AUGUSTA – The glittering crystal trophy, shaped like a small football, fit easily into Luke Libby’s hand. Too easily.

Careful big guy, don’t drop that. Maybe you should let your younger brother carry it to the family car. Andrew had a lot of experience last season carrying the real thing for Thornton Academy through the most difficult traffic.

Libby’s hand seemed to tighten on his prize. He’s an intelligent high school senior who can appreciate more subtle irony. Many times during Thornton Academy’s march to the Western Maine playoffs, he led his little brother through that traffic of defensive ends and linebackers.

He didn’t hand off the trophy. This was his turn to protect the ball. So to speak.

Maine’s best high school linemen stepped out of the shadows Sunday in a banquet room at the Augusta Civic Center. Eight finalists for the two Gaziano awards were exposed for the talents and the character so rarely noticed by others.

Libby, a two-way lineman, was named the defensive lineman award winner from a group that included Max Andrews of John Bapst, Christian Deschenes of Cheverus and Matt Ross of Cape Elizabeth.

Logan Mars, a senior lineman from Scarborough High, got the offensive lineman award. Matt McLean of Windham, Rudy Pandora of Lewiston, and Nate Porter of Portland were his competition.

The Sunday brunch and all the talk that followed was, frankly, excessive in praise of those who take on football’s grittiest and most unheralded of jobs but deserved. Linemen should be hugged, even if only another lineman can get their arms around them.

Given a genetic makeover and do-over, would 6-foot-2, 247-pound Mars have wished to be a wide receiver or a power running back? “Not at all,” said Mars. Funny, but he and Libby had the same wide grins neither could lose from their faces.

“If I played those positions I wouldn’t have experienced any of the things it takes to be a lineman. I wouldn’t have learned how important the work is to make yourself better.” He wouldn’t have discovered how being satisfied can beat being recognized. One lasts longer than the other.

“I’m so humbled. Look at the other finalists. Why was I the one?”

Mars plans to attend the Coast Guard Academy to serve his country and help others. It all fits together. His father, Chris, played basketball, not football, and struggled to hold onto his emotions.

“I’m sorry. I know how much work he put into being the best football player he could be. He’s set such an example.” That more people learned more about his son on Sunday was overwhelming for dad.

Mars and Libby are the oldest siblings in their families, which can explain how they led their football families. Libby knew who among his teammates to encourage and who to scold, said Kevin Kezal, his head coach.

While Libby was asked to pose for photos, his brother watched. This time their roles were reversed. A sophomore running back, Andrew Libby was one of the Thornton Academy players sought by media and fans after games for the long gains that helped push the ball downfield and the touchdowns that helped win games.

On defense, the younger Libby played behind his brother again. Luke Libby fought off opposing blockers, while Andrew had more opportunities for the open-field tackles that always draw attention.

“He’s my big (6-foot-1, 225-pound) brother,” said Andrew Libby. “He’s always been supportive of me.”

They don’t compete for attention on the football field or in their home. In fact, that support extended to life’s small and large problems that come with growing up.

Last fall was the first and probably the last time they’ll play football together. They shared the triumphs of a winning season and the loss to Cheverus in the Western Maine championship game that ended their season.

“We didn’t feel we lost that game,” said Luke Libby, meaning he’d rather say Cheverus won. “This doesn’t make up for that. They’re two separate things.”

His next decision is to choose a college or university with a dentistry program.

Better to fix teeth than to rattle them.

Staff Writer Steve Solloway can be contacted at 791-6412 or at:

ssolloway@pressherald.com

Twitter: SteveSolloway