Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Many high school football standouts in Wisconsin go on to big things at the college level and in the pros, and this is our spot to recognize those athletes each week and help you keep up with what is going down on some of your favorite players from the past. If you have alumni news, please send it to Colton Wilson by 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

It seems every week the University of Wisconsin Badgers are getting huge contributions from in-state athletes on both sides of the ball. This week, in another top 10 matchup, Dare Ogunbowale greatly contributed in the 23-17 overtime win against 7th ranked Nebraska. The Marquette graduate rushed for 120 yards on the day, none being more important than the 11 yard touchdown he had in overtime.

Fellow Marquette graduate, Mark Spelmann was named the Missouri Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week for his effort in Illinois State’s 38-21 win over South Dakota State. He helped the Redbirds rushing attack to 209 yards on the day.

In other Missouri Valley play, Franklin alum Sean McGuire threw for 286 yards and 3 combined touchdowns in Western Illinois’ 35-34 win over South Dakota. McGuire's 2 yard touchdown throw with 32 seconds left in the game sealed the victory for the Leathernecks.

UW-Whitewater’s Cal Durni (Brookfield East) was named to the Division 3 football team of the week for his performance in the Warhawks’ 48-6 win over UW-Eau Claire. He accounted for 2 sacks while teammate Matt Seitz (Arrowhead) recorded a sack himself. David O’Gorman (Watertown) and Bryce Leszczynski (Pius XI) each had an interception for the Warhawks.

Former Clayton quarterback Kyle Larson threw for 387 yards, with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions, in UW-Stevens Point’s 38-22 win over UW-La Crosse. That performance earned him WIAC Offensive Player of the Week. Paul Swartz (Wilmot), Logan Taylor (Wausau East), and Jerry Williams (Watertown) combined for 4 touchdowns for the Pointers. Drew Pearson (Waukesha West) connected on two, 48 yard field goals for UW-Oshkosh, earning him WIAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Former Whitefish Bay athlete Colin Downing made the first list of candidates for the Ray Guy award, which goes to the nation’s best punter in division 1. The junior punter is averaging 41.4 yards per punt this year.

Minnesota-Duluth got big performances from in-state players in their 54-23 win over Minnesota-Crookston. Jason Balts (Barron) had 177 yards receiving and 1 touchdown. On the defensive side, Gus Wedig (Big Foot) and Zach Bassuener (Wisconsin Rapids) combined for 21 tackles and 2 sacks for Duluth.

In other Northern Sun play, Blair Van Ess (Bay Port) recorded his first 3 catches, one resulting in a touchdown, in Bemidji’s 48-7 win over St. Cloud State. Elsewhere, Nick Pridgeon (Wauwatosa East) had 8 tackles and an interception for Winona State in their 21-20 Northern Sun loss to Augustana.

Drake football was led on defense to a 33-21 victory over Campbell by a few athletes from the state. Former Brookfield East player, Terry Wallen had 2 interceptions for Drake, while Ximi Asani (Madison La Follette) recorded a sack.

A couple of Appleton North graduates made big plays for Lawrence University in their 53-7 win over Grinnell College. Dan Rothbauer had a career high 19 tackles, including 3 for loss. Cole Erickson hauled in a touchdown reception on the day.

In other Midwest Conference play, Gabriel Noyce (New Glarus) had 10 catches for 128 yards in Cornell’s 48-36 loss to Macalester. Also, Stuart Kwaterski (Notre Dame) returned a fumble 10 yards for a touchdown in St. Norbert College’s 56-20 win over Illinois College.