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Practices are underway and the first games of the 2024 season are just a week away. We recently completed our Class of 2025 Football Player Rankings, featuring a top 15 at each position, others to watch, and a top 50 overall. We're also working on Conference Previews, which will be wrapped up soon.

Now, it is time to look at some of the top returning statistical leaders from the 2023 season. We'll begin our review with the top passers coming back this year.

Previous Articles:
Top Returning Passers
Top Returning Rushers
Top Returning Receivers
Top Returning Tacklers
Top Returning Sack Artists
Top Returning Interceptors

Grafton made it all the way to the Division 3 state title game last year, and Hilgart’s masterful performance at quarterback was a big reason for the team’s success. He was among state leaders with 2,755 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, completing an impressive 69.9% of his passes (211-of-302). He really got going late in the season, passing for 20 touchdowns in a seven-game stretch from mid-September to early November. He averaged an impressive 9.1 yards per pass attempt, which helped him post a 120.9 passer rating on the year. 

Kallay continues the outstanding quarterback lineage at Franklin, entering his senior campaign as a three-year starter. Last year he threw for 2,457 yards and 22 touchdowns in guiding the Sabers to an unbeaten regular season and Division 1 state runner-up finish. Twice last season he posted perfect passer ratings of 158.3, and he accounting for 367 yards with three touchdowns in a pair of wins over rival Oak Creek.

Platteville claimed an outright SWC title last year, finishing 9-2 overall. Pink was a First team All-Conference selection for the Hillmen. He was among the most prolific passers in the state, completing 195-of-289 passes (67.5%) for 2,457 yards and 27 touchdowns, posting an 113.3 passer rating. 

Viney put up solid numbers last year, throwing for 2,337 yards with 21 touchdowns. He’ll need to cut down on the 13 interceptions, however.

Buckman was one of the most prolific passers in the state last season, throwing for 2,229 yards and 24 touchdowns as a First Team All-Conference pick. He also led the team in rushing.

Sorted by passing yards

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.