Cony senior Chandler Shostak isn’t one for making speeches.

“I’ll practice reading it, but I won’t read it in front of a lot of people,” he said.

Shostak is preparing to speak today at the Holiday Inn By The Bay, site of the 42nd Fitzpatrick Trophy award banquet.

Shostak, a standout wide receiver/defensive back, is one of three finalists for the award, given annually to the top senior in the state.

“It’s exciting,” Shostak said. “I’m sure I’ll be nervous when I have to stand up there at the podium and read it before all those people.”

Shostak joins Cheverus running back Donald Goodrich and Sanford running back Alex Shain as finalists. The trio was selected out of pool of 10 semifinalists by members of the media and football coaches in all three classes.

“We’re really excited for Chandler,” Cony coach Robby Vachon said. “It’s a tremendous honor just to be named a semifinalist, and to be a finalist is tremendous as well. Statistically, he’s as good as any candidate, if not a little bit better.”

Shostak enjoyed a record-breaking season for Cony, which reached the Pine Tree Conference Class A championship game for the first time in 20 years. He caught 58 passes for 853 yards and 12 touchdowns — all single-season school records.

Shostak was a force on the defensive side of the ball as well. He finished with 71 tackles and a state-best 11 interceptions, which also set a single-season Cony record. Shostak also ranks 28th in a class of 179 students.

“He had an incredible season,” Vachon said.

So did the other finalists.

Goodrich rushed for 1,722 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. He averaged 8.65 yards a carry and had 43 tackles. He was ranked 58th in a class of 122. Shain rushed for 1,400 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. He was also ranked 20th in a class of 259.

“I haven’t seen them play, but I know they are pretty good,” Shostak said. “To be honest, I don’t know what my chances are.”

Shostak will try to become the second straight player from the East to win the award — Leavitt quarterback Jordan Hersom won it last season.

He would also become the first student-athlete from Cony to win the award.

“It would be amazing,” Shostak said. “It would be a great feeling to get that trophy. Oh yeah, it’s been on my mind a lot. I think about it every day.”

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@centralmaine.com