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Favorites emerging for WFCA Small School Defensive Player of the Year

10/10/2024, 12:45pm CDT
By Travis Wilson

Isaiah Groom of Potosi/Cassville

The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) presents both an Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year award in the state of Wisconsin each season for Large School and Small School, and usually, there are pretty clear candidates that emerge very early in the season. By the mid-point of the season (seven games into a 14-game season including the playoffs), a handful of possible recipients usually stand out and it's a race to the finish to see who will grab the award.

It takes the right combination of name recognition, statistical success, and team success to win the award, which is available to players from any grade but has traditionally gone to a senior. Generally, the player must be from a very successful team that is either unbeaten or a favorite to compete for a state title. However, a few years ago we saw Brown Deer's Zach Baun receive the award in a close vote, despite the fact that his Falcons finished just 8-3 overall and went out in Level 2 of the playoffs. His individual brilliance was too much to pass up however, despite a strong pool of candidates.

Previous Player of the Year articles:

Large School Offensive Player of the Year favorites
Small School Offensive Player of the Year favorites
Large School Defensive Player of the Year favorites

To be clear, the Small School Defensive Player of the Year is presented by the WFCA. However, below is my take on the top candidates right now (in alphabetical order), though there is a long ways to go before the selection is made after Level 4 of the postseason, and more candidates could certainly emerge.

Wyatt Graffin, DL, Columbus - Columbus is undefeated this season and ranked second in Division 4. Graffin has dominated up front on both sides, spending more time in the opposing backfield than the offensive linemen he goes against. He's recorded 36 tackles this year in six games worth of stats, including 15 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. 

Isaiah Groom, LB, Potosi/Cassville - Groom was a First Team All-Conference pick as a linebacker and offensive lineman last season, but this year moved to a new position on offense and is carrying the ball a good amount. Over on defense, he's still dominating as a linebacker, currently second in the state with 99 tackles, which includes a couple for loss, half a sack, and an interception for the unbeaten Potosi/Cassville co-op.

Drew Holzhueter, LB, Cambridge - Holzhueter is the leading tackler for the unbeaten Blue Jays this season with 95 total stops, including 41 solo tackles. He's added three tackles for loss, half a sack, and an interception.

Max Matthias, DL, Two Rivers - Matthias earned WFCA First Team All-State as just a sophomore last season and is once again one of the most prolific defenders in the state. Through seven games he has 86 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss.

Max Ruedebusch, LB, Lake Mills - Ruedebusch is a key part of the passing attack on offense for the L-Cats and really shines on defense as well. The Yale football commit has 30 tackles from his linebacker spot with nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. 

Evrett Tait, DB, Regis - Tait is an elite two-way player for the Ramblers, leading the team in rushing, receiving, and tackling. Committed to North Dakota State, he has 67 tackles with three sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception for the top-ranked Ramblers.

Storm Tiry, DL, Stanley-Boyd - Tiry was an Honorable Mention All-State choice by the WFCA last year and is off to a strong 2024 campaign. He currently boasts 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks for the seventh-ranked Orioles.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

Cole Brenner, DB, Stanley-Boyd
Talan Crist, DL, Darlington
Evan Malueg, LB, Johnson Creek
Noah Moul, LB, Saint Mary’s Springs
Alex Raymond, DB, Cambria-Friesland
Mariano Talamantez, LB, Racine St. Catherine’s


About the Author

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.

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