St. Cloud State junior quarterback Phil Klaphake has been named one of 24 finalists for the top player in Division II college football, the Harlon Hill Trophy.  Klaphake threw for 2,519 yards and 26 touchdowns and has run for 460 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Huskies in 2012.  He ranks in the top three in the NSIC in passing average per game, total offense and pass efficiency.

St. Cloud State is 6-4 overall this season and will close the season at Minnesota State-Moorhead Saturday at 1pm.

Klaphake is the fifth Harlon Hill candidate in Husky Football history. He follows running backs Harry Jackson (1989), and Randy Martin (1995, 1996), quarterback Keith Heckendorf (2002, 2003) and running back Matt Birkel (2004, 2005). Heckendorf advanced to the top three finalists in 2002 and 2003, and was second in trophy voting in 2003.

The winner of the 2012 award, which is presented by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced at the 27th annual Harlon Hill Trophy Presentation Banquet on Friday, Dec. 14 in Florence, Ala.

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