Santiago-Lloyd player of year

Brookfield East’s Sam Santiago-Lloyd finished his high school career in impressive fashion and then won the state’s top individual honor.

The senior tailback, who ran for 197 yards and a state all-division record five touchdowns in the 42-36 victory over Monona Grove to win the Division 2 championship on Nov. 19, was named The Associated Press Wisconsin Player of the Year on Thursday. He finished the year with 1,861 yards and 27 touchdowns on 292 carries.

Kimberly’s Steve Jones was named coach of the year. His team has the nation’s longest high school winning streak — 56 games — and last month won its fourth straight WIAA state title.

Earlier that day SantiagoLloyd had a highlight-reel performance with a division-record 37 carries.

Imagine what SantiagoLloyd could have accomplished if he wasn’t bothered by a high ankle sprain. The injury forced him to wear a walking boot and miss practice the week leading into the game.

He was good to go following a walk-through before the championship game.

“I had no doubt in my mind that Sam was going to have the best game of his life,” Brookfield East coach Ben Farley said.

Santiago-Lloyd missed a game because of the injury earlier in the season. He re-injured it in the state semifinals.

“One of his best attributes is he always showed up in big games,” Farley said.

A tough, physical running back, Santiago-Lloyd also played linebacker. He had four sacks and four interceptions in his career.

He stood out off the field for less obvious reasons.

“There could not be a more humble, low-key student-athlete,” Farley said. “A guy who always put his teammates first.”

Jones led a team that proved resilient. Kimberly fell behind by two touchdowns before rallying to beat Franklin, 29-14, in the Division 1 title game. The Papermakers (14-0) completed a fourth straight undefeated season, earning their third straight Division 1 crown after winning the Division 2 title in 2013.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience filled with amazing people . ... I believe I have the best coaching staff in the state,” Jones said. “You don’t do what we’ve done with just one person.”

Here is the 2016 AP team, as chosen by member sports editors and sports writers: