Parenteau, Ray, Curtis, Hart up for Fitzy

And then there were 10.

The list is out and five of the semifinalists for the 32nd annual James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy hail from eastern Maine.

Belfast tailback-linebacker Jeff Parenteau, Bangor quarterback Zak Ray, Rockland tailback Mike Curtis, Waterville fullback-linebacker Nate Hart, and Mt. Blue of Farmington’s Ron Digravio are among the semifinalists for the award. The others are Peter St. Onge of Biddeford, Maxwell Janelle from Saco’s Thornton Academy, Chris Tracy of Westbrook, Nial Demena of Scarborough, and Carl Frye of Portland.

The three finalists for the award, which will be presented at the annual banquet in Portland Sunday, Jan. 19, will be announced Dec. 22.

Parenteau is the second Belfast player to be a semifinalist for the award since the scope of the award was expanded from Class A schools only to all classes in 1996. Quarterback Ben Morley (2000) was the only other Lion to be an award semifinalist.

“I didn’t really know I was in the running, but I was hoping to be,” said Parenteau, whose older brother Tim ran for 1,000-plus yards two straight seasons for Belfast (1997-98), but was not named a Fitzy semifinalist. “I learned a lot from watching him play through the years and took some things from him, so I guess it’s kind of recognition for both of us.”

Even though Parenteau has rushed for 1,000 yards or more three straight seasons and has a chance to become one of the few players in Maine to ever reach or eclipse the 5,000-yard career rushing mark, his thoughts are almost exclusively on preparing for Belfast’s state championship game with Scarborough.

“I think it’s great. I’m happy because I’ve worked pretty hard the last three years and it’s exciting to be recognized for that,” said Parenteau.

The award is given annually to the state’s best senior football player who also stands out in the classroom and community. Each football-playing school gets one nomination. From there, the list is narrowed to 10 semifinalists by a committee of former college and high school football coaches, high school administrators, and media representatives.