The finalists for the 47th annual James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy — which goes to the the top high school senior football player in Maine — were announced on Tuesday, and there shouldn’t be many complaints about the three student-athletes who were selected.

Falmouth quarterback Jack Bryant, Scarborough running back Owen Garrard and Wells running back and linebacker Nolan Potter are the finalists and all three put up incredible numbers while also meeting the requirements of excellence in the classroom and community service.

The voting is already done and the only people who know who will win the Fitzy on January 14 is the accounting firm tasked with counting the votes. So I know I’m not going to tip the scales for one of the three finalists, but I do believe that Potter stands above the rest of the field.

While Bryant and Garrard had fantastic seasons, Potter was an absolute animal on both sides of the ball. Whether he was running over, past and through defenders with the ball in his hands or destroying opposing quarterbacks and running backs from his linebacker spot, the Wells senior was making an impact on almost every snap.

Potter helped lead the Warriors to back-to-back state championships, including running for over 150 yards and two scores in the 48-0 win over Foxcroft Academy in this year’s Class D state final.

The Warriors were certainly the favorite to win the Class D title this season after they won the Class C crown in 2016, but most people were saying that without considering the fact that Wells lost 19 seniors from the 2016 team. The fact that Potter and other seniors like Sean McCormack-Kuhman and Michael Wrigley helped the Warriors reload the way they did is simply incredible.

Potter finished the year with close to 1,400 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, while also racking up over 100 tackles and four forced fumbles on defense. When you add in his grade point average that sits over 90 percent, his impressive work with Wells youth sports and more than 60 hours of community service, I believe he represents what the Fitzpatrick Trophy is all about.

I was also impressed with his humility when I talked to him at a recent wrestling match and he said he was just happy to be mentioned alongside the rest of the finalists.

No matter who takes home the Fitzy next month, they will certainly be a deserving winner and will honor the legacy of James J. Fitzpatrick. But I do believe that Nolan Potter has the best resume of the bunch and should be added to the long list of distinguished recipients.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.