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The WSN15 series will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of WisSports.net by looking back at the top players, teams, and moments of the past 15 years (2003-2017).

The Top 15 Players countdown is not a recruiting ranking and not indicative of what the players did after high school. It is a ranking of the top high school players, the impact they had for their team, and the dominance they displayed while in high school.

Garrett Groshek saw action on the Amherst Falcons' 2012 Division 5 state championship team, recording a pair of tackles in the title game victory over Lancaster. He also rushed for 438 yards and 4 touchdowns during the year, but it was just setting the stage for the incredible production to come over the next three years.

In three seasons as the team's starting quarterback, he would guide the Falcons to a 38-3 overall record, with a runner-up finish in 2014 and dominating state championship season in 2015.

Groshek became the second known player in state history to pass and rush for at least 1,000 yards three different times in his career.

As a sophomore first-time starter, he threw for 1,13 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 1,296 rushing yards and 17 scores on the ground while adding three punt return touchdowns. The Falcons would advance to the state semi-finals, falling to eventual champion Stanley-Boyd.

As a junior, the Falcons went unbeaten to the state title game, falling to Lancaster. Groshek was the CWC-8 Player of the Year after throwing for 1,825 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 1,281 and 20 scores.

There would be no stopping the Falcons and Groshek the following season however. The team would dominate in almost every game, going a perfect 14-0 capped by a 42-0 running clock win over Spencer/Columbus Catholic in the Division 5 championship game.

In that title game victory, the Falcons scored on their first six possessions of the game, with Groshek having a hand in each one. He went 29 yards for a touchdown on Amherst's first possession, ran 78 yards on the next, and added four touchdown passes in a performance for the ages. Groshek finished 11 of 14 throwing the ball for 172 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 161 rushing yards and 2 scores on 12 carries. 

For the season, he'd finish with 2,398 passing yards (68.8% completion) for 41 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. Groshek would rush for 1,432 yards and 16 scores, averaging 12.6 yards per attempt.

For his efforts, Groshek would be named the WFCA Offensive Player of the Year following his senior season. His name is all over the state record book. His 41 passing touchdowns as a senior are tie for fifth in state history, his 72 career touchdown throws place him in the top ten, he's fifth in career rushing yards by a quarterback, and his 9,683 combined passing and rushing yards are fourth.

Lightly recruited out of high school, he walked on at Wisconsin, and after spending a year as the scout team quarterback, Groshek made the switch to running back this fall, earning considerable playing time.

#15 - J.J. Watt, Pewaukee
#14 - Jayme Wells, Kimberly
#13 - Travis Frederick, Big Foot
#12 - Travis Beckum, Oak Creek
#11 - Sam Santiago-Lloyd, Brookfield East
#10 - Garrett Groshek, Amherst
#9 - Leo Musso, Waunakee
#8 - Blair Mulholland, Kimberly
#7 - Gabe Carimi, Monona Grove
#6 - Ben Hempel, Franklin
#5 - Mike Newkirk, Ladysmith
#4 - Eric Brunner, Greendale
#3 - John Clay, Racine Park
#2 - Josh Oglesby, Saint Francis
#1 - Melvin Gordon, Kenosha Bradford

Others Considered

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