AUGUSTA — Two of the best players on the two best football teams in Eastern Maine Class A were rewarded for their efforts Saturday at the fifth annual Frank J. Gaziano Awards banquet at Augusta Civic Center.

Cheverus’ Zordan Holman won the Gaziano defensive lineman of the year award, beating out Windham’s Hunter Bowen and Orono’s Seamus McKaig, while Windham’s Zach Davis beat out Thornton Academy’s Ben Zuke and Messalonskee’s Jake Doyon for the Gaziano offensive lineman of the year award.

Davis and Bowen’s Eagles squad beat Holman’s Stags team in the Eastern Class A title game, but fell to Zuke and the Trojans in the Class A state championship.

“Zordan, he was tough out there. He’s a tough thing to handle. And I met with Zach in that state championship game. He’s one (heck) of a guy; he’s a pretty good blocker, too,” Zuke said of the winners. “They’re definitely deserving of this award.”

Both players were the first Gaziano winners from the respective schools. Windham had two previous finalists, while Cheverus has had one.

“Cheverus has had a lot of great players and a lot of great young men come through those hallways. It’s a great honor and I’m very thankful,” said Holman. “I mean, I just feel very honored and privileged to be here representing my school, my program, my coach. And the memory of Frank J. Gaziano; he represented what it was to be a leader in the community, be a leader in the classroom, be a leader on the football field.”

Gaziano was a former All-American football player at Holy Cross before playing professionally for the Boston Yanks (now the Indianapolis Colts) and Washington Redskins.

“This award’s really special and he seemed like a really great person,” Davis said of Gaziano, who he called a role model. “This award’s a great honor. It was a very special experience and I’m going to remember it for a long time.”

Davis called it “really cool” that both he and teammate Bowen were finalists. Windham had an ensemble of two dozen players, coaches and family members at the banquet to support the two players.

“We did have a great year. We worked really hard; myself and everyone around me,” said Davis. “So to be here and have the hard work pay off means a lot. It’s pretty special.”

Holman also had a large contingent of supporters, including many family members and Cheverus head coach John Wolfrgram. Holman, who was born in Croatia before moving to the United States when he was a young child, called the transition to this country difficult and thanked his family for getting him to that moment.

“I consider myself the most happiest guy in the world. I’m absolutely blessed,” said Holman, who said he is looking to play collegiately at either the University of Maine or University of Connecticut.

Zuke was looking to become the third winner from Thornton Academy in the award’s five-year history, joining in 2011 defensive lineman winner Luke Libby and 2012 offensive lineman winner Bobby Begin. Zuke said he learned a ton from both players.

“It’s a real honor to be named a finalist for this award. Even not winning, it’s just an honor to be just around with these great players and be recognized as one of the greater offensive line athletic students on the field,” said Zuke.

The keynote speaker for the banquet was former Portland High School quarterback Quinton Porter, who went on to play at Boston College before embarking on a professional career that took him to the NFL and Canadian Football League. Porter said to the line, “you do not get enough attention or respect,” and told stories about experiences with two former offensive line teammates at Boston College that went on to the NFL ”“ Gosder Cherilus and Jeremy Trueblood ”“ and how he was thankful for having both blocking for him.

Last year’s winners also spoke, as they were asked to give advice to this year’s finalists. Former Sanford standout Jed Scott, who was last year’s offensive lineman winner, spoke of “God-given talent.”

“You need to find your God-given talent,” charged Scott, who now plays at Assumption College. “After you find your talent, you need to develop your talent.

“Use it not to help yourself, but other people.”

Former Oak Hill star lineman Luke Washburn, who just finished his freshman season at Husson University, also spoke.

In just its fifth year, the Gaziano Award has grown to rival the Fitzpatrick Trophy ”“ nearly four decades older ”“ in attention and prestige. Zuke said it is long overdue.

“No quarterback can throw the ball for a lot of yards in a game if he ain’t got the protection, and no running back can run for 1,000 yards in a season if he didn’t have the holes to run into,” said Zuke.

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