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

The WSN 8-Player Football Awards were launched in 2016 to recognize the outstanding players participating in reduced player football. Awards presented will be Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. All players are eligible regardless of grade level.

Each year, a preseason Watch List will be produced, then narrowed down to five finalists to be announced after the first week of playoff games. Winners will be announced the week following the 8-Player State Championship.

These awards are not associated with any conference nor the WFCA awards, and are presented independently by WisSports.net.

Ben Bates, Newman Catholic - Just a junior, Bates has been extremely efficient and productive throwing the football this season. He completed 160 of 237 passes, good for a 67.5% completion percentage, for 2,677 yards and 38 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He led 8-Player Football in yards and touchdowns, helping the Cardinals to the state semi-finals. He added 479 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground as well.

Dennis Brule, Luck - Brule is one of three Luck backs to go over 1,000 rushing yards this season. He leads the team with 1,259 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns as the unbeaten Cardinals are set to play in the first-ever 8-Player State Championship Game. Brule averages 10.3 yards per carry this season.

Thomas Hoffman, Clayton - Hoffman is the leading rusher in the state for 8-Player Football, carrying the ball 191 times for 1,834 yards and 22 touchdowns in nine games. He also led the team with 26 catches for 424 yards and three more touchdowns receiving.

Trevor Reinhardt, Gibraltar - As a senior, Reinhardt helped guide the Vikings to the 8-Player Football Playoffs. Also a finalist last season, he completed 101 of 208 passes for 2,158 yards and 32 touchdowns. Both his yards and touchdowns are second in all of 8-Man.

Elliot Samuels, Newman Catholic - Samuels was a big-play threat as the Cardinals went unbeaten in the regular season for a second straight year and advanced to the state semi-finals. As a senior he hauled in 72 passes for 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns for Newman Catholic.

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