It’s official. Bangor’s Tommy Waterman, Gardiner’s Nate Sergent, and South Portland’s Rob Kierstead are the finalists for the 27th annual Fitzpatrick Trophy.

“I was kind of surprised to be nominated as one of the top three,” said the Bangor quarterback-defensive back. “It was good to be in the top 10. I don’t even know how to describe it.”

The award is presented to Maine’s top senior football player, regardless of class, who excels both on and off the field. The finalist were selected from a field of 10 semifinalists by a secret ballot of high school football coaches and media representatives.

The winner will be announced at the Fitzpatrick award banquet Jan. 18 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

Waterman could become the fourth Bangor player to win the award, which is named for former Portland High School coach and athletic director James J. Fitzpatrick.

“I’m not a big person on individual awards. If I get it, I’ll be happy. If I don’t, that’s okay. I also see it as a team award because it takes a good team behind someone for them to be successful,” said Waterman, who rushed for 1,139 yards on 110 carries and passed for 542 yards while leading his Rams to the PTC regular season championship and a PTC title game appearance.

The unselfish Waterman’s teammates might be more excited about the award than he is, judging from their reaction to his being named a finalist.

“This award means a lot to everyone else on the team,” he admitted. “Once they found out about it, they all were asking for tickets to the banquet so they could go down with me.”

Tickets are available by calling Fitzpatrick chairman Jack Dawson (854-0813) or Frank Nappi (772-8647).