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Below are finalists for our first annual WSN Senior Football Awards. 



Tim Krumrie Award – Outstanding Senior Defensive Lineman/Linebacker



Darren Anderson, Waunakee – The catalyst of a Warrior defense that only gave up 6.6 point per game so far this season, Anderson is an active linebacker that is involved in what seems like every play. A perfect example of how Anderson has been a game changer is in week 5 against conference rival DeForest when he forced three fumbles in the second half of a 28-7 win. 



Mike Hardy, Kimberly – The Iowa recruit has been so tough at defensive end for the Papermakers that teams consistently run away from his side of the field, prompting the Kimberly coaching staff to play him at Nose Tackle for a number of snaps. Stats-wise, through eight games he had 41 tackles, five sacks, 10 TFL s and 2 forced fumbles. 



Cody Seibel, Kewaskum – A tackle machine, the 6-2, 210 linebacker has well over 100 of them on the season. He has had two 18 tackle games on the season and also had a big interception in a 14-0 win over West Bend West. Coach Jason Pittman had this to say, "Cody Seibel is the best instinctive linebacker we have had here. He seldom makes bad reads when reading his keys and going to make a play."



Lucas Speaker, Homestead – A speedy linebacker with big hit ability Speaker led a Highlander defense that surrendered only 8.1 points per game this season. Coach Dave Keel had this to say about him, "Lucas leads our team in tackles from his inside LB position. He meets the running back in the hole or runs sideline to sideline as needed." Speaker was the only junior on the 1st Team WFCA All-State list last year.



John Steiner, St. Mary s Springs – Steiner is a 5 11", 165 lb Nose Tackle. So what is he doing on this list? Well, he has anchored a Springs defense that has given up 5.5 points per game this season and a lot of that credit can be directed at the havoc that Steiner causes. He is able to use his quickness to play a lot of the game in the backfield of the other team, accounting for 14 TFL s and 8 sacks through 8 games.



Marcus Trotter, Marquette – Plays for one of the most talented defenses in the state and leads the team in tackles. Through 9 games he had over 90 tackles, 12 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. Coach Dick Basham had this to say about Marcus, "He is very athletic and closes on the ball as fast as anyone we have ever had. His ability to read and react puts him a different category than most linebackers"





Jim Leonhard Award – Outstanding Senior Defensive Back



Colten Heagle, Kimberly - Heagle teamed with Krumrie Award Finalist Mike Hardy and semi-finalist Matt Craggs to form one of the most impressive and talented defenses in the state. Through the first eight games of the season, Heagle had racked up 74 tackles, 11 pass break-ups, and 1 interception from his safety position. Headed to North Dakota State, Heagle also became the Papermakers primary running back late in the year. It was on defense where he made his name though. "Colten is without question the best safety we have had," Coach Steve Jorgensen said. He's the complete package; he can cover like a corner and stop the run like a linebacker."



Adam Kaalberg, DeForest - While the Badger-North all-conference team for this year hasn't been released yet, you can bet Kaalberg will be on there. He was a unanimous 1st team selection last year and has the Norskies defense looking strong again this year, allowing just 8.3 points per game. Adam was an honorable mention all-area selection by both the Capital Times and Wisconsin State Journal last year and is ranked as the #6 defensive back prospect in the state by WSN recruiting expert Marlin Lee.



Justin Sinz, Edgar - Sinz was under strong consideration for the Dave Krieg Award (quarterbacks) as well as the Jim Leonhard Award. Sinz is a big reason the Edgar defense has given up just 13 points....all season. A sure tackler from his safety position, Sinz is solid in pass coverage as well. He picked off a pair of passes in the conference season, returning one for a touchdown. Sinz repeated on the all-conference team at defensive back again this year, and was an honorable mention All-State selection by the coaches association last season.



Michael Trotter, Marquette - Trotter is a three-year starter for Marquette, which is very rare for Coach Dick Basham's program. A terror everywhere he goes on the football field, Michael plays sideline-to-sideline and is outstanding against both the run and pass. Through nine regular season games the Wisconsin commit had 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 12 pass break-ups, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Coach Basham sums it up best, "In my 38 years at Marquette, I haven't had anyone better at that position."



Mike Walker, Big Foot - Much like Justin Sinz, Walker could have been a finalist at multiple positions. While his stats on offense may look better, Big Foot Coach Rodney Wedig heaps praise on Walker's defensive abilities too. "He gets more publicity because of his offensive ability, but he is the best safety I have coached," Wedig said. "He makes great breaks on the ball, is an extremely hard hitter, and is a great punt returner." Walker was a key performer on last year's Division 4 runner-up squad, and has the Chiefs undefeated heading into Level 3 action and allowing just 5.7 points per game, good for fifth best in the state.