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WSN15: Football Top Teams #2 - 2012 Arrowhead Warhawks

12/21/2017, 8:23am CST
By Travis Wilson

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). 

For the Top 15 Teams countdown, more than one season of a program was considered for inclusion on the list, as long as the seasons featured different waves of players. For example, the 2008 and 2012 teams of the same school would be considered, but not necessarily the 2012 and 2013 teams.

The Top 15 Teams countdown is not a "Who would beat who?" list, as that would be heavily weighted towards big schools. Factors in determining the Top 15 Teams included: how dominant the team was compared to contemporaries, how impressive the team was in big games, quality of competition faced, number of high-level players, and more.

Top 15 Teams: #2 - 2012 Arrowhead Warhawks

Going undefeated in the Classic Eight Conference is incredibly challenging. Going unbeaten in Division 1 is very tough. To do both in the same year puts you in rare territory, something the Arrowhead program is used to. Owners of the most WIAA state finals appearances in state history with 13 to go with six championships, the Warhawks have eight title game appearances and three championships during the WSN era.

Several of those teams received consideration for inclusion on our Top 15 list, but we landed on the 2012 group that won the first of back-to-back Division 1 titles and began a four-year run of state championship game appearances.

The Warhawks opened the year against Minnesota-based power Minnetonka with a nationwide audience on ESPN3. Trailing 21-6 at halftime, the Warhawks rattled off 35 unanswered points in the second half, as Dom Todarello rushed for four scores and threw for another. 

Arrowhead finished unbeaten in the eight-game regular season, including a 50-7 win over a Catholic Memorial team that would go on to win the Division 3 championship. 

In the playoffs, Arrowhead defeated Milwaukee Vincent and Germantown before facing off against Kimberly. The Warhawks claimed a convincing 31-7 victory, which happens to be the last loss for the Papermakers. In the state semi-finals, Arrowhead scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to pull away for a 43-20 victory over Hudson.

In the state title game against fellow unbeaten Sun Prairie, the Warhawks posted one of the most dominating halves in state title game history, racing to a 35-0 halftime lead before cruising home for a 35-14 victory that finished with a running clock.

Arrowhead was loaded with talent across the board, beginning with Honorable Mention All-State quarterback Brady Kelliher. Dom Todarello did a little bit of everything, and was joined in the backfield by versatile players like Ty Jager, Cody Sellhausen, and Johnny Duranso. The receiving corps featured the Finco brothers, Kenny and Ricky, along with Brandon Kim. The offensive line included two-time First Team All-State pick George Panos, who was just a junior in 2012.

The defense was led by a strong junior class that included two-time First Team All-State lineman Billy Hirschfeld plus a dynamic linebacker corps of Matt Deitz, Sam Seonbuchner, and Andy Hessler. In the secondary, Jackson Abresch and Alex Romenesko were big-time playmakers.

Against an incredibly difficult schedule, the 2012 Arrowhead team outscored opponents by an average of 45-10, with each game decided by at least three scores. Arrowhead would go on to repeat as state champion in 2013, though the Warhawks dropped an early season non-conference game against Homestead and had several other tight games throughout the year.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

Tag(s): News Archive  News  Travis Wilson  WSN15