PORTLAND, Maine — Joe Esposito, a running back and middle linebacker who led Portland High School’s football team to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the Class A state championship game, has been named winner of the 45th annual Fitzpatrick Trophy.
The Portland-based award is presented annually to the state’s top high school senior football player, and was presented during a banquet Sunday.
Esposito, who previously was named the Class A North and Maine Gatorade player of the year, rushed for 1,789 yards and was in on 142 tackles for the Bulldogs, who finished with a 10-1 record after falling to Thornton Academy of Saco in the state final.
He becomes the fifth Portland player to win the award and the first since Carl Frye in 2002.
Esposito is undecided on his college plans.
Esposito was selected from among a trio of finalists that also included Thornton Academy quarterback Austin McCrum and Brunswick running back-linebacker Will Bessey.
McCrum passed for 1,956 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading Thornton to its second straight Class A state championship and third title in the last four years. McCrum, who will play at Lafayette College next year, also rushed for 358 yards and four touchdowns for the Golden Trojans and was named the Class A South player of the year.
Bessey rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and 55 touchdowns during his three-year varsity career, including 1,590 yards and 24 touchdowns last fall in leading Brunswick to its second straight Class B regional championship. Bessey, the 2015 Class B North player of the year, will play at Bates College beginning next year.
