Hodags Germain, Chariton on preseason football watch lists

Two members of the Rhinelander High School football team were named last week to watch lists for statewide football senior class awards by website WisSports.net.

Zach Germain was named to the watch list for the Al Toon Award, given to the state’s top senior receiver, and Tyler Chariton made the watch list for the Kevin Stemke Award, given to the state’s top senior kicker and/or punter.

Germain caught only three passes last year for the Hodags, but was a big play threat, averaging 43.7 yards per reception. That included a 68-yard score during a Week 3 win over Ashland. Chariton earned first-team All-GNC honors at punter last year, averaging more than 31 yards per kick for the Hodags. 

In all 11 GNC players made the watch lists for the eight state-wide awards: Antigo quarterback Colton Thomae for the Dave Kreig Award; running backs Noah Bruckner from Lakeland and Paxton Rothmeier from Medford for the Leroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch Award; Germain and Mosinee’s Brady Lokken for the Al Toon Award; Antigo offensive lineman Gordon Lucht for the Joe Thomas Award; Mosinee defensive lineman Jackson Lindell for the Tim Krumrie Award; Antigo linebacker Grant Prazlowicz for the John Anderson Award; Medford defensive backs Evan Paul and Evan Wilkins for the Jim Leonhard Award; and Chariton for the Stemke Award.

WSN stated that the preseason list will be trimmed down to about 25 semi-finalists halfway through the regular season, with five finalists chosen at the start of the playoffs. Winners will be announced the week of the state finals.