PORTLAND (AP) — The annual James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn By the Bay on Sunday, with Portland High School’s Joe Esposito taking home the award.

Esposito beat out Thornton Academy’s Austin McCrum and Brunswick running back Will Bessey.

The trophy is awarded to the top senior high school football player in the state, based on voting by coaches and media.

Esposito, the 45th winner of the Fitzpatrick Trophy, led the Bulldogs to the State Class A championship this past season, with his team falling short against McCrum’s Trojans in the title game. Esposito rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and made 142 tackles on defense.

Bessey had a solid season for the Dragons, leading him into the final three. Brunswick advanced to the State Class B title game against Marshwood for the second straight season.

Behind Bessey’s powerful running and solid play at linebacker on defense, the Dragons went 7-1 during the 2015 regular season.

After rolling to a 40-0 win over Mt. Blue in which Bessey rushed for four touchdowns, Brunswick routed Brewer in the Regional final, 49-0. But, Bessey was injured in the game and rushed only one time against Marshwood, a game the Dragons dropped despite a solid comeback in the second half, 21-14.

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