Beginning this year, Maine high school linemen will no longer be the neglected members of their teams.
The Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Linemen Awards will be awarded annually to two seniors who epitomize the character, leadership and perseverance of Gaziano, the late Cape Elizabeth businessman and former Holy Cross All-American lineman, who died a year ago at 92.
Gaziano was the founder and owner of National Distributors of South Portland and a longtime contributor to local sports.
Winners will be selected based on their leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
An offensive and defensive lineman each will be awarded a trophy and a scholarship of $2,500 at a banquet on Jan. 23, beginning 11:30 a.m. at the Augusta Civic Center.
The 11 finalists were named Wednesday: five offensive and six defensive linemen. The offensive finalists were Matt Archer, Mt. Blue; Zach Dulac, Cheverus; Jake Huerfano, Waterville; Nick Ramsdell, Windham and Matt Welch, South Portland.
The defensive candidates are Trevor Bates, Westbrook; Chris Desmond, John Bapst; Christian Durland, Mountain Valley; Jack Horton, Falmouth; Nate Martel, Bonny Eagle and Connor McAleney, Cape Elizabeth.
Besides the two winners, the runners-up in each category will receive $500 scholarships.
The winners’ names will be engraved on permanent plaques that will rotate each year among their high schools.
The candidates were nominated by their coaches. To qualify, candidates must be seniors who competed at the varsity level for a minimum of two years. They must have an exemplary record of athletic and non-athletic citizenship. They also have to submit a student essay and a game film playing against their toughest opponent.
Gerry Raymond, the only lineman to win the Fitzpatrick Trophy (1977), and current University of Maine lineman Raibonne Charles of Windham will be the banquet’s guest speakers.
Raymond, who played at Lewiston High, continued his career as a top lineman at Boston College, followed by a brief stay in the NFL and three seasons in the USFL.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
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