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

The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) presents both an Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year award in the state of Wisconsin each season for Large School and Small School, and usually, there are pretty clear candidates that emerge very early in the season. By the mid-point of the season (seven games into a 14-game season including the playoffs), a handful of possible recipients usually stand out and it's a race to the finish to see who will grab the award.

It takes the right combination of name recognition, statistical success, and team success to win the award, which is available to players from any grade but has traditionally gone to a senior. Generally, the player must be from a very successful team that is either unbeaten or a favorite to compete for a state title. However, a few years ago we saw Brown Deer's Zach Baun receive the award in a close vote, despite the fact that his Falcons finished just 8-3 overall and went out in Level 2 of the playoffs. His individual brilliance was too much to pass up however, despite a strong pool of candidates.

To see our take on the Large School Offensive Player of the Year, click here.

To be clear, the Small School Offensive Player of the Year is presented by the WFCA. However, below is my take on the top candidates right now (in alphabetical order), though there is a long ways to go before the selection is made after Level 4 of the postseason, and more candidates could certainly emerge.

Teddy Bernick, QB, Prescott - Prescott is one of the surprise teams in the state this season, going from 2-5 in league play last season to alone atop the Middle Border standings with two games to play. Teddy Bernick has combined with receivers Will Packard and Kobe Russell for a dynamic passing attack. Bernick has completed 68% of his passes for 1,248 yards with 17 touchdowns and just one interception, good for a 143.6 passer rating. He's also rushed for 237 yards and three scores.

Matthew Buckman, QB, Cambridge - Buckman is leading the state in passing yards through seven games of the season, throwing for 2,209 yards with 29 touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes. He's the only player to be averaging more than 300 yards per game this season, as the Blue Jays are unbeaten and ranked third in Division 6.

Josiah Johnson, RB, Milwaukee Academy of Science - The Novas have been one of the most dominating offenses in the state this year, averaging 47 points per game. Johnson carries the ground attack, accounting for 120 of the team's 138 rush attempts. He's gone for 1,526 yards and 25 touchdowns already, both tops in the state for undefeated Milwaukee Academy of Science.

Drew Kortz, QB, Freedom - Kortz has helped the Irish to an unbeaten start to the season, including a victory over previously top-ranked Wrightstown last week. He's completed 68% of his passes for 1,554 yards with 17 touchdowns and a 134.7 passer rating to this point. Kortz has added 437 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and is also a starting defensive back with four interceptions.

Conner Roche, RB, Columbus - Roche waited patiently behind WFCA Small School Offensive Player of the Year and the state's all-time leading rusher Colton Brunell, and has really come into his own this season. Through seven games for the undefeated Cardinals, he's rushed for 1,337 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 12 yards per attempt and 191 yards per game. He's also a starting linebacker for Columbus.

Brody Schaffer, QB, Winneconne - Winneconne is 7-0 and in first place in the Bay Conference, as Schaffer has put up huge numbers at quarterback after moving over from receiver last year. He's completed 70% of his passes for 1,045 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 861 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He's also racked up more than 300 kick and punt return yards.

Blake Thiry, RB/TE, Prairie du Chien - Once again, Thiry is Mr. Do-It-All for Prairie du Chien. He's tops on the club with 88 rush attempts for 919 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also leading the club with 22 receptions for 513 yards and 10 scores. He's got 28 tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumbles recoveries, and a score on defense and also averages 47 yards per punt for the first place Blackhawks.

Jack Tubbs, QB, Stratford - The Tigers are undefeated and ranked number one in Division 5, coming off back-to-back D6 state titles. Jack Tubbs, the son of head coach Jason Tubbs, was the quarterback on last year's championship team and has been a catalyst again this year, completing 75% of his passes for 1,189 yards with 15 touchdowns, good for a 141 passer rating. He's also increased his production on the ground with 331 rushing yards and six scores.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

Carter Drews, RB, Cambria-Friesland
Sam Ersland, RB, Wisconsin Dells
Bryce Gullixon, RB, Kiel
Taden Holldorf, RB, Baldwin-Woodville
Jensen Rice, QB, Iola-Scandinavia
Taylor Schaumberg, RB, Lomira
Owen Seffrood, RB, Black Hawk/Warren
Tavian Shramek, QB, Blair-Taylor

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

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.