PRZ WI Player of the Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The time has come! After a historic, and memorable 2023 season we have decided on the PRZ WI Player of the Year. It was a tough decision between the 10 Finalists, but in the end this athlete is the one who best exemplified what we look for in a representative. An athlete who produced on a weekly basis. One who was a huge focal point for production, and one who directly led to team success throughout the season. When you take all those things into account, it pointed at one athlete. Your 2023 Prep Redzone Wisconsin Player of the Year is...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268947"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e12 Gamesu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e309 Carries, 2,298 Rushing Yards, 32 TDsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e6 Receptions, 65 Yardsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e83 Tackles, 11 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 FF, 4 PBUsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e3rd in Rushing Yardsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e6th in Rushing TDsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e3rd in Rushing Yards/Gameu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eWI Career Rushing Record Holderu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e1st Team AP All State RB u0026amp; LBu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cdiv class=u0022block-acf/evaluation-blocku0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022player-evaluations mx-auto pt-5 max-w-screen-xlu0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022bg-gray-100 mb-6 rounded-lg shadowu0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022grid max-w-7xl grid-cols-1 gap-x-8 gap-y-10 px-5 pt-4 md:p-6 md:grid-cols-8u0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022md:col-span-5u0022u003ernu003cp style=u0022text-align: leftu0022u003eColton is the most prolific rusher in WI history. He set the career rushing record, and dominated in his final season. Colton created 73% of his team's rushing yards while making a push to Level 3 of the playoffs. He also scored 76% of his team's rushing TDs.u003c/pu003ernrnu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659c7f23ab688"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the end, Columbus' [player_tooltip player_id='268947' first='Colton' last='Brunell'] was most deserving of this award. The raw numbers from start to finish were off the charts. He was 3rd in the state in rushing yards per game despite playing in 12 games. Colton handled an amazing 72% of the team's total carries along with scoring 76% of the rushing TDs, and having 73% of the team's rushing yards. The workhorse back piled up his insane stats thanks to nearly 26 carries per game. The senior RB is no newcomer to this award either. Since his sophomore year, Colton has been in the running for this award. So to see it all come together in his final season was awesome to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another reason for Brunell bringing home the award is his two way impact. Not only did Brunell put up one of the best RB seasons we saw this year, the stud ATH also was tied for his team lead in tackles. The senior roamed sideline to sideline from his LB position. He also got behind the line for 11 TFLs, 2nd on the team, and a sack. Having an athlete you can count on to lead the offense and defense on the field is extremely valuable. Having one who can do it with the talent level that Colton has is rare.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colton also put together this dominant season with some new faces clearing the way. Columbus saw some exceptional OL talent graduate in June 2023, but that didn't stop the well oiled machine that was the Columbus running game. Even while working a talented sophomore QB into the starting role, we didn't see the offense dip. Through all the changes from the State Championship 2022 season, Brunell was one of the constants, and his impact on both sides of the ball was huge for their success to carry into 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior RB/LB also finished his career by setting the WI HS career rushing record. It was clear that his career could be a special one when he made a run at this award with his sophomore performance. Then he beat it as a junior. Now the highly decorated senior holds the honor of the most prolific RB in a state that has based its history in the ground game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massive congrats to Colton on this honor, and on his historic career capped off by a memorable season. We here at Prep Redzone WI can't wait to follow your career as you head on to North Dakota. Good luck at the next level! If you haven't seen his dominant career highlights on offense, check out the video below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15836669/654e495ee98558098478cad6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659c7f23ab6f1"} /-->