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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 after the regular season. Winners will be announced the week after the 8-Player Championship.

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

Carter Janesch, Wabeno/Laona - Janesch can be a one-man big play for the Rebels, who are into the state semi-finals this week. He's thrown for 1,556 yards and 26 touchdowns this season, averaging 9.4 yards per attempt. He's added 699 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. In a win over Goodman/Pembine earlier this year, he threw for three touchdowns, ran for three, and caught a score.

Conner Krach, Newman Catholic - Krach was a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Year award in 8-player last year when he helped the Cardinals to a state title. He's got the team undefeated into the state semi-finals again this year, completing 77-of-119 passes (64.7%) for 20 touchdowns with just one interception. That's good for a 142.6 passer rating despite a number of blowout victories. He's added 691 yards and 15 scores on the ground as well.

Kolby Lancaster, Belmont - Lancaster does damage with his legs and his arm for the Braves, going over 1200 yards on the ground and through the air. Heading into the state semi-finals, he's completed 95-of-162 passes (58.6%) for 1,227 yards and 16 touchdowns. He's rushed for 1,457 yards and 27 touchdowns on 234 carries.

Sam Marquardt, Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas - Marquardt leads the state in rushing heading into the state semi-finals, rushing for 1,460 yards and 24 touchdowns on 187 carries, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt. He's gotten better as the season has gone along, going for 1,044 yards and 16 touchdowns in the last five games. He's also the team's leading passer with 477 yards and nine scores through the air.

Nick Webster, Siren - Webster has helped the Dragons make the state semi-finals this season with an undefeated record to this point. He's thrown for 1,561 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 61.2% of his passes. He's also rushed for 1,199 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year. In his four-year career, he's over 7000 total yards of offense, accounting for 92 offensive touchdowns.

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.