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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 to be announced after the first week of playoff games. Winners will be announced following the 8-Player State Championship.

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

Tyler Janikowski of Three Lakes/Phelps has been selected as the 2023 8-Player Football Defensive Player of the Year by WisSports.net. 

Janikowski had an incredible breakout senior season as one of the best skill players in the state, accounting for a state-best 1,419 receiving yards, the second-most in 8-player history. He also caught 26 touchdown passes, which is a new state record.

He was a record-setting playmaker on the defensive side of the ball as well. Kaufman led the state with 12 interceptions this season, setting a new 8-player state record. Four of those interceptions he returned for touchdowns. He added 64 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack as well.

Janikowski was the co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Northern Border-8 Conference and a WFCA First Team All-State defensive back. The WFCA recognized him as the 8-Player Football Player of the Year.

Other finalists for the award included Lucas D'Jock of Siren, Troy Duellman of Gilman, Bryce Leffler of Florence, and Bailey Schepp of Oakfield.

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.