MIDDLETON -- Travis Frederick walked off the field with the look of a true warrior Saturday night at Breitenbach Stadium.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound senior, whose broken right arm is sporting a monster cast, was tired but had a smile on his face that would not quit.

Frederick took time to savor each moment as he hugged members of his family and various well-wishers following Walworth Big Foot's 27-14 victory over West Salem in a WIAA Division 4 state semifinal prep football game.

For the first time, the Chiefs are heading to the state finals at Camp Randall Stadium, where Frederick will play for the University of Wisconsin next year.

"There are no words to describe it. It's like going home. It's the end of my high school career and the start of my college career. It's awesome," said Frederick, a three-time Rock Valley Lineman of the Year and the state's sixth-ranked prospect, according to Rivals.com.

So far, Frederick's senior year has gone according to plan, despite the injury.

He has led third-ranked Big Foot (13-0) to its first conference championship since 1975. The Rock Valley South titlist will face Wautoma-Faith Christian Academy (12-1) in the WIAA Division 4 state championship on Thursday at 7 p.m.

A two-way starter since his sophomore year, Frederick's defensive reps have been limited since he broke his arm on the first play of the Big Foot's last regular season game on Oct. 23.

But last week, his cast was trimmed down, giving Frederick more flexibility and mobility, as well as a prominent role against West Salem.

"I think Travis is just the total package," Big Foot coach Rodney Wedig said. "He's a kid you're going to be watching on TV on Saturdays and maybe even someday on Sundays."

After graduating four starters from last year's offensive line, there was some concern over how well the Chiefs would be able to move the ball this season.

But Big Foot enters the state title game averaging 275 yards rushing per game behind Frederick, who projects as an offensive lineman in college.

"He is very cerebral," Wedig said. "He makes all of our calls at the line. He makes sure the young kids know what to do."

And to think, Frederick nearly missed out on this stretch run; at first, there was concern his injury might end his season.

"It was one of those things on whether he could tolerate the pain," Wedig said. "Now he's gotten the cast shortened and he's as excited as ever. We can't keep him off the field."

Frederick's unwillingness to be sidelined stems from his days in youth football, when he was deemed too big to play.

"I didn't get to play much pee-wee football because I was over the weight limit. All I really got to do was practice," Frederick said. "But that's OK. That's how you get better. You have to put in the work."

That's exactly what Frederick has done since last season, when he earned Associated Press All-State second team honors as an offensive lineman.

After attending several camps last summer to develop his skills on that side of the ball, Frederick committed to UW -- in large part because of academics.