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The Tim Krumrie Award is given annually to the state's top senior defensive lineman as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after Tim Krumrie, a former Mondovi and University of Wisconsin athlete who would go on to star in the NFL for 12 seasons, including two Pro Bowl appearances.
 
The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 26 semi-finalists, and six finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners will be announced the week of the state finals.

Connor Akey has been a dominant force up front for Wisconsin Rapids this season, as the Red Raiders scored a share of the Valley Football Association title. He was recently named not only a unanimous First Team All-Conference selection in the VFA but the VFA Defensive Player of the Year as well. He recorded 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.

Sam Coufal has been one of the most disruptive linemen in the state this year, recording 104 tackles from his defensive line spot. That includes an incredible 39 tackles for loss with 8.5 sacks. "Sam is the most dominant lineman I have ever coached," said head coach Mathew McDonnell. "He has the best motor and went up against some of the very best offensive linemen in the state. He has turned into a tremendous leader for us this year as well."

Evan Herrmann played sparingly last season for the Chargers but has been one of the breakout seniors in the state this year. It started in the off-season, when Herrmann had an outstanding track season and worked hard in the weight room, gaining confidence. He has exploded onto the scene as a senior, with 71 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He's drawn considerable college attention with offers from Vanderbilt, Ohio, and Wyoming.

Turner's Brent Hoppe was among state leaders with 42 tackles for loss and 14 sacks as a junior, and has followed that up with another outstanding season in 2022. The Central Michigan recruit has 95 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and an interception this year. 

Despite constant double teams and teams running away from him, Hudson's Will McDonald has continued to make an impact all season, leading the Raiders with 61 tackles and eight sacks in the regular season. McDonald gave a commitment to Wisconsin as a preferred walk-on earlier this year.

Union Grove's Noah Moris is one of the most explosive, powerful defensive linemen in the state. From his d-line position, he led the Broncos with 91 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles. "It was a weekly occurrence that opposing coaches would tell us after the game that Noah was one of the most dominant at the position that they have seen," said head coach Craig McClelland. Moris was also a starter at offensive tackles for Union Grove.

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.