He was the quick and elusive spoon that stirred the pot for the Gorham High football team for the last three years. Senior running back Justin Villacci was honored recently by being selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the James J. Fitzpatrick Award – presented each year to the best senior football player in the state of Maine.

Villacci helped the Rams to a 7-2 record this year with a combination of speed, determination and that all-important character trait of leadership. He was a hard-hitting defensive back, but his ability to make plays when he carried the football is where he helped his team the most. He had 146 rushing attempts for more than 1,300 yards, averaging nine yards per carry. He caught 12 passes for nearly 500 yards and he scored 27 touchdowns during the regular season. He also posted an impressive 40 yard average per kick return to clearly prove he was a potent scoring threat whenever he touched the football.

“It’s a great thing for him,” Gorham coach Dave Kilborn said about Villacci’s nomination as a Fitzpatrick semifinalist. “He’s been our go-to guy for the last three years. His stats are unbelievable, but he’s also shown the ability to do it off the field as well.”

He opened the season with a four touchdown performance at South Portland and he soon added a five touchdown effort in week three against Deering. He topped that highlight-reel evening one week later when he crossed the goal line six times in a win against Cheverus as the Rams started the year with seven straight wins.

Villacci scored his team’s only touchdown in a 21-8 loss to Bonny Eagle and he scored both of the Rams’ touchdowns in their 27-14 West A quarterfinal loss to Deering.

The Fitzpatrick Award is not only intended to honor a top-notch football player, but it’s also meant to honor a solid student-athlete in the classroom who’s involved in his school and/or community. Villacci is noteworthy in both regards with an academic average of 84 and his service as a youth and community volunteer.

The other semifinalists include Evan Barker (Leavitt), Nick Bourassa (Jay), Jim Bump (Cape Elizabeth), Jeff Elliott (Massabesic), Joseph Gilbert (Mt. Blue), John Hersom (Lawrence), John Hussey (Marshwood), John Onesti (Bonny Eagle), Topher Pochebit (Cheverus), Kyle Stilphen (Gardiner), and Andrew Weiss (Rockland).

The field of 12 semifinalists will be trimmed to three finalists in the next month. The names of those three finalists will be released on Sunday, Dec. 23. The Fitzpatrick Trophy banquet will be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland on Sunday, Jan. 20, where the 37th recipient of the annual award will be announced.