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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 five finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners will be announced the week of the state finals.

Alex Belongia of Rice Lake is one of the top two-way players in the state, earning First Team All-Conference as a receiver and defensive back, with Offensive Player of the Year honors. He could have easily been a finalist at either spot, but as the state leader in interceptions with eight, we've got him on defense. He also has 67 tackles for the Warriors, who are into Level 3. "I immediately thought about Coach Bowerman's comment about Jim Leonhard when he was playing at Flambeau high school: 'On one play he was making a tackle behind the line of scrimmage, so we would try to throw where he wouldn't be but somehow he was there picking it off!' That basically describes how opposing coaches have talked to us about Al."

DeForest's Logan Engeseth was a First Team All-Conference player and the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in the Badger-Large after a strong senior season. He recorded 39 tackles, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, scoring three total defensive touchdowns. "Logan is a big, physical safety to impact the game from the back end, both vs. the run and pass," said head coach Aaron Mack.

Daniel Martens is a three-year varsity performer for the Franklin Sabers, with the skills and ability to move all over the formation, from deep safety to in the box linebacker. As a senior he leads the team with 92 tackles, adding four tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and a pick-six. "Dan is the best safety I have ever coached," said head coach Louis Brown. "He leads our team in tackles and to me is our best overall football player."

Middleton senior Cole Toennies is a First Team All-Conference selection as not just a defensive back but also a receiver for the Cardinals. On the defensive side of the ball he had 40 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two blocked kicks. He also caught 36 passes for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense. "He is the biggest playmaker we have had since Nick Toon," said head coach Jason Pertzborn. "We asked him to play man-to-man all season against everyone's top wide receiver. he gave up zero touchdowns and had zero penalties."

Like several finalists for the Jim Leonhard Award, Cole Trimborn of Nicolet was a two-way standout who played a big role in the Knights qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 1989. An outstanding athlete with elite measurables and times, he put those on display with 80 tackles, five interceptions, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and defensive touchdown this season. " He is a big playmaker in big moments," said head coach Al Moroder. "Cole had a special talent to run with anyone deep and be able to work down and make plays at the line of scrimmage. His interception against Cedarburg stifled a drive that allowed us to battle for an OT win."

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.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.