SCARBOROUGH – In football, it’s tough for an offensive lineman to get any recognition. If they do their job right, the offense can move the ball and score, but the lion’s share of the credit goes to the quarterback, the running backs and receivers.
Most of the time, when an offensive lineman gets mentioned, it’s because they made a mistake that led to a penalty, a sack or other loss of yardage.
But that wasn’t the case for Scarborough senior Logan Mars this weekend, he was the center of attention, and it was a good thing. On Sunday, Mars was named as the winner of the Frank J. Gaziano offensive lineman of the year award, recognizing him as the top offensive lineman in the state.
The award is sponsored by National Distributors and is in memory of Frank Gaziano, founder of National Distributors and a former college All-American and professional football player with a life-long passion for local sports. Libby and Thornton Academy’s Luke Libby, the winner of the defensive lineman of the year award, received a $2,500 scholarship and a trophy celebrating their accomplishment.
“This year’s class of finalists featured many strong candidates,” said Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors and Gaziano’s son-in-law. “While Logan and Luke are recognized as the winners, I believe that the communities and families of each of the finalists are also winners. These young student athletes are not only talented, but tremendous people that are committed to their communities. I know that if Frank were with us today, he would have been proud of each and every one of them.”
Mars was named to the SMAA’s all-conference team for the past two years. At the end of this season, the Scarborough Quarterback Club named him as the team’s most valuable player. In addition to his play on the gridiron, he also excels academically as a member of the National Honor Society and he also is a Special Olympics volunteer and a member of the Police Explorers.
After receiving his award at a banquet in Augusta on Sunday, Mars said that he knows that, as a lineman, he isn’t going to get the recognition that some other players get, but that doesn’t factor into how he does his job on the field.
“Football has taught me to do my job 100 percent every second even without praise,” Mars said. “It has taught me to work hard and expect nothing in return because what matters is the personal development from the task at hand, not the praise you receive.”
Mars wasn’t the only local athlete recognized at the banquet. Matt Ross from Cape Elizabeth was selected as a runner-up to Libby as defensive lineman of the year. He was awarded with a $500 scholarship and a trophy.
All of the finalists were selected by the awards committee based on their strong leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
All eligible applicants must have been a high school senior in 2011, competed at the varsity level for a minimum of two years and have an exemplary record of positive athletic and non-athletic citizenship. As part of the selection process, the students submitted an essay and game film featuring the each lineman against his toughest competition.
Applicants from all levels of Maine’s high school football three-class system were eligible for the scholarship and able to be nominated by their coaches. For more information on the 2013 scholarship program application process or to contribute to the scholarship fund, visit www.gazianolinemanawards.org or call 773-1719, ext. 3313.
Scarborough’s Logan Mars sets up for a block against Biddeford
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