James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy. Jill Brady/Staff Photographer

It’s never too early to start speculating who might win the James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy, emblematic of the top senior player in Maine high school football.

This season it’s even more appropriate to start thinking about potential candidates for the 53rd Fitzpatrick because there is no hands-down favorite, unlike some years (ahem, see Noah Carpenter, circa 2023).

This Varsity Maine Fitzy watch list is meant to inform and be fun, with the knowledge that there are many games to play and candidates’ fortunes will rise and fall with the success of their teams. Nominations by coaches to the Fitzpatrick committee will be due during 11-man state championship week. From there, a group of semifinalists will be named. That’s usually 10-12, but only eight were semifinalists in 2023. The state’s head coaches and the media will then vote to determine the finalists who will sit at the head table at the Fitzpatrick Trophy dinner on Jan. 19. The number of finalists has not been determined. It increased from three to four in 2023 and may rise to five this year.

Here’s a breakdown of players who – at this point – we believe are worthy of being Fitzy semifinalists. One caveat: The Fitzpatrick Trophy committee uses a formula that weighs football performance (70%) and academic record (30%) while also factoring in sportsmanship, citizenship, and school and community involvement. Our list is not making judgments on a player’s grades or behavior, though each player has been vetted by his coach.

TOP CANDIDATES – 11-MAN

Noble senior Jamier Rose has helped the Knights to a 4-0 start, completing 40 of 58 passes for 578 yards with eight touchdowns, and rushing for 484 yards and seven more TDs. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Jamier Rose, Noble quarterback: Rose, a two-sport All-State selection, led the Knights to a 6-4 record in 2023 in their return to Class A. The third-year varsity starter has burnished his rep in Noble’s 4-0 start, completing 40 of 58 attempts (69.0%) for 578 yards with eight touchdowns and 484 rushing yards, and seven more TDs on just 37 carries (13.1 yards per carry). Rose is also a starter on defense. “He is the best athlete that I have ever coached,” said Noble’s Keenon Blindow. “Having him on the team is like having another coach on the field.”

Thornton Academy QB Wyatt Benoit certainly has the respect of his coach, Kevin Kezal, who said Benoit “ranks as one of the best dual threat quarterbacks we’ve had at TA.” Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Wyatt Benoit, Thornton Academy quarterback: Benoit led the Trojans to the Class A title in 2023. Because of Thornton’s balance, and its early leads in two games where Benoit did not run or throw the ball in the second half, his totals are not as large as Rose’s but are similarly productive: 33 of 46 passing (72.0%), 451 yards, four TDs; 32 carries for 286 yards (8.9 per carry) and four TDs. Coach Kevin Kezal said Benoit “ranks as one of the best dual threat quarterbacks we’ve had at TA.” Benoit and Thornton meet Rose and Noble in North Berwick at 7 p.m. Friday.

Deering quarterback Tavian Lauture, left, has rushed for 396 yards and four scores, thrown for 276 yards and six touchdowns and made 12 of 14 point-after kicks. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Tavian Lauture, Deering quarterback: Big plays define Lauture. Like his touchdown dart on the dead run and 79-yard touchdown run against Leavitt, or kicking a 41-yard field goal, intercepting two passes, throwing two TDs and running for a third against Marshwood. Overall, he’s rushed for 396 yards and four scores, thrown for 276 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions, made 12 of 14 point-after kicks, and had eight touchbacks on kickoffs. He is also a fierce tackler as a defensive back. Deering is 4-0 and plays at 4-0 Kennebunk at 2 p.m. Saturday.

TOP CANDIDATES – EIGHT-MAN

Dash Farrell, Mt. Ararat running back: Farrell has led the Eagles (4-0) to the top of the Large School South eight-man standings with 73 carries for 801 yards and 36 tackles, five for loss. Farrell gets a test Friday (6 p.m.) against North leader Camden Hills’ stout defense.

Riley Provencher, Old Orchard Beach receiver: An all-around threat who seldom plays in the second half, Provencher has 10 touchdowns, scored in four different ways: six receiving (12 catches, 419 yards), one rushing (6 carries, 56 yards), one punt return, and one defensive TD. He also threw a 51-yard TD in his only pass attempt.

ONLY ONE NOMINEE PER TEAM

Some teams have two quality candidates. Only one can be nominated.

Orono quarterback Jack Brewer and receiver Will Francis: The Red Riots have Brewer, who has thrown for over 7,700 yards and 104 touchdowns in his career. Dynamic pass catcher Francis has caught 44 of those touchdowns for a team that won the Small School eight-man state title in 2021 and 2023. This season, Brewer is 63 of 91 for 1,186 yards, 14 TDs and seven 2-point conversions. Francis, who has 28 catches for 689 yards and eight TDs, also punts and has a kick return touchdown.

Wells running backs Dom Buxton and Eli Potter: Coach Tim Roche said even he was surprised by how close the statistics are for his top backs, who are also defensive standouts. Potter, an inside linebacker, has 38 carries for 440 yards and seven touchdowns, along with one receiving touchdown. Buxton, a cornerback, has 36 carries for 442 yards and seven touchdowns, with one receiving touchdown. Even their longest run is the same – 59 yards.

“They’re both great kids. There’s no way I can separate the two right now,” Roche said. “Holy mackerel. It’s the same exact thing. Touchdowns. Everything.”

LOOKING FOR POSTSEASON HEROICS

A player’s production in the postseason can sway the committee in its semifinal selections and absolutely impacts voting. These solid semifinalist candidates probably need to lead their teams to regional and/or state finals to be a finalist.

Indi Backman, Falmouth running back: Backman has 72 carries for 464 yards and three touchdowns, and has 28 solo tackles – seven for loss – and a quarterback sack as a captain and leader for Class B North leader Falmouth (4-0).

Cam Bradbury, Massabesic quarterback: He has rushed for 269 yards and five touchdowns, thrown for 555 yards and six TDs with zero turnovers, and has 10 plays of 20-plus yards to go with five tackles for loss and three interceptions on defense.

Cody Cobb, Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall-Dale running back: A two-way standout for the 4-0 Ramblers, Cobb has 59 carries for 319 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the team in multiple defensive categories, including solo tackles (30), total tackles (53), tackles for a loss (11) and forced fumbles (three).

CJ Cooper, Bonny Eagle receiver: Cooper has 13 receptions and four touchdowns, and has forced three fumbles while averaging six tackles a game with three.

Easton Healy, South Portland quarterback: The Red Riots are 4-0 in A South and averaging 40 points per game. Healy is 24 of 40 passing for 552 yards, to go with 44 carries for 233 yards. He has six touchdown passes – five of 48 or more yards – and seven TDs as a runner.

Louis Thurston, Portland quarterback: Thurston has become a dangerous runner (34 rushes, 320 yards, 1 TD) while completing 24 of 33 passes (72.7%) for 472 yards and seven scores. He also has two interceptions and one tackle for a loss on defense.