The Al Toon Award is given annually to the state's top senior wide receiver or tight end as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards presented by Taco Bell. The award is named after former University of Wisconsin athlete Al Toon, who went on to play in the NFL for several very successful seasons before multiple concussions ended his career early. Toon is an active member of the community in the Madison area both in the business world and in various charitable endeavors.
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.
Al Toon Award Finalists:
Brent Esser, D.C. Everest -- Esser was a breakout performer in 2011, despite seeing more and more double teams as the year went on. Blessed with 4.4 speed, Esser is a big play waiting to happen, catching 50 passes for 1083 yards and 13 touchdowns through 10 games this year. He also scored two rushing touchdowns, returned a kick punt for a score, returned an interception for a touchdown, and threw for a 70-yard score as well. He has had at least 100-yards receiving or scored a touchdown in every game this season. His best game came in a close 28-21 loss to Appleton North in Week 3 when he caught 7 passes for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns. In a 49-35 upset win over third-seeded Eau Claire Memorial in Level 1 of the playoffs, Esser caught 3 passes for 82 yards with 1 touchdown. He set the tone with a 75-yard touchdown catch just 16 seconds into the game. "We have not seen a player on film or played against a better receiver than Brent," head coach Luke Coenen said.
Kevin Folker, Milwaukee Lutheran -- Folker had a very good season last year as a second option to Al Toon Award finalist Garrett Wenzelburger, and moved into a headlining role this season. He established great chemistry with quarterback Jake Nelson right away, bursting out of the gates with four straight 100-yard games. He did not fade late in the year either, catching 6 passes for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns in a Week 8 win over Grafton and securing 8 catches for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns in a Level 1 playoff loss to Wisconsin Lutheran. He finished the year with 62 catches for 1118 yards and 16 touchdowns. "Kevin is an outstanding route runner," head coach Joe Kalkopf said. "He does a phenomenal job going and getting the ball when it is in the air. He is fearless going across the middle on slants and posts and is an outstanding blocker." Folker was named First Team All-Conference and End of the Year in the North Shore Conference.
Matt Misiewicz, Marquette -- Misiewicz was a First Team All-Conference selection in 2010 and will assuredly be a repeat selection this year with a shot at Offensive Player of the Year in the Greater Metro Conference. The 6-4, 175-pounder teamed with quarterback Joe Greif to form one of the best passing combos in the state. He averaged an astounding 25.2 yards per catch this season, hauling in 39 passes for 986 yards and 9 touchdowns. He started the year with a bang, catching just two passes in a 27-20 win over Wisconsin Lutheran, but making them count; he had an 81-yard touchdown catch to open the scoring just 16 seconds into the game and added a 90-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth quarter to put the game away. "Matt has great hands and is the best 'jump ball' guy in the state," head coach Jeff Mazurczak said. "He is a smooth route runner, and many coaches have told me he is 'certainly the best in the state'."
Jordan Roosa, Mosinee -- Roosa was a First Team All-Conference choice in 2010 and a likely First Team choice this season as well. He helped the Indians to a perfect regular season and Level 2 playoff berth with 47 receptions for 799 yards and 12 touchdowns. Roosa was also a threat in the return game, taking two kickoffs back for scores. In a 28-21 Indians win over last year's Great Northern Conference champion Antigo, Roosa caught 9 passes for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. In Level 1 of the playoffs against Seymour he caught 5 passes for 101 yards. Roosa is a jitterbug of a receiver that uses his outstanding quickness to free himself at the line of scrimmage and then get open down the field.
Matt Sosinsky, Montello/Princeton/Green Lake -- Sosinsky leads the state in receptions (74), receiving yards (1269), and receiving touchdowns (22) this season, and if it holds up it will be the second year in a row he wins the receiving Triple Crown. He broke the all-time receiving touchdown record back in Week 4, and finished his illustrious career with 51 receiving scores, well ahead of the previous record of 39. With two touchdown catches in the Phoenix's Level 1 loss to Wautoma, he also broke the single-season touchdown reception record, finishing 2011 with 22. He is second on the career receiving yardage list with 3544 yards and third in receptions with 206. "Virtually every team we faced this year had a game plan to limit Matt's catches," Phoenix co-head coach Harlan Leusink said. "All played with one person dedicated to him defensively, with a safety slid over the top. Some even had another linebacker that was switched to his side of the field to protect against the slant."
Tag(s): News Travis Wilson Senior FB Awards
