SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Curtis McLeod of Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Alec Clark of Winslow and Dylan Collin of Mount Desert Island of Bar Harbor are among the 15 semifinalists announced Monday for the 2015 Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards.
McLeod was one of eight defensive linemen nominated for the honor, which awards the largest high school scholarships of its kind in the country.
Other candidates for the defensive lineman award are Elijah Ayotte of Thornton Academy of Saco, Tyrell Gullatt of Windham, Logan Herodes of Falmouth, Travon Bradford of Kennebunk, Justin Guerrette of Cape Elizabeth, Frank Curran of Cheverus of Portland, and Conner Elwell of Oak Hill of Wales.
Joining Clark and Collin as offensive line semifinalists are Charles Kovarik of Portland, Wiley Hollen of Bonny Eagle of Standish, Isaac Patry of Thornton Academy, Gerry Valliere of Windham and Drew Chamberlain of Falmouth.
McLeod was named to the All-LTC first team this fall both as an offensive guard and nose guard while leading MCI to its second straight appearance in the Class D state championship.
Clark was the Class C North Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference choice at offensive guard and linebacker as he helped Winslow win its second straight Class C state championship during a second consecutive 11-0 season.
Collin, a first-team All-Class C North center and linebacker, helped MDI to a 7-3 record and a berth in the regional semifinals.
The semifinalists were chosen from among 25 nominees, and in the weeks ahead the Gaziano Award selection committee will interview each of the surviving candidates to determine the finalists. Award winners will be selected based on strong leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
One offensive and one defensive lineman each will receive $5,000 and a first-place trophy, and four runners-up will receive $1,000 each. The award winners will be announced during a Jan. 30 luncheon at the Augusta Civic Center.
The scholarship and awards program for Maine high school football linemen was created in 2010 in memory of Frank J. Gaziano, founder of National Distributors in South Portland and a former college All-American and professional football player with a lifelong passion for local sports.
The selection committee for the 2015 Frank J. Gaziano Lineman Awards is chaired by Matt Perkins and includes Mark Bonnevie, Pete Cloutier, Chris Davis, Peter DeSimon, Mike Haley, Charles Hews, Luke Libby, Ed McAleney, Dan O’Connell, Bob Sinclair and Steve Stinson.
