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Graham Mertz, Leo Chenal named Gatorade football players of the year

Two class of 2019 Wisconsin verbal commits—quarterback Graham Mertz and running back/linebacker Leo Chenal—claimed honors on Thursday as Gatorade state players of the year.

Adding on more accolades for the four-star 2019 quarterback commit, it was announced that Mertz was named the Gatorade 2018 Kansas Football Player of the Year.

Chenal—also honored as the WFCA small school offensive and defensive player of the year in November—was named Gatorade 2018 Wisconsin Football Player of the Year.

This season, Mertz completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 3,886 yards with 51 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on way to leading Blue Valley North to the KSHSAA Class 6A championship game.