Nicholas Payson of Veazie is one of five people in his age group to earn a spot in the NFL/Gatorade Punt Pass and Kick New England Regional competition.

The 13-year-old Payson, who plays middle school football for Orono, will compete during halftime of the Dec. 9 NFL game between New England and Cleveland at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

Payson earned the trip to the regional by virtue of his performance during a state competition earlier this fall at the University of Maine. Regional winners advance to the national finals in January.