SANFORD — It’s been over two months since Sanford’s Alex Shain last carried the football, as he hobbled off the field after a playoff loss at Scarborough. His exploits on the gridiron earned him an invitation to the Fitzpatrick Trophy ceremony on Sunday, as a finalist for the award given to the top senior football player in the state.
It’s been nearly a month since Shain got word that he had been chosen as a finalist for the Fitzy, but he said he chose not to dwell on the nomination, and instead focused on school and basketball.
Now what’s been two months coming is now but a day away, and Shain said it’s finally starting to hit him.
“It’s definitely creeping up on me now. The nerves haven’t really hit me yet, but I mean, I’m sure they will,” said Shain. “I’m prepared.”
Each finalist must give a speech about what the award means to them, and Shain said that’s the part that makes him most nervous.
“That’s probably the most nerve-wracking part, giving a speech,” said Shain. “I’m sure I’ll be a little nervous when I go up there. But once I start talking, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Shain said his speech is mostly about reflection, about everything that he has experienced in his football life that has culminated to Sunday’s ceremony.
“I just thought about what it took to get this far, and the people that were involved in my life to help me get there. Just thanked people,” said Shain.
Shain said winning this prestigious award has always been a dream of his, and that he’s put in the necessary work to make that dream come true.
“It would mean a lot (to win),” said Shain. “It would just be like all the things I’ve done, the hard work I’ve put into this, and it would finally pay off.”
And if the dream doesn’t come true, Shain said he can’t help but feel some disappointment.
“I’ll be disappointed. Anyone would be. Of course you want to win,” said Shain. “Chandler (Shostak) and (Donald) Goodrich, they’re two excellent players. If either of them win, they deserve to win.”
Shain said that he hasn’t talked with Shostak, a wide receiver from Cony, about the award, but that he talked briefly with Goodrich, a running back from Cheverus. Shain said he wished Goodrich good luck at the SMAA All-Conference Banquet, but said little else. Shain is in it to win it, after all.
Shain earned his nomination as a Fitzy finalist by putting his Spartan teammates on his back at times, both as a bruising, but shifty running back and a fearless linebacker. Still, the four years of tense games might not compare to the four minutes or so when he finds himself in front of microphone on Sunday.
When asked what is more nerve-wracking: having to make a big play in football, or having to give a speech, Shain just laughed.
“Probably the speech. Football comes naturally to me,” he said.
— Contact Wil Kramlich at 282-1535, Ext. 323 or follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.
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