2 Class C players are Fitzy finalists Tymoczko, Gilbert seek top award

Call it a victory for Maine’s Class C football programs.

Nick Tymoczko of Bucksport and Bobby Gilbert of Foxcroft Academy, both coming off record-setting seasons, have been selected as two of the three finalists for the 34th annual James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy, awarded annually to the state’s top senior high school football player.

Also a finalist is Bonny Eagle of Standish quarterback Matt O’Donnell, who led the Scots to their first Class A state title.

“I think it’s huge to have two Class C players as finalists,” Tymoczko said. “A lot of people have looked down on Class C football, but there are a lot of good players.”

The winner will be announced during a Jan. 16 banquet at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

This marks the first time two Class C players have been named as finalists in the same year, and Tymoczko and Gilbert are bidding to become only the second non-Class A winner of the Fitzpatrick Trophy. The late Lee St. Hilaire of Class C Winthrop was recognized after the 2001 season.

“It’s definitely something special that two Class C players get credit,” Gilbert said.

Tymoczko rushed for 2,741 yards and scored 40 touchdowns in leading Bucksport to a 12-0 season and its first state championship since 1983. He had LTC records of 2,071 yards and 33 TDs during the regular season, then added 670 more yards and seven TDs in three postseason games.

He capped off his season by rushing for 330 yards and three TDs as coach Joel Sankey’s Golden Bucks defeated Jay 42-20 in the state final at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

“Back in August I knew we were going to have a good football team and I would have a big part in it,” said Tymoczko, who played outside linebacker on defense. “But I never thought of something like this.”

Tymoczko, who also helped Bucksport win the 2003 Class C outdoor track title, initially wasn’t looking toward a college football career. But more recently he has reconsidered, particularly as he has drawn the interest of college recruiters.

Among the schools he is considering are Springfield, New Hampshire, Maine and Plymouth State.

“I’d love to play some more football,” Tymoczko said. “It’s not really because of the recognition, but for the love of the game. I love playing football.”

Gilbert has played just three years of organized football after transferring from Greenville to Foxcroft Academy before his sophomore year. Since then, he has rushed for nearly 4,000 yards, including school-record totals of 1,971 yards and 37 touchdowns this fall.

As a junior, Gilbert led Foxcroft to an unbeaten season culminating in the Class C state championship. This fall he shook off a shoulder injury to lead Foxcroft to a 9-2 record and a berth in the Eastern C final, where the Ponies fell to Bucksport 26-25.

Gilbert also led the Ponies with 105 tackles this season as a linebacker and safety for coach Paul Withee’s club.

During Foxcroft career, the Ponies had a combined record 32-3, with two Eastern Maine titles to go with the 2003 state crown.

Gilbert also is an all-conference basketball player as well as a track standout.

“It was a surprise and a great honor,” said Gilbert of when he learned of his Fitzpatrick finalist status. “I’d heard about the award in the past, and read about it in the newspaper. But I never really thought about it that much.

“I thought it was possible to be in the top 10 depending what people around the state thought of me, but as a team captain I was thinking more about the team aspect and winning another Eastern Maine championship and a state championship.”

Gilbert is considering a number of college options, including Maine, New Hampshire, Albany, Columbia and Sacred Heart.

O?Donnell led Bonny Eagle to its first Class A title, combining for more than 2,500 all-purpose yards with 1,347 rushing yards and 1,225 passing yards. He also accounted for 29 TDs, passing for 18 and rushing for 11 TDs. On defense, the safety led coach Kevin Cooper’s Scots with five interceptions.

He rushed for 151 yards and passed for 135 yards in the Class A state final, where Bonny Eagle defeated Bangor 29-19.

The three finalists were selected from a field of 10 semifinalists through a vote of the state’s high school coaches and media members who cover Maine high school football.