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Joe Thomas Award Finalists for top senior offensive lineman

10/27/2016, 3:00pm 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 nine years in the league.
 
The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 15 semi-finalists, and nine finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners are announced the week of the state finals.

Joe Thomas Award Finalists:

Tyler Beach, Port Washington - Beach is a three-time First Team All-Conference selection in the North Shore Conference, likely to improve upon last year's Honorable Mention All-State recognition. The senior entertained scholarship offers from a host of D1 schools, but gave a commitment to stay in-state at Wisconsin. "Tyler is the best offensive lineman that I have ever coached," said head coach John Bunyan. "Tyler plays really physical, finishing blocks and is mobile enough to get to the second level. He has tremendous feet and pass protects very well with his large athletic frame and long arms."

Isaac Benner, Chippewa Falls - Benner was a First Team All-State choice by the WFCA last year and could garner significant postseason honors once again. He's a massive figure up front for head coach Chuck Raykovich, using his size to often overwhelm defenders. In the team's double-wing offense, he is also asked to pull and to get to the next level to block safeties and linebackers, something he does very well also.

Logan Bruss, Kimberly - Bruss is still growing into his body but has already shown loads of potential. A First Team All-State choice last year, he repeated as VFA-North Lineman of the Year this season. "Logan is a dominant football player," said head coach Steve Jones. "He is extremely physical at the point of attack, he is very athletic for his size, and most importantly, he is an outstanding teammate."

Mohammed Elazazy, Menasha - Elazazy missed some time as a junior but has made up for it with a huge senior season as the Bluejays went unbeaten in the regular season. Committed to Illinois State over a handful of D1 offers, his dominating size isn't his only attribute. "When he gets his hands on you, it's often all over," Menasha coach Jeramie Korth said. "I have never seen a big kid get pancakes and then also get another block or two at the second and third levels."

Alex Fenton, Menomonie - A bit of an under the radar prospect early on, Fenton played at defensive tackle and tight end much of the time last year for the Mustangs and head coach Joe LaBuda. Still, he showed enough to earn scholarship offers from Wisconsin and Michigan, committing to the Badgers. He transitioned to more of a full-time role on the offensive line and has blossomed this season. He has good feet for such a big kid, with excellent power in his lower body.

Jordan Gallagher, Racine Horlick - Gallagher could be a finalist candidate on both sides of the ball, as he has been dominating on the interior of the Rebels line. As an interior offensive line prospect, he shows outstanding strength when engaging defenders directly in front of him, and when asked to pull, is surprisingly nimble and athletic to get in front of the ballcarrier.

Matt Henningsen, Menomonee Falls - Henningsen was a two-way standout for the Indians this year, rarely leaving the field. Being 6'5, 265 certainly helps, but he is powerful when locking on to a defender, able to drive them backwards with regularity. He has good movement for a player his size as well, be it getting to the second level on blocks, blocking downfield, or in the pass set.

Kayden Lyles, Middleton - Lyles' family made the move from Arizona to Wisconsin with his family this summer. Kayden had offers from a Who's Who of college programs, but gave a commitment to Wisconsin last year. Ranked among the top players in the entire country, he is a dominating presence up front, moving around the Cardinals' offensive line this year. The Big Eight Lineman of the Year, he's been an instant impact for Middleton. "He is absolutely dominating, and has a complete game -- run blocking, pass blocking, pull and trap blocking, etc." said head coach Tim Simon. "He has exceptional technique and is very athletic (not just a big strong young man)."

Blake Smithback, Waunakee - Smithback is a multi-year starter for the "Hogs", as Waunakee calls their big guys up front. He is a two-time Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Badger-North and has given a verbal commitment to South Dakota State, with head coach Pat Rice speaking very highly of him.

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