SACO — Thornton Academy senior offensive tackle Ben Zuke has been named a finalist for the Gaziano Award, which is given annually to the best senior offensive and defensive linemen in the state.

Zuke is one of three finalists for the offensive lineman award, along with Windham’s Zach Davis and Messalonskee’s Jake Doyon.

The three finalists for the defensive lineman award are Windham’s Hunter Bowen, Cheverus’ Zordan Holman and Orono’s Seamus McKaig.

“I think if you look at what they’re looking for, No. 1, he’s a great student-athlete. He does very well in school. He’s taking some pretty high-profile classes ”“ some AP classes, some honors-level classes,” Thornton football coach Kevin Kezal said of Zuke. “And then obviously the other part is he’s been a great player for us.”

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Zuke was part of a Trojan offensive line that paved the way for TA runners to gain more than 3,000 yards combined. Zuke was named All-SMAA second team on both the offensive and defensive lines for his efforts this season.

“For a big kid, he’s very athletic. He’s got very good feet; he moves very well. He plays very hard. He’s able to bend his knees, plays with a low pad level for a big kid,” Kezal said of Zuke. “I think just the athleticism for being such a big kid made him tough on both sides of the ball.”

Zuke bookended his varsity starting career with state titles ”“ as a first-year sophomore starter in 2012 and again this season. In between, he endured a trying junior season.

“What impressed me was he wasn’t ready until week six (in 2013). He broke his leg in our spring camp in June, came back, practiced for two days, and we had to go over ”¦ and play at Cheverus. He didn’t have any reservations about jumping right back in there,” said Kezal. “I think that really kind of showed everyone how important football was to him, and getting back out there with his teammates.”

Kezal said Zuke was one of three senior lineman worthy of recognition ”“ along with fellow tackle Ashton Lord and guard D’Andre Morgan ”“ but Zuke had the balance of on-the-field and in-the-classroom success that the Gaziano Award selection committee looks for.

Zuke is looking to become the third Gaziano Award winner from Thornton Academy, joining 2011 defensive lineman winner Luke Libby and 2012 offensive lineman winner Bobby Begin.

“Luke Libby, Bobby (Begin), Ben, they’re all great players, but they were also great students,” Kezal said of the trio.

The first-place winners of each award receive a trophy and $5,000 scholarship, while the other finalists receive their own trophy and $1,000 scholarships.

The winners will be announced at the fifth annual Gaziano Award banquet on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Augusta Civic Center.

— Sports Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or sports@journaltribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.