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Thornton Academy’s Connor Ayoob runs to the end zone for one of his four touchdowns in the Class A state championship game. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

This season’s Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, Connor Ayoob of Thornton Academy, and last year’s Gatorade winner, Cordell Jones of Portland, headline the list of 10 semifinalists for the 54th James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy.

The semifinalists were announced Saturday evening by the Fitzpatrick Trophy committee. The award honors the top senior football player in Maine.

The state’s high school varsity football coaches and members of the media will participate in a ranked-choice vote of the semifinalists to determine the winner. Four finalists will be announced at a later date.

The winner of the Fitzpatrick Trophy will be announced Jan. 18 at a banquet held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. In addition to on-field performance, academic performance, community service and character are considered by the selection committee.

Ayoob set Thornton single-season records with 2,102 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns to lead the Trojans to the Class A title.

Portland quarterback Cordell Jones carries the ball on a long run during the Class A state final. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

Jones accounted for over 2,300 yards of total offense, rushing for 24 touchdowns and passing for another five, and was in on 93 tackles while leading the Bulldogs to their third straight appearance in the Class A final.


The other eight semifinalists are, in alphabetical order: Westbrook linebacker Tony Bongomin, who made 172 tackles for the Class B champions; Old Orchard Beach running back/linebacker Wes Gallant, who rushed for 1,604 yards and 27 touchdowns; Leavitt slot receiver/defensive back Mason Henderson (over 1,100 yards of offense); South Portland wide receiver/defensive back Darius Johnson (50 receptions, 59 tackles); Bonny Eagle quarterback Colin Moran (1,420 passing yards, 945 rushing yards); Cony quarterback Parker Morin (2,703 passing yards, 36 touchdowns); Oxford Hills wide receiver Cameron Pulkkinen (50 catches, 514 yards); and Kennebunk running back/linebacker Austin West (1,647 yards and 19 TDs rushing, 64.5 tackles).

Steve Craig reports primarily about Maine’s active high school sports scene and, more recently, the Portland Hearts of Pine men's professional soccer team. His first newspaper job was covering Maine...

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