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The John Anderson Award is given annually to the state's top senior linebacker as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after John Anderson, a former Waukesha South standout who went on to star at the University of Michigan and later with the Green Bay Packers.

The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 25 semi-finalists, and six finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners will be announced the week of the state finals.

Josiah Azure is a dominating two-year starter for Bay Port who has put up outstanding numbers once again as a senior. Through ten games, he had 106 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Pirates. The North Dakota State commit missed much of the playoff run but was recently named the Defensive Player of the Year in the FRCC-North.

Riley Fischer was an All-State choice as a junior and has followed it up with another outstanding season as a senior for the co-Classic Eight champion Indians. He has 141 tackles through t13 games this year and could go down as the leading tackler in Mukwonago history. "He has done a great job mentoring our younger players and is definitely the leader of our defense," said head coach Mike Gnewuch.

Blake Fletcher has been a two-way player for Horlick for the last four seasons, and after suffering an early injury last year, he's returned to form for an impressive senior campaign. He played 100% of the snaps on both offense and defense this season, recording 146 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, two sacks, six forced fumbles, and two interceptions for the Rebels and his father, head coach Brian Fletcher. The Air Force commit is number one in his class academically and the student government vice president.

Taylor Schaefer helped Southern Door to an outright Packerland Conference title this season, recording 151 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries for the Eagles. "He makes the opposing team's running backs scared to run up the middle and when he covers passes on the outside, the closing speed is unreal," said head coach Mark Jonas.

Nolan Schopp is a versatile two-way player for Kettle Moraine, second on the team in both rushing and receiving. On defense, he patrols sideline to sideline from his middle linebacker spot and has 111 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, and five sacks on one of the state's best defenses. 

Keith Williams has been a key part of the Catholic Memorial defense for the past three seasons, and has grown into one of the state's top defenders. The senior two-way player has recorded 75 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and six sacks, plus has a Pick-6 for the unbeaten and defending champion Crusaders.

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.