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The Jim Leonhard Award is given annually to the top senior defensive back as part of the WSN Senior Football Awards. The award is named after former Flambeau High School and University of Wisconsin athlete Jim Leonhard, who went on to great success in the NFL with the Bills, Ravens, Jets, Broncos, and Saints.

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.

Jim Leonhard Award Finalists:

Lucas Finnessy, Sussex Hamilton - A WFCA Large Schools All-State pick last season, Finnessey is a three-year starter for the Chargers. His numbers are down a bit from last year when he recorded six interceptions, as team's largely stopped throwing his direction. He became increasingly involved in the offense as well, catching 25 passes for 314 yards and six touchdowns.

Logan Geissler, Bay Port - A three-year varsity player and returning WFCA Large School All-State choice, Geissler is part of a defense that has dominated this year in keeping the Pirates unbeaten into the state finals. The senior defensive back has 48 tackles and eight interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, for head coach Gary Westerman.

Sam Jung, Neenah - Jung is a three-time First Team All-Conference choice for the Rockets and his father, head coach Steve Jung. Committed to North Dakota State as a preferred walk-on, Jung was voted the Defensive Back of the Year in the VFA-South as a senior. He has 84 total tackles, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown in 2019. He's also an outstanding return specialist and has more than 400 yards receiving with seven offensive touchdowns.

Dominick Landphier, Sun Prairie - Landphier is often left on an island guarding the opposition's best receiver in the Cardinals' defense and has delivered. Opponents complete just 42% of passes against the team's defense. Landphier has recorded 43 tackles with two interceptions as a senior in earning First Team All-Conference recognition.

Amaun Williams, Milwaukee Riverside - Williams has been a dynamic playmaker for several seasons for the Tigers, playing much bigger than his 5'8" size due to outstanding length and leaping ability. Committed to Wisconsin as a preferred walk-on, he has been named the league's Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons. Williams is a returning WFCA Large School All-State choice. As a senior, he recorded 32 tackles and six interceptions in the regular season.

Cole Wisniewski, Sparta - Wisniewski was a dynamic weapon on offense with more than 1800 total yards and 22 touchdowns responsible for as the team's quarterback, but he was an elite defender as well. The Mississippi Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, he recorded 75 tackles with two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. A North Dakota State recruit, he will likely play in the secondary for the Bison.

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

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