The Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award is presented annually to the state's top senior running back as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after former Wausau High School athlete Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, who went on to play for the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan before starring at end in the NFL for 12 seasons. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the National High School Hall of Fame, and later went on to serve as Wisconsin's athletic director from 1969 to 1987.
The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 25 semi-finalists, and five finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners are announced the week of the state finals.
Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch Award Finalists:
Justin Fowlkes, Delavan-Darien - Fowlkes' versatility and talent has been on full display this season. The 5-7, 160-pounder has shown explosive running ability, racking up 1675 yards on just 187 carries with 25 touchdowns in the Comets' spread-option attack. Late in the season when quarterback Austin Fritzinger went down with an injury, Fowlkes stepped in to man the position and has led the team to multiple wins. In addition to his already impressive rushing stats, he has thrown for 722 yards with 12 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions on only 49 passing attempts (29 completions). After missing playoffs last year, Delavan-Darien rebounded this season with a 10-1 record so far, trip to Level 3 playoffs, and an outright conference title behind Fowlkes. "Justin has been our "all everything" player this year," Delavan-Darien coach Steve Tenhagen said. "He has that "it" factor. We are running everything through him and he is a major part of why we are still playing. He is a natural leader on and off the field."
Melvin Gordon, Kenosha Bradford - One of the most explosive playmakers this state has seen in some time, Gordon has scored at least two rushing touchdowns in every game this year. He averages 13.7 yards per carry, has rushed for 1711 yards, and accumulated 34 touchdowns on the ground this year. He's added 10 catches for 326 yards and 3 scores in the receiving game to help Bradford to a 10-1 record with the Red Devils still alive in the postseason. Gordon has averaged an amazing one touchdown every 3.6 times he's touched the ball on offense. Committed to the University of Iowa, he was the hottest running back in the state since Racine Park's John Clay.
Jaime Hofer, Middleton - With a great blend of strength, speed, vision, and a hard-charging running style, Hofer has exploded in his senior season. He's rushed for 2039 yards with 24 touchdowns as Middleton once again tied for the Big Eight Conference title. While not large in stature, Hofer is one of the toughest runners in the state and breaks through simple arm tackles with great consistency, allowing him to get into the open and use his sprinter's speed to break off long runs, something else he's done with great consistency. He rushed for a season best 300 yards with three touchdowns in a 34-16 win over rival Verona in Week 4 and has gone for 260 and 175 yards respectively in the Cardinals' two postseason games so far.
Logan Lauters, Cedarburg - A four year varsity performer and the school's all-time leading rusher, Lauters has been a big reason the Bulldogs have racked up a 10-1 record so far and advanced to Level 3 of the WIAA playoffs. One of the state's true workhorse backs, he's carried it 261 times for 2205 yards and 29 touchdowns. He's gone over 25 carries six times this season, including a Level 2 win over Ashwaubenon that saw him tote the rock 40 times for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns. Lauters is virtually a shoe-in for his third straight 1st team all-conference selection. “Logan has been a once in a lifetime player for our program and it truly has been an honor to coach him,” head coach Brian Leair said. “His work ethic and love for football is second to none.“
Dakota Runde, Potosi - The Chieftains are 11-0 on the season and captured an outright conference title in the always tough Six Rivers Conference. They've advanced to the Level 3 playoffs as well, with much of the credit due to Runde, who has amassed 2152 yards and 25 touchdowns on 268 carries this season. He's added 9 catches for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns and a kick return for a score as well, while also playing at an all-conference level as a defensive back.
Ben Wassink, Kimberly – After a slow start in Week 1 that saw him gain just 52 yards with no touchdowns in a tough 10-6 loss to Appleton North, Wassink has been unstoppable for the Papermakers. He's reeled off 10 straight 100-yard games and scored 30 touchdowns in that time. All told, he's carried it 245 times for 1974 yards and those 30 touchdowns this season on his way to not only first team all-FVA honors, but also recognition as the league's Back of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Head coach Steve Jorgensen heaped high praise on him as well.
Tag(s): News Travis Wilson Senior FB Awards
