Some athletes earn a Most Valuable Player award with impressive stats, while others make a name for themselves by stepping up in the season’s most important moments and on the biggest stage.
This year’s Journal Tribune 2018 Football co-Most Valuable Players check off both boxes.
Thornton Academy’s Anthony Bracamonte and Wells’ Tyler Bridge dominated week in and week out and both led their teams to state championships this past season — and that’s why we decided to honor both seniors with this year’s award.
Bracamonte, who also won the Gatorade Maine Player of the Year award, finished the season with 2,137 all-purpose yards and scored 27 touchdowns, including seven on returns. The TA senior had 1,037 rushing yards and 578 receiving yards on 27 catches.
When the Trojans needed him the most — in the Class A playoffs — all Bracamonte did was account for 925 yards and 11 touchdowns as he led TA to the Gold Ball.
Bridge set a Wells record with 2,390 rushing yards and scored 45 total touchdowns, which is believed to be a state record. The standout also made 48 tackles and had four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.
The senior helped the Warriors capture their third straight Gold Ball by running for 206 yards and scoring six total touchdowns in a 55-20 win in the Class D final.

The two standouts, who are also both finalists for the Fitzpatrick Trophy, were honored to share the award.
“It’s great. It’s an honor to be able to be a co-MVP with him. He’s certainly a great player. I was actually kind of happy to see that it wasn’t just me or just him. He definitely deserves to be (MVP) too,” said Bracamonte.
“I know he’s a really talented player and I’m very appreciative to be in that position and be on a list with him and other players that are that talented also. It’s definitely an honor,” added Bridge.
 ‘Dream come true’
Bracamonte and Bridge both had a chance to do something most players can only dream of — close out their careers with a championship.
“It feels like it was a dream come true … finishing it off that way is what everyone dreams of when they were a little kid. It was just really amazing to be able to cap it off like that,” said Bracamonte.
Bridge had won two other state championships, but this one was really special to the Wells standout.
“I mean it was pretty cool, especially playing with my friends and enjoying such a special season and being as successful as we were. Obviously it’s nice to go out (with a state title), I mean we had won two years in a row, but your senior year is kind of even more special than the other ones,” Bridge said.
 Stepping up
The two seniors had another thing in common when it came to the 2018 campaign as both had to take on much bigger roles for their teams.
Last season, the Warriors had Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist Nolan Potter leading the way, but Bridge was waiting in the wings to take over the feature role in the offense.
“Last year, I think halfway around I became the running back, but obviously with Nolan (the offense) was focused around him. At that time it was kind of like when I got my number called it felt cool to try to show what you can do,” said Bridge. “This year was obviously a lot different being the number one guy that the workload was going to. I would say it’s felt good to have your teammates’ trust in playing that role.”
Bracamonte knew he would need to have a big season when teammate CJ LaBreck went down with an injury in the offseason.
“When I first heard that he was out I felt like I had to step up this year,” said Bracamonte. “And then when (former TA quarterback) Will Mitchell left, I definitely knew I had to do a lot more, but I knew my guys would have my back and that new kids would step up. It was a very good team effort.”
Bracamonte was confident junior QB Kobe Gaudette was up to the challenge this season.
“I knew that he could do the job. He’s a great athlete and he’s an even better teammate,” said Bracamonte, who saw Gaudette make plays in the 2017 playoffs. “When he had to step up against Bonny Eagle, he played exceptional so I knew that he could get it done this year and he showed a lot of character.”
 ‘A great mentor’
Every great player needs someone to lead them in the right direction — and both Bracamonte and Bridge called their coaches “great mentors.”
“He’s been nothing but a great mentor and coach,” said Bracamonte of TA head coach Kevin Kezal. “He’s always been there for me even with things that are (outside) of football. He’s really taught me a lot of great life lessons. He’s definitely the best coach in Maine.”
Bridge had a similar reaction when asked about Wells coach Tim Roche.
“Coach Roche is the best coach I’ve ever had for any sport. He’s really just an awesome guy as a coach and off the field. As successful as he is as a coach, and he definitely knows what he’s talking about, he’s also just a great mentor,” Bridge said. “I can go and talk to him whenever I need help for anything. College wise he’s kind of like my agent in a way, helping me through everything.”
 Bright futures
Their high school football careers might be over, but both Bracamonte and Bridge have plenty of options when it comes to their next stop.
“I haven’t made any decisions. (Playing football) is definitely an option, but I haven’t decided on that yet. I’m talking with some schools about playing football,” said Bridge. “I’ve talked with UNH, UMaine and Dartmouth and I’ve also talked to Bowdoin, Bates, Colby and Bentley.”
Bracamonte is also undecided about his future, but several schools are looking to secure his commitment.
“I haven’t committed to a team yet, but UNH, Bentley, St. Anselm have all reached out to me. I’m not sure where I want to go,” Bracamonte said.
No matter where these two standouts end up, they will certainly be leaving their high schools with a ton of incredible memories.
“I’ll definitely remember this season, going 11-0, never trailing in a single game and then capping it off with a state championship,” said Bracamonte.
Bridge will cherish his time playing in front of his hometown.
“It’s really special there. Wells is pretty awesome. They show up for all the football games and always fill the place. Just the support you receive from everyone is really cool,” said Bridge.
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 780-9017. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.