Spencer Cooke of Cheverus, Louis DiTomasso of Wells and Jordan Hersom of Leavitt were named finalists for the Fitzpatrick Trophy on Friday, emerging as the three leading vote-getters from a field of 12 semifinalists for the annual trophy that goes to the top senior high school football player in the state.

One of them will be awarded the trophy Jan. 15 at the annual banquet in Portland. The one-time vote is done by the state’s coaches and members of the media who cover high school football.

“It’s definitely exciting,” said Hersom about being a finalist.

“I feel grateful and very fortunate. Not a lot of guys get the opportunity to be a finalist. It’s great to be recognized. I feel fortunate to have played on such a strong team with talented teammates. This is really a team honor because without my teammates, I wouldn’t have the opportunity,” he said.

Hersom is the first Leavitt quarterback out of the last four to move from semifinalist to finalist.

“It’s a credit to the players and the coaching staff to have a player as a finalist,” said coach Mike Hathaway. “A program doesn’t get an individual award like this without some pretty good people around.”

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Hersom has started for the Hornets since his freshman year. He played all four years on defense and started two ways for three seasons, first as a halfback and the last two as quarterback. With Hersom at quarterback, the Hornets have gone 22-2. Hersom’s cousin, Jack, won the Fitzpatrick Trophy in 2007 as a Lawrence High School quarterback.

All three played on state championship teams in their careers. Cooke, a running back/defensive back, has been a part of back-to-back championship teams this season and last.

DiTomasso, a fullback/linebacker, sparked Wells to the Class B state title this fall.

“I was pretty pumped after my coach told me I was a finalist,” said DiTomasso, who has already been named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year and the Class B Campbell Conference Player of the Year.

“I was fortunate to have been on a strong team which put me in a good position to succeed. This is just as much a team award as it is an individual award,” he said.

DiTomasso rushed for 1,350 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. On defense, he had 133 tackles.

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“Louie is one of the best players in the state,” said coach Tim Roche. “We’re proud to have him as a Fitzy finalist.”

Cooke, a running back/defensive back, is the second straight Cheverus player to be a finalist. Last year, quarterback Peter Gwilym won the Fitzpatrick Trophy.

“It’s a great honor and an unbelievable feeling,” Cooke said.

“It’s a prestigious award and I’m honored to be in the running for it,” he said.

Cooke was Cheverus’ top ball carrier through eight games of the season and all of last season. In the eighth game, a matchup with Deering, Cooke broke a bone in his lower leg. It forced him to miss the regional playoffs. He made a brief appearance in the state championship game.

Cooke rushed for 1,117 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. In two seasons, he had over 2,000 yards.

“I think Spencer has been an excellent three-year player for us,” Cheverus coach John Wolfgram said.

“He was an explosive runner and our best coverage corner back. Spencer was not only a good player, but a good teammate. We’ve been graced with some very good players,” he said.

While performance on the field is a major component of being considered for the award, it’s not the only one. Academic performance is also taken into account. All three finalists have strong grade point averages.


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