Concession stand volunteers Jason Simcock, left, and Erik Parker work the grill under a ‘Bears Are Awesome!’ sign before a Sept. 27 football game between Maranacook and Poland at Ricky Gibson Field of Dreams in Readfield. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Another year of Maine high school football is in the books. The lights are down. The bands have ventured from the football stadiums to gymnasiums.

Football concession stands are also closed. For more than two magical months, on the will and sweat of hardworking volunteers, central Maine once again stepped up to provide good food that filled the stomachs of football fans. This writer is particularly grateful to be able to enjoy a good meal while covering a game.

To once again highlight the unsung heroes of football season, I present my annual concession stand review. I have found a new name for the annual tradition. Beginning this year and moving forward this will be known as the Gridiron Grub Golden Globes, or the Gridirion Grubbies, for short. Many thanks to loyal reader John Stanley of Augusta for the suggestion.

As a note, these awards are for concession stands that I visited while covering football games this fall. I did not cover games at Cony and Winslow, which are perennial stalwarts on the list. Both have provided excellent food and service in the past, no doubt they both did the same again this season.

Honorable mention: Messalonskee High School (Veterans Field)

Always a friendly staff (and quick as well), the crew at Veterans Field offer excellent standard concession fare: Burgers, hot dogs, french fries. You may think it’s easy to shine at the basics, but I dare anyone to hang with this crew on a Friday night and try it. The Eagles will surprise you with a great crockpot item every now and again as well. The crowd in Oakland do not go without.

No. 5: Maranacook High School (Ricky Gibson Field of Dreams)

I’ve never been let down at Maranacook. I don’t know if it’s the grill, the grill master, the type of beef being used, but the best (and most consistently awesome) cheeseburgers I’ve devoured the last few seasons have been made here. I make it a point to order two, and, as a bonus, they have Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce as one of the available condiments. It’s almost as if someone researched what I enjoy on a burger.

No. 4: Skowhegan Area High School (Reginald Clark Field)

It’s been a few years since I covered a football game in Skowhegan (pre-pandemic, I believe), but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found at Reginald Clark Field. The crew provided an excellent chicken tender basket and fries — fresh out of the fryolator and a hit with the fans — as well as a solid pulled pork. The best deal, however, is what’s known as the “Coach Wilson Special” — a hot dog, Snickers bar and a can of Pepsi for $5.

No. 3: Winthrop High School (Charlie’s Field)

This pick is controversial. From a pure quality perspective, Winthrop had the best food this season. The Ramblers used a local food truck — Smoke ‘N Sliders — for the home games this fall. You needed to arrive an hour before kickoff to get an early place in line. By halftime, the line for food stretched from the truck’s location, above the stands near the 10-yard line, all the way to the press box by the 50-yard line. The sliders were out of this world, and if that wasn’t enough, for an additional $1, you could have it with bacon jam. You heard that right. Bacon jam. The chicken bites were also tender and juicy, with multiple rub options. The fried dough was also crisp and delicious. So why isn’t Winthrop higher on the list? It brought in a ringer, which is sort of like having a college football player compete in your Thanksgiving Day pickup game. Not really fair, is it?

Fans line up at the snack shack before an Oct. 4 football game between Gardiner and Skowhegan at Hoch Field in Gardiner. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

No. 2: Lawrence High School (Keyes Field)

The defending concession champions had another strong fall. No one in central Maine had as many available stands (three) as the Bulldogs did, including one for the senior class and the band boosters. My suggestion is to grab a crockpot item from the senior shack and a fried dough (huge) at the main shack. But do not leave Keyes Field without stopping at The Band Stand and grabbing some fried Oreos. My record there so far is four, if you’re feeling competitive next fall.

No. 1: Gardiner Area High School (Hoch Field)

The 2022 champ reclaims its spot at the top of the central Maine concession mountain in 2024. Gardiner got back to the top because not only does it provide excellent options at its new shack, but it re-opened its secondary shack this fall, providing excellent sausage subs and fried dough, among other options. If you’ve read this column in the past, you know I’m a sucker for a good sausage sub. The Tigers also excel at a classic grilled cheese sandwich, and the mac n’ cheese is one of their best crockpot offerings. As usual, Gardiner carries the distinction of having the best dessert in the area — an apple crisp that is provided each home game by the Gardiner volleyball team. You’d be a fool if you didn’t have it with the ice cream.