Recently named Gatorade Maine high school football player of the year Joe Fitzpatrick of Portland’s Cheverus High School is among 13 semifinalists announced Saturday for the 44th annual James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy symbolic of the state’s top senior student-athlete in the sport.
Fitzpatrick is one of five nominees from Class A schools, along with Kevin Barrett of state champion Thornton Academy of Saco, Zach Davis of Eastern Maine champion Windham, Milani Hicks of Scarborough and Ryan Ruhlin of Portland.
Class B semifinalists are Tayler Carrier of Cony of Augusta, Brett Gerry of state champion Marshwood of South Berwick and Maurice Johnson of Westbrook.
Peter Boyer of Foxcroft Academy and Chris Carney of Wells represent Class C among the semifinalists, while Class D honorees are Kyle Flaherty of state champion Oak Hill of Wales, Tyler Frost of Dirigo of Dixfield and Matthew Stewart of Bucksport.
Coaches from around the state nominated candidates for the award, then the Fitzpatrick Trophy committee selected semifinalists for consideration by the state’s coaches and sports media. Three finalists will be announced later this month, with the winner to be recognized during a January banquet.
Fitzpatrick, a running back, linebacker and team captain, rushed for 2,071 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading Cheverus to a berth in the Eastern A final. Previously named the Eastern A player of the year, Fitzpatrick added 16 tackles and one quarterback sack on defense while averaging 39 yards per punt this fall.
Fitzpatrick also competes in track at Cheverus, where he carries a 2.86 grade-point average. He participates in Habitat For Humanity and is active in his school’s civil rights and Homefront organizations.
Barrett, a tight end, wide receiver and linebacker, had 18 receptions for 351 yards and five touchdowns for Thornton Academy this year. He also plays basketball for the Golden Trojans, and along with a 3.94 GPA in the classroom is a National Honor Society member and has volunteered in youth sports and other on-campus and off-campus activities.
Boyer led Foxcroft to the Eastern C semifinals, rushing for 1,274 yards and 22 touchdowns on offense and contributing 91 tackles, one sack and two interceptions on defense. The halfback and linebacker, who has a 3.4 GPA, also runs track for the Ponies, plays in several bands and is a volunteer youth football coach.
Carney, a running back and linebacker at Wells, rushed for 1,880 yards and scored 28 touchdowns — including two on punt returns and a third on a kickoff returns. He also contributed 115 tackles on defense. Carney, who carries a 2.75 GPA, also serves as a police department aide and assists elderly citizens.
Carrier, a wide receiver and defensive back with a 2.75 GPA, had 70 pass receptions for 905 yards while totaling 81 tackles as a team captain at Cony this fall. He also plays baseball and volunteers with Augusta’s youth football and baseball programs.
Davis earned All-Eastern A honors at linebacker after contributing 62 tackles, three forced fumbles, a blocked extra-point kick and a defensive touchdown for Windham. At tight end he added 14 catches for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Also a lacrosse player, Davis holds a 3.75 GPA while serving on Leadership Council and volunteering at a soup kitchen and with the local youth football program.
Flaherty, a running back and linebacker, helped Oak Hill win its second straight Class D state title, rushing for 1,049 yards with 13 touchdowns while also playing defense and serving as the Raiders’ punter. He also plays lacrosse at Oak Hill, is a National Honor Society member and volunteers with the local youth football program. Flaherty carries a 3.49 GPA.
Frost, a fullback, linebacker and team captain for Dirigo, rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns while kicking 27 extra points, totaling more than 100 tackles and averaging 36 yards per punt. Frost has a 4.0 grade-point average and also plays basketball and baseball for the Cougars.
Gerry led Marshwood to its first state title since 1989, rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns while kicking 22 extra points. The team captain also was the Hawks’ third-leading tackler as a linebacker while also handling punts and kickoffs. Gerry, who holds a 3.75 GPA, is on the school’s wrestling team and volunteers with the youth wrestling program.
Hicks, a wide receiver and cornerback for Scarborough, had 20 receptions for 389 yards and five touchdowns while adding 45 tackles and four interceptions on defense. Hicks has a 3.5 GPA., plays basketball, is active in Key Club, Model United Nations, Math Team and volunteers at the local veterans’ home as well as with youth football and basketball efforts.
Johnson gained 1,211 rushing yards and scored 17 touchdowns as a halfback for Westbrook, and on defense the safety amassed 47 tackles, two Interceptions and a fumble recovery. The team captain also contributed eight two-point conversions and one punt return for a touchdown. Carrying a 2.75 GPA, Johnson holds a part-time job and volunteers with the youth football program.
Ruhlin, a tight end and defensive end for Portland with a 4.0 grade-point average, earned All-Eastern A recognition on offense and also punted for the Bulldogs. The team captain also plays hockey and baseball and is active in SADD, the school newspaper, the executive board of his class and as a peer tutor.
Stewart, a quarterback and defensive back at Bucksport, completed 65 percent of his passes this fall while throwing for more than 1,100 yards and 19 touchdowns. Stewart also played defensive back for Bucksport as well as serving on the punt and kickoff return teams. Stewart, who carries a 4.0 grade-point average, also wrestles and plays baseball for the Golden Bucks, attended Dirigo Boys State and is part of the school’s National Honor Society and Student Council.
