Posted 12/16/07

Linebacker Matt Eastlick, who led UW-Platteville in tackles for the second straight season, earned the Pioneer football Most Valuable Player award for 2007.

The senior from Belmont was given his award at the team's annual banquet Sunday afternoon. A two-time all-league selection, Eastlick recorded 220 tackles in his career, including 81 this season. He is also an academic all-conference selection.

Mike Genslinger (Jr., Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley) earned the Offensive MVP, David Akey (Sr., Merrill), Defensive MVP and Tony Smidl (So., Oshkosh/West), Special Teams MVP. Genslinger rushed for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns, despite missing a game due to an injury; Akey made 47 tackles, blocked four kicks and recovered two fumbles; and Smidl made 10 of 15 field-goal attempts and 22-24 PATs for 52 points.

The Battle of the Trenches awards, given to the top linemen, were won by all-conference performers Corey Darmody (Sr., Allentown, WI/Kewaskum) and Marcis Davidson (Sr., Waunakee) on offense and Akey on defense.

The George Chryst Award went to Nolan Krajco (Sr., LB, Richland Center), while Morgan May (So., DB, Elkhorn) earned the Scholar-Athlete Award. The George Chryst Award is named after the late Pioneer coach, who passed away unexpectedly in 1992 after compiling a 79-60-2 record and goes to the player who exemplifies both his passion and sportsmanship for the game. May is a building construction management major.

The Newcomer of the Year was quarterback Joe Burkeland (Fr., Hollandale, WI/Pecatonica), and Eric Jensen (So., DB, Arlington Heights, Ill.) earned the team's Most Improved Player. The Scout Team Players of the Year were Tom Bruins (So., LB, Waupun)on defense and Adam Hite (So., OL, South Elgin, Ill.) on offense.