Two running backs and a wide receiver from Class A schools are the finalists for the 42nd Fitzpatrick Trophy, awarded annually to the top senior high school football player in Maine.

The three finalists, selected from among 12 semifinalists by a vote of football coaches and members of the media, are tailback/defensive end Donald Goodrich of Cheverus, halfback/linebacker Alex Shain of Sanford and wide receiver/safety Chandler Shostak of Cony.

Their winner will be announced Jan. 20 during a banquet at the Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland.

Goodrich was a leader on both sides of the ball for the Stags.

“He was the type of kid who played hard all the time,” Cheverus Coach John Wolfgram said. “He had a great motor and played hard all the time.”

Goodrich, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound tailback who averaged 8.65 yards per carry, also lined up at defensive end. “He played (that position) extremely well for his size. Not real big, but really explosive,” Wolfgram said.

Goodrich worked extremely hard to prepare to play football.

“In the offseason, he worked very hard on his conditioning, strength and his quickness,” Wolfgram explained. “In season, he was a real leader with his work habits, just his consistency and effort. He was a real leader for us and set the tone for our offense and defense.”

Shain, a 6-1, 206-pound tailback and inside linebacker, led the Spartans to a 5-3 record and a quarterfinal berth in the Western Class A playoffs.

“He’s a tremendous athlete, and he’s also very bright and a super, super good kid,” Sanford Coach Mike Fallon said.

Shain, who is being recruited by Football Championship Subdivision and Division II schools, led Sanford to its first Class A track and field state title in the spring, winning three events as a sprinter and a jumper.

Shostak is the first Cony player to be named a Fitzy finalist.

“As you can imagine, we’re pretty excited here,” Cony Coach Robby Vachon said. “A couple of years ago, we had Luke Duncklee here, who was a semifinalist, but not one of the three finalists. This is the first time we’ve had someone in the top three.”

Shostak led the state in receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches and interceptions.

Vachon said each of the three finalists are deserving candidates.

“They’re all smart,” he said. “They’re the all the best player on their team. They all had great statistics and, you know, they all had great seasons team-wise.”

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH