AUGUSTA, Maine — Just a week ago, Alec Clark was competing for Winslow High School at the Class B North cheering championships.
On Saturday, he was honored as the top offensive lineman in the state.
Clark and Frank Curran of Cheverus High School in Portland were named recipients of the annual Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Linemen Awards during a luncheon ceremony at the Augusta Civic Center.
Each winner received a trophy, a leather jacket and a $5,000 scholarship, the largest high school football scholarship of its kind in the country.
“It’s quite an honor to receive this award,” said Clark, who played offensive guard at Winslow. “First, I would like to thank the Gaziano family and the committee behind all this for selecting me for such an honor and award. I would also like to thank the ones in the community, especially those at Winslow High School, it’s an amazing place and community, including the coaching staff.
“I would also like to thank my family. Growing up with six brothers, you kind of fight for the food at the dinner table and you know what … sometimes you make out and sometimes you don’t. I love my brothers to death.”
A four-year starter for the Black Raiders, Clark never missed a game during his high school career and as a junior and senior helped coach Mike Siviski’s club to back-to-back 11-0 seasons and Class C state championships.
This past fall Clark also led the Winslow defense with 54 tackles and five quarterback sacks at middle linebacker and was named the Class C North player of the year as well as a first-team all-conference choice on both offense and defense.
Away from the field, Clark is a three-time state powerlifting champion for his age group and holds several national records. He also enjoys horseback riding and is a member of the 4-H Club. He volunteers by coaching youth football and cheerleading and has supported a local homeless shelter. Clark is also a business owner of A.C Pumpkins in Winslow.
Curran, a three-year starter at Cheverus, won the Gaziano defensive lineman of the year award after finishing his senior season with 63 tackles and five sacks and being named the top lineman in Class A North.
Off the field Curran has helped with community cleanup projects, volunteered at a local food kitchen, helped with food drives and participated in several events to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Runners-up for the Gaziano Awards were offensive linemen Charles Kovarik from Portland High School and Isaac Patry from Thornton Academy in Saco and defensive linemen Elijah Ayotte from Thornton Academy and Tyrell Gullatt from Windham High School. Each runner-up received a $1,000 scholarship, trophy and a leather jacket with the Gaziano Awards logo.
Finalists considered for the annual Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards epitomize the character, leadership, and perseverance of Gaziano. The top recipients were selected by an awards committee based on strong leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
All eligible applicants must have been a high school senior in 2015, competed at the varsity level for a minimum of two years and have an exemplary record of positive athletic and non-athletic citizenship. As part of the selection process, the students submitted an essay and game film featuring each lineman against his toughest competition.
