This season’s field of contenders for the James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy appears to be wide open. Unlike many years, there are no clear-cut favorites to win the bronze statue in January.
The Fitzpatrick Trophy has been awarded annually to Maine’s top senior high school football player since the 1971 season. The main criteria are on-field performance, academics, and service both at school and in the community.
Each high school may submit one nominee by Nov. 16. The trophy’s selection committee culls the list of nominees into a group of 10 semifinalists whose names are put on a ballot and sent to the state’s football coaches and sports media. The top three vote-getters become the finalists for the trophy, which will be awarded at a banquet in Portland on Jan. 24.
Players whose teams are still in the playoffs have a chance to showcase their talents and strengthen their cases. Final impressions often stick.
“It certainly helps a candidate if his team is still playing,” said Brunswick Coach Dan Cooper. “The winner should have a good postseason run.”
Voters also tend to look at a player’s career rather than just his senior season.
Here, in alphabetical order, are some likely contenders:
• Connor Aube, Falmouth running back/defensive back
Falmouth Coach John Fitzsimmons called Aube “one of the best running backs in the state.”
Aube become a starter two games into his freshman year. This season he has scored 16 touchdowns and rushed for 900 yards. He has 400 yards as a pass receiver, and 300 yards combined in punt and kickoff returns.
“It’s Connor’s versatility that stands out,” said Fitzsimmons. “He has outstanding defensive skills. He returns kickoffs and punts, and rarely leaves the field. We’re a much more balanced team with Connor in the lineup.”
• Jack Bernatchez, Messalonskee fullback/safety
Bernatchez has been a three-year starter. He rushed for 1,100 yards and scored 11 touchdowns this fall for the Eagles, who missed the playoffs. Bernatchez scored seven touchdowns in one game against Hampden Academy.
“Jack fits all the criteria for a Fitzpatrick Trophy candidate,” said Coach Brad Bishop. “He’s an excellent football player, very coachable and a very bright kid. He wants to study engineering in college and is looking at schools like WPI, RPI and MIT.”
• Will Bessey, Brunswick running back/defensive back
Bessey has led the Dragons in rushing and scoring for the second straight year. In 2015 he’s carried the ball 163 times for 1,301 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He has six receptions for 157 yards and three receiving TDs. Bessey also has thrown for a touchdown and returned an interception for another. The Dragons won the Eastern Class B title last year and are the top seed this fall in Class B North.
“Will has good grades,” Cooper said. “His service record is strong and he’s been a good player for three years. He has as good a chance as anyone (to win the award).”
Bessey would have more yardage but only played the first half in three games. Two were blowouts (Hampden Academy, Nokomis) and one he was sick (Brewer).
• Joe Esposito, Portland running back/linebacker
Esposito, selected as Class A North Player of the Year, led the division with 16 touchdowns. He finished second in rushing with 1,057 yards and led Class A North in tackles with 93.
“Joe has had an impact on both sides of the ball,” said Jim Hartman, coach of the only undefeated team in Class A. “He’s an outstanding football player and a great student.”
Esposito has been a three-year starter at linebacker and a two-year starter at running back.
“Joe makes all the defensive calls,” Hartman said. “That’s very rare to have a high school player with that kind of knowledge of the game.”
• Dane Johnson, Bangor running back/defensive back
Johnson won the Class A North rushing title with 1,092 yards on 162 carries.
“He’s been a workhorse for us, said Coach Al Mosca. “He carried the ball 20 to 30 times a game.”
Johnson, a three-year starter, rushed for over 200 yards in two games this season and gained nearly 200 in another game. As a sophomore he played fullback and safety. He has played tailback the last two seasons while playing various positions on defense.
• Austin McCrum, Thornton Academy quarterback
McCrum hopes to direct the Golden Trojans to a second straight Class A state championship. Thornton is ranked No. 1 in Class A South.
McCrum, who committed early to Lafayette College, has thrown for 18 touchdowns and rushed for another. He has 1,602 passing yards and 227 yards rushing, which ranks third on the team. As a junior he passed for 1,596 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 374 yards and three touchdowns.
Other players who could merit consideration are Seth Powers of Lawrence, Sam Peck of Greely, Logan Rogerson of Brewer and Reid Shostak of Cony.
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