MADISON — University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Keyser Helterbrand was named the Offensive Player, UW-Platteville’s Justin Blazek the Defensive Player of the Year and UW-Platteville’s Andrew Schweigert and UW-La Crosse’s Michael Stack the Co-Special Teams Players of the Year to lead the individuals chosen to the 2023 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Football Team by the league coaches. In addition, UW-Whitewater’s Tyler Vasey received Newcomer of the Year honors and UW-La Crosse’s Matt Janus was tabbed the George Chryst Coach of the Year.
Helterbrand is the third player in program history to receive the award on offense, joining Cole Spieker (2019) and Joey Stutzman (2022). He leads the WIAC with a 193.2 passing efficiency, while tying for second with 24 passing touchdowns. Helterbrand ranks third with 676 rushing yards and fourth with 2,188 passing yards.
Blazek claimed the defensive honor for the second straight year, becoming the second individual in conference archives to accomplish the feat. UWW’s Mackenzie Balanganayi was a two-time winner in 2019 and 2021. Blazek tops the league with 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He has added 53 tackles, five pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
This is the second time in WIAC history that the special teams plaque has been shared. UWP’s Quinn Buschbacher and UW-Stout’s Drew Pearson split the award in 2016. Schweigert leads the conference with 44.1 yards per punt and eight punts of over 50 yards. He had a season-best 66-yard punt against UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 21, and has made 10-of-14 field goals, as well as 33-of-34 extra-point conversions.
Stack has converted 11-of-13 field goal attempts, including a game-winning 51-yard attempt as time expired in a 37-34 victory over UWW on Oct. 7. He has been perfect on all 43 extra-point attempts.
Vasey ranks second in the WIAC with 351 kick return yards and third with 25.1 yards per kick return. His 93-yard return for a touchdown against UWP on Oct. 28, was the first kick return for a touchdown for UWW since 2013. A Newcomer of the Year is defined as a student-athlete who used his first season of participation in football this season. Transfers are not eligible unless they didn’t participate in football at their previous institution.
Repeat selections on the first team from a season ago included: UW-Lax’s Mike Bertoia and Jack Kelly; UWO’s Carson Raddatz and Trae Tetzlaff; UWP’s Sam Smith; UW-River Falls’ Alex Klecker; UW-Stout’s Arthur Cox (Special Teams Player of the Year) and Cannon Griner; and UWW’s Egon Hein. Bertoia, Cox and Hein were also first team selections during the 2021 campaign.
Janus received the coaching award for the second straight season after leading UW-Lax to the 35th conference title in program archives. The Eagles will also make their 13th NCAA appearance this weekend and have posted nine wins for the third consecutive year.
An All-Sportsmanship Team was announced for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each school.
Jeffery Williams, a Brodhead graduate, was one of the selections. Williams caught 19 passes for 144 yards and one TD.
