AUGUSTA — When Alec Clark had his interview with the Frank J. Gaziano Awards selection committee earlier this month, something he did reminded committee member Peter DeSimon of his late friend and the award’s namesake.
When the committee was done questioning Clark, it asked if he had any questions for them. Clark had one. What does Frank Gaziano mean to you? Then, Clark handed out cards for his business, AC Pumpkins.
“A flash of Frank came to me,” DeSimon said.
A four-year starter for Winslow High, Clark was honored as the state’s top offensive lineman Saturday at the sixth-annual Gaziano Awards presentation at the Augusta Civic Center.
Clark is the first offensive lineman from a Class B, C or D school to win the award.
Frank Curran of Cheverus won the award for defensive linemen. Isaac Patry of Thornton Academy and Charles Kovarik of Portland were the other offensive finalists, and Tyrell Gullatt of Windham and Elijah Ayotte of Thornton joined Curran as defensive finalists.
Clark and Curran each received a trophy, a leather jacket and a $5,000 scholarship. The four runners-up each received a trophy, a leather jacket and a $1,000 scholarship.
Created in 2010, the award remembers Frank Gaziano, founder of National Distributors and a college All-American at Holy Cross. The award honors linemen not just for their play on the field but for their work in the classroom, character, leadership and perseverance.
A guard and linebacker, Clark was a captain and helped lead the Black Raiders to back-to-back undefeated state championship seasons in 2014 and 2015. He was a member of an offensive line that helped Winslow average 45 points and nearly 400 yards per game.
“It’s an honor to be receiving this award. There’s so much history behind it,” Clark said.
In accepting the award, Clark gave a heartfelt speech in which he thanked family, coaches, teammates and the Winslow community.
“I was thinking about family, friends, community and team. Those are all key components of who I am today. They helped mold me into the man I am right now, and the better person I will be tomorrow,” Clark said.
“He was a heck of a football player for four years,” Winslow Coach Mike Siviski said. “I’m just so proud of him, so proud of his whole career. Beyond his physical attributes and his motor and everything like that, he’s just such a good kid and a hard worker. The leadership and character end of it, he has it all.”
A three-year starter for Cheverus, Curran was a captain and had 63 tackles and five sacks last fall. He thanked his family, teammates and coaches, in particular Cheverus Coach John Wolfgram.
“(Wolfgram’s) meant everything to me. He’s taught me the importance of character, and what it means to play for a full 48 minutes and never give up. I think that’s important, not just in football but life as well,” Curran said.
Curran said he’ll either attend Husson University or do a postgraduate year at Bridgton Academy. Clark is considering a few schools, including Maine Maritime, Husson and the University of Maine.
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