skip navigation

Joe Thomas Award Finalists for top senior offensive lineman

10/29/2014, 10:00pm CDT
By Travis Wilson

The Joe Thomas Award is given annually to the state's top senior offensive lineman as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after former Brookfield Central and University of Wisconsin athlete Joe Thomas, who has gone on to great success in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. After an All-American career at UW, Thomas has been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl each of his three years in the league.
 
The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 15 semi-finalists, and six finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners are announced the week of the state finals.
 
Joe Thomas Award Finalists:

Peter Andrew, Fond du Lac - "Peter Andrew is bar none, the BEST high school offensive lineman I have ever been around," said Fond du Lac head coach Mike Gnewuch when asked about his senior standout. "Coach Steve Jorgensen shares my sentiments as well, saying he is the best he has ever coached." Andrew was recently named the Offensive Lineman of the Year in the VFA-South after helping the Cardinals to a resurgent 9-1 campaign so far.

Jon Dietzen, Seymour - "Jon is truly a once-in-a-lifetime talent for us," said head coach Matthew Molle. "He is an absolute road-grader with a great punch and excellent feet." Dietzen, a Wisconsin commit, was a First Team All-State selection last season and is likely to earn the honor again this season. "I am quite sure there are many other outstanding linemen in our state, but I believe you would have a difficult time finding one with the physical size and abilities of Jon."

Vince Hughes, Franklin - "Vince is the best offensive lineman we have ever had in my 22 years at Franklin," Sabers coach Louis Brown said. Last season Hughes was a First Team All-Conference selection and WFCA Honorable Mention All-State choice, as his strong play led to a scholarship offer from Northern Illinois, where he has given a verbal commitment.

Elijah Perine, Homestead - Perine moved over to the offensive side of the ball prior to his junior season after playing primarily on defense. He quickly proved he was ready to excel there, earning First Team All-Conference recognition as a junior. He's expected to receive similar honors this season after another stellar performance, as the Highlanders averaged better than 200 yards per game on the ground. 

Andrew Poenitsch, Sussex Hamilton - Poenitsch dealt with some injuries his junior season, but came back 100% as a senior, which was bad news for Greater Metro Conference opponents. He showed enough last year and over the off-season to earn a scholarship offer from Ball State, giving the Cardinals a verbal commitment this spring. He's an outstanding run blocker who envelops his defender and moves him where he needs to.

Nathan Veloz, Oak Creek - "Nathan is a four-year starter and three-year First Team All-Conference selection," Oak Creek coach Mike Bartholomew said. "I had the opportunity to coach Gabe Carimi for the week of the WFCA All-Star Game and Nathan is better. More athletic, more physical." Veloz is committed to Northern Illinois.

Tag(s): News Archive  News  Travis Wilson  Senior FB Awards