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.
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.
Cody Blicharz, Wisconsin Heights - Blicharz was named a First Team All-Conference choice and the Ridge & Valley-8 Offensive Player of the Year after his phenomenal senior season. He was second in the state with 1,655 rushing yards on 133 carries with 26 touchdowns plus 25, two-point conversions. He also caught 20 passes for 480 yards and eight scores and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, giving a state-record nine in his career.
Brody Feldman, Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah - Feldman was a dynamic, multi-dimensional weapon for the Resorters this season. He was among the top receivers in the state with 64 catches for 1,209 yards and 19 touchdowns. Feldman also ran for 503 yards and nine scores and threw three touchdown passes. He also returned a punt for a game-winning touchdown, handled punting duties, and recorded 118 tackles on defense.
Mason Gay, Owen-Withee - The top running back on perhaps the top team in the state, Gay rushed for 1,386 yards and 25 touchdowns on just 113 carries, averaging more than 12 yards per carry. He added 14, two-point conversions as well with more than 200 return yards.
Jonah Koon, Abundnat Life/St. Ambrose - Abundant Life/St. Ambrose was technically an Independent team this year after dropping back down to 8-player, and the team was not eligible for the playoffs. Still, in nine games this year, senior quarterback Jonah Koon etched his name in the record books, setting a new 8-player state record with 3,201 passing yards, tying the record for most touchdowns with 45. He completed 67% of his passes, averaged 356 yards per game, and had a passer rating of 145.9. Koon also ran for seven touchdowns this season.
Gannen Reynolds, Siren - Reynolds helped the Dragons to a share of the North Central-West title and a WIAA playoff appearance. He was third in the state with 1,898 passing yards, throwing 29 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Reynolds added 488 rushing yards and seven more scores on the ground.
Jared Schultz, Northwood/Solon Springs - What Schultz has done at Northwood/Solon Springs has been nothing short of amazing. As a three-year starter at quarterback, he's posted at least 1300 passing yards and at least 1200 rushing yards each season. As a senior he's been at his best, leading the state in rushing with 2,015 yards (sixth most in state history) and 35 touchdowns to go with 28, two-point conversions (a new state record). He caught a touchdown and returned three kickoffs for scores as well. He finished his career with 9,372 combined passing and rushing yards with 138 combined 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.
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