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Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award Finalists for top senior running back

11/03/2021, 10:00am CDT
By Travis Wilson

Durand running back Simon Bauer

Dave Krieg Award Finalists

The Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award is given annually to the state's top senior running back as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after former Wausau High School athlete Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, who went on to play for the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan before starring at end in the NFL for 12 seasons. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the National High School Hall of Fame, and later went on to serve as Wisconsin's athletic director from 1969 to 1987.

The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 28 semi-finalists, and six finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners will be announced the week of the state finals.

Simon Bauer, Durand

Durand's Simon Bauer easily leads the state in rushing this year, with over 300 yards more than the next closest player. He has at least 125 yards in every game, with three over 300-yards. In 11 games through Level 3, he has carried the ball 264 times for 2,497 yards with 38 touchdowns for an average of 9.5 yards per attempt. He also has 19 rushing two-point conversions. He is actually a single-wing quarterback, with 475 yards and five touchdowns through the air. He went over 5,000 career yards with 75 rushing scores last week.

Cole Berghorn, Badger

Badger's Cole Berghorn had fewer than 500 career rushing yards coming into the 2021 season, but a rigorous off-season regimen prepared him to breakout in a big way. In 11 games, he carried the ball 220 times for 2,178 yards with 27 touchdowns before going out with an injury in the Badgers' Level 2 loss to Kettle Moraine. "He's a great team leader and one of the hardest workers we've ever had," said Badger head coach Matt Hensler. "He raises the level of all those around him in practice and in games. His commitment to the sport and his love for the game is constantly on display. I can't say enough good things about Cole Berghorn."

Brycen Cashin, Pacelli

Pacelli senior Brycen Cashin is a four-year varsity performer who rushed for more than 1400 yards as a sophomore and senior before exploding for 2,055 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior, when the Cardinals went unbeaten in the regular season and claimed a CWC-Small title. Cashin had at least 100 yards in every game, with a season-high 333 yards in a win over Assumption. Four times he had at least five rushing touchdowns this season. Cashin was the team's leading receiver, catching 12 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns, with another score via punt return. In his four-year career, Cashin ran for 5,281 yards and 72 touchdowns. "Brycen is one of the most talented running backs and football players I have had the privilege of coaching or coaching against," said head coach Drew Nelson. "There have been a few that I have coached against that come to mind that played at the next level (Welch, Groshek, Huettner, etc.) and he is right there next to them."

Daniel Hornacek, Notre Dame

There are sleepers and then there is Daniel Hornacek. He played limited time on varsity as a sophomore, then did not play at all when the Tritons moved their 2020-21 season to the spring. He put in the work to earn the trust of his teammates and coaches, and it paid off in a big way. The Offensive Back of the Year in the FRCC-South, he ran for 1,642 yards with 23 touchdowns on 213 carries in 10 games. He also caught 11 passes for 199 yards and one score. "He is a quiet kid who has always been a sneaky good athlete and has shown the ability to take over a game in any sport he played," said head coach Mike Rader.

Alijah Maher-Parr, Arrowhead

Another breakout performer at the running back spot this season, Arrowhead's Alijah Maher-Parr turned some promising games in 2020 into a huge senior year. In 11 games, he ran the ball 257 times for 2,140 yards with 29 touchdowns, averaging 8.3 yards per carry and 194.5 yards per game in the tough Classic Eight Conference. He was also a threat out of the backfield and in the return game. He had more than 250 rushing yards in each of the team's playoff games, but his signature performance was back in Week 6 in what turned out to be a loss to Muskego. He ran 30 times for 391 yards and six touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 75 yards for a score as part of a three-touchdown fourth quarter as the Warhawks came up just short in a shootout.


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  Senior FB Awards