0 in conference play UW-Whitewater; first place in the WIAC standings on the line. UW-Oshkosh relied heavily on their defense throughout, as the Titans defense forced five interceptions in their 27-20 win over the Warhawks. All five of those pics came via alumni. Logan Heise of Wausau East, Kyle Scharenbroch of Appleton East, Connor Zirpel of Kimberly, and Kollyn Beyer & Nick Noethe of Mount Horeb hauled in the pics. Special teamer Jaydon Haag of Sparta made two field goals of 40 yards and boot a season-best 67 yard punt. Jaydon was named the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

In other WIAC action, UW-Stout picked up its third conference win with a 45-17 win over UW-Eau Claire. A pair of Spring Valley High School grads dominated on each side of the ball. Quarterback Sean Borgerding threw for 239 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Jed Schlegel recorded five tackles and picked off three passes for the Blue Devils. Jed was named the WIAC Defensive Player of the Week.

If you missed last Thursday’s Browns-Steelers matchup, I’m sure you heard about the helmet swing of the season. What was not mentioned enough, and par the course was Joe Schobert’s play for the Cleveland defense. The former Waukesha West standout had a team high ten tackles; a stat he is fifth in the NFL in. He also added a sack, two quarterback hits, four pass deflections, and two interceptions. Joe may be one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL today.

Another underrated player in the NFL, and should be pro-bowler is Denver Bronco’s defensive lineman Shelby Harris. Harris, a Homestead grad, showed his worth this past weekend despite a 27-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. From the defensive tackle position, Shelby had five tackles and a career best three sacks. He also added a forced fumble.

Brandon Brooks had himself quite the memorable week in the NfL last week. He began the week by signing a four year extension that saw him become the highest paid guard in annual salary in the NFL. Brandon, a Milwaukee Riverside grad, then started his 100th career game in the NFL, 58 of those being with his current team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hunter Luepke has spent a majority of his time lead blocking for the first-ranked North Dakota State Bison from his fullback position. This past weekend, the redshirt freshman from Spencer High School secured his first ever rushing touchdown in a 49-14 win over South Dakota. Hunter wasn’t done there, as he also secured his first ever receiving score in the win.

The Martin Luther College combo of Austin DeNoyer and Joshuah Kren have been on the receiving end of great blocking all year, as each have racked up over 1,000 yards rushing. In a 53-20 win over Crown College, DeNoyer, a Lakeside Lutheran grad rushed the ball 15 times for 217 yards and three scores. Kren, a Wisconsin Lutheran alum, carried the ball nine times for 218 yards and two scores, adding a receiving score. Joshuah was named the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Micah Otto of Watertown Luther Prep went two for two on 40 yard field goals en route to being named the Special Teams Player of the Week in the UMAC.

Javaree Jackson recorded a career first in as Wyoming suffered a 26-21 loss to Utah State in Mountain West action last weekend. Jackson, a Wauwatosa West grad, sacked a quarterback and also recorded his first ever interception from the defensive line position.

Augustana has gotten steady production all year from Germantown High School grad Kyle Theis. In a 45-21 win over Southwest Minnesota State, Kyle had a season high 13 tackles, including two and a half for loss. Kyle who was a Northern Sun-South All-Conference Honorable Mention selection last year, is second on the team with 66 tackles on the season.

Michigan Tech has been without its starting quarterback the last few weeks as Will Ark has been sidelined with an injury. Will, an Ashwaubenon grad, returned in the season finale to lead the Huskies to a 34-21 win over Northwood. He went 20 of 26 through the air for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Will was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

Lastly, the Iowa Hawkeyes have never been cheered on more in the state of Wisconsin than they were last week as they faced off with the undefeated and seventh ranked Minnesota Gophers. Quarterback Nate Stanley of Menomonie High School, threw for 173 yards and two scores to lead the Hawkeyes to a 23-19 home win. Defensively, Kristian Welch of Iola-Scandinavia had a team high 11 tackles and added a sack.

The Athlete of the Week is sponsored by PlayInTheDells.com. It highlights the players that have "made a splash" in the world of high school sports each week. If you have a nominee for Athlete of the Week please send it to Colton Wilson. 

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