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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 went on to great success in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. After an All-American career at UW, Thomas was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl each of his first ten years in the league and is a sure-fire Hall of Famer.

The pre-season watch list was trimmed down to 15 semi-finalists, and seven finalists for the award have now been selected. Winners are announced the week of the state finals.

Monroe has been dominant in the running game again this year, with two players over 1200 yards on the ground. Isaac Bunker is the best lineman for the Cheesemakers, coming off a WFCA Honorable Mention All-State junior season with more accolades ahead. He’s devastating as a trap blocker and equally impressive when pulling out in front on sweeps. Bunker has a good frame and still has room to get bigger, and gave a commitment to the Naval Academy. "He is a devastating blocker that loves contact," said head coach Toby Golembiewski.

Ben Buxa is one of the top interior linemen in the state, earning First Team All-Conference recognition on both the offensive and defensive lines a year ago, also sharing Offensive Lineman of the Year honors. Once he gets his hands on you as a blocker it is lights out, as he is a mauler on the inside. Buxa committed to North Dakota this summer. "Ben is by far the best offensive lineman I've ever coached," said Lakeside head coach Paul Bauer. 

Dante Draghicchio is the consummate late bloomer, receiving limited playing time last year for the Pirates but continuing to work hard and get bigger this off-season. He’s had a breakout senior campaign, earning Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in the FRCC-North. He's added a number of collegiate offers in the last few months.

Zack Mlsna is a monster of a man up front on both sides of the ball for Cashton, earning First Team All-Conference on both sides of the ball as well as Scenic Bluffs Lineman of the Year recognition for a second straight season. He was also a WFCA Honorable Mention All-State offensive lineman last year with more awards to come. Not surprisingly, on film he dominates small school competition, where his pure strength and enormous frame are too much for opponents to handle. 

Brandt Rice looks to dominate any defensive lineman across from him, finishing blocks, often taking the opponent to the ground. Rice was a unanimous First Team All-Conference choice in the VFA. He’s certainly got the size and temperament, and colleges have taken notice. He’s received more than a dozen Division 1 offers.

Hartford has featured a number of big, talented offensive linemen the last few seasons, but head coach John Redders says Jackson Stortz is the move devastating blocker they've had since current Denver Bronco Quinn Meinerz was around. He's played at left guard, right guard, tight end, fullback, and jumbo tackle this year. Stortz received a good amount of collegiate interest before giving a verbal commitment to Northern Iowa this summer.

Ben Youngworth was a unanimous First Team All-Conference choice in the Fox Valley Association for a second straight year, grabbing Offensive Lineman of the Year accolades as a senior. He’s a very technical lineman who has outstanding punch and does a great job keeping a base. 

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.