Three York County players are on the ballot as the state announced the 12 semifinalists for the James J. Fitzpatrick trophy on Wednesday.

Kennebunk wide receiver Ethan Drigotas, Biddeford fullback Nick Gagne and Thornton Academy quarterback Josh Woodward are among the final 12 nominess for the “Fitzy”, given out to the most outstanding senior football player of the year in Maine. 

The award is named after former Portland football coach and Boston College player James J. Fitzpatrick, whose accomplishments include striking out Babe Ruth in an exhibition baseball game, and beating out Jim Thorpe in a kicking competition in Canton, Ohio.

Drigotas was a key cog in the Rams passing offense Drigotas caught 36 passes for 659 yards and seven touchdowns for Kennebunk as part of a dynamic duo with Van Brazz at receiver and Matt Dube at quarterback.

Gagne was the best fullback in York County this season, and was the MVP for the Tigers during their  7-2 run. He had 1,074 total yards on the season (973 rushing, 101 receiving) and scored 15 touchdowns. Gagne, who also played linebacker, amassed 40 tackles, including 13 sacks.

Woodward led an explosive offense for the Golden Trojans, who finished 6-3 on the season. The group averaged 43 points per game, with 370 yards of offense per game. Most of that output was due to Woodward, who rushed for 958 yards and passed for 813 yards and totaled 18 touchdowns (9 passing, 9 rushing). If that isn’t enough for voters, his father, Scott, won the award in 1984 as a player for Biddeford. No father/son combo has ever won the Fitzy trophy in the award’s history.

Windham running back Jack Mallis won the award last year. Biddeford holds the record for most winners, with seven, but haven’t had a winner since quarterback Phil Bourassa – now the boys basketball coach at Bonny Eagle – won the award in 2003.

Thornton Academy has had two winners. Art Leveris won the last award for the Trojans in 1991. York County winners include Sanford with two (Paul Belanger, 1976; Tony Matoin, 1978) and Marshwood (Steve Knight, 1989) and Massabesic (Jason O’Tash, 2000) with one.

The other candidates include Kyle Bishop of Waterville, Maxwell Cloutier of Leavitt, Mike Cyr of Scarborough, Peter Gwilym of Cheverus, Jonathan Haws of Hampden Academy, Cameron Kaubris of Mountain Valley, Caleb Kenney of Portland, Nick Proscia of Yarmouth and Jamie Ross of Deering.

If past history has proven anything, any member of the Class A championship team that is nominated is considered a favorite, meaning Gwilym holds the best chance. A quarterback/defensive back, Gwilym scored 20 touchdowns (13 rushing, 7 passing). Gwilym had an even better season on defense, making 64 tackles with four interceptions and three forced fumbles.

If it comes down to statistics, however, the favorite would be Ross, who passed for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns, while rushing for 912 yards and 19 touchdowns. Ross also averaged 41.1 yards as a punter and made 36 of 40 point after attempts as a kicker.

Every head coach in the state votes on the award along with members of the media. The Fitzpatrick Trophy banquet is scheduled for Jan. 16 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535.