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.

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 be clear, the Small School Defensive 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.

Adam Anderson, Lake Country Lutheran - Anderson has been outstanding the past two seasons for the Lightning, with 103 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 21 sacks during that time. He’s a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, last year earning WFCA All-Region as well.

Adreyan Contreras-Ward, Racine St. Catherine's - Contreras-Ward was a key player on the Racine St. Catherine’s team that won the Division 4 state championship last season behind a dominating defense. The Angels allowed just six points per game last year. Contreras-Ward was a WFCA All-State selection as a defensive end, recording 32 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, two of which went for touchdowns.

William Flottmeyer, Aquinas - Flottmeyer was a leader on and off the field for the Blugolds last season. A First Team All-Conference choice as an offensive and defensive lineman, he was a WFCA All-State pick on the defensive side of the ball.

Wyatt Graffin, Columbus - Graffin is an outstanding two-way lineman for the Cardinals, earning WFCA Small School All-State as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He’s a terror on defense, with 59 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks a year ago in 11 games. Graffin received an offer from North Dakota State as well as a preferred walk-on from Wisconsin, but recently gave a commitment to Central Michigan.

Zach Hellendrung, Boyceville - Hellendrung is a four-year varsity player for Boyceville with a really interesting athletic profile. He’s 6-3, 240 pounds but plays running back on offense for the Bulldogs, where he was a First Team All-Conference pick after rushing for 1,047 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was also a First Team pick on defense, recording 109 tackles and three sacks. He gave a commitment to NDSU in April.

Max Matthias, Two Rivers - Matthias has been a four-year varsity starter, playing his first two seasons on the defensive line before shifting to linebacker last season. With 120 tackles last season, he has 408 in his career, as he’s likely to end up in the top three all-time, with an outside chance to break the state’s career tackles record (set last year by Germantown’s Cooper Catalano at 583). He clearly has a nose for the football, and will deliver a blow to the ballcarrier as he closes quickly.

Kobe Russell, Prescott - Russell excels on both sides of the ball, and could easily compete at receiver or defensive back at the next level. He caught 36 passes for 647 yards and eight scores last year, while on defense he recorded 34 tackles with four interceptions. He has the size and speed to line up outside in one-on-one or come inside and play over the slot. After racking up nine Division 1 offers, he gave a commitment to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.

Mauricio Talamantez, Racine St. Catherine's - Talamantez was a key part of St. Cats’ dominating defense that helped the Angles secure an undefeated state championship. He was the team’s second-leading tackler with 65 stops from his safety position.

Ryan Westrich, Bonduel - Westrich is a four-year varsity player and a beast on both sides of the ball for the Bears. An All-State tight end, he’s also a disruptive defensive lineman. Last year he recorded 90 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.