SACO — After running through, over, and around all comers on the way to leading Thornton Academy to the Class A State Championship, junior running back/defensive back Andrew Libby was named the Gatorade Maine Football Player of the Year on Thursday.

Libby did just about everything for the Trojans, and did it well, and Thornton head coach Kevin Kezal said that’s what earned Libby the award.

“He didn’t have the most yards rushing this season. He didn’t have the most yards receiving. He probably didn’t make the most tackles. But what he did for us in all phases of the game, I think it’s a well-deserved award,” said Kezal.

Libby finished with 1,091 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing, and added two touchdown receptions as well. On special teams, Libby was the Trojans’ punter and returned four punts for touchdowns, including one in the state championship game. On defense as a safety, Libby made 98 tackles, had six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and forced a fumble.

“He did everything for us. Every phase of the game, Andrew helps us out,” said Kezal. “And you don’t get a lot of players that can do that.”

Libby is the second Thornton Academy player to win the award. Art Leveris won the award in back-to-back years in 1991 and 1992.

“It’s a great honor,” Kezal said of Libby winning the award. “The first thing he’ll talk about is his teammates; he doesn’t do it without his teammates.”

While Libby did play on a team filled with great players, when the Trojans needed a big play, it was usually Libby who stepped up to make it.

Only a junior, Libby has a chance to be only the third two-time winner of the award, after Leveris and South Portland’s Tim Lawson in 1996-97.

—Contact Wil Kramlich at 282-1535, Ext. 323 or follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.