Three Class A running backs are finalists for the 2006 Fitzpatrick Trophy. Aaron Chambers of Skowhegan, Ken Paul of Massabesic of Waterboro and John Wiechman of Bonny Eagle of Standish have been selected from a field of nine semifinalists to vie for the award, which will be presented Sunday, Jan. 15, at a banquet in Portland.

The Fitzpatrick Trophy is awarded annually to the state’s top senior high school football player, with academics and extracurricular activities also considered in the voting done by coaches and media from around Maine.

Chambers may be the surprise among the finalists, in that he missed three full games and nearly all of a fourth during the regular season due to an ankle injury. But when healthy, Chambers rushed for 767 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in helping the Indians earn their second straight trip to the Eastern Maine Class A championship game.

He ranked second on the team in rushing to Lucas Cole (945 yards) while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Chambers also had 10 pass receptions for 68 yards, and added two pass interceptions as a defensive back for coach Mike Marston’s club.

Wiechman is a fullback and defensive end who led Bonny Eagle to its second straight Class A state championship, rushing for 1,820 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was at his best in postseason play, rushing for more than 200 yards in the Western A semifinal, the Western A final and Bonny Eagle’s state championship game victory over Mt. Blue of Farmington.

Paul, already selected Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year, totaled 1,617 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns as Massabesic earned a berth in the Western A championship game. Also a defensive end for coach John Morin’s Mustangs, Paul finished his career as the school’s career leader in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Other semifinalists for the Fitzpatrick Trophy were Tyler Angell of Leavitt of Turner Center, Travis Fergola of Mountain Valley of Rumford, Duncan Markie of Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, Joey Martin of Portland, Josh Morin of Biddeford and Josh Pelletier of Foxcroft Academy.

Colson back on BC sidelines

One year away from coaching was more than enough for Bangor Christian’s Charlie Colson.

Colson, who first coached the Patriots’ boys varsity squad during the 2003-2004 season, stepped down from that post a year ago to serve as the school’s athletic director. But after a year on the administrative side of the program, he’s returned to the sidelines to guide a Bangor Christian team that should be competitive within the Eastern Maine Class D ranks.

“Last year I was the AD at Bangor Christian, and it was just a situation where I’m almost 50 years old and they were looking for a time commitment I wasn’t willing to give,” said Colson.

“And I missed coaching so much. It was the first time in 18 years I hadn’t coached, and I missed it incredibly. I had to get back into it. I love to coach, and I love being with the kids in the gym, so when the opportunity presented itself to get back into it, I jumped on it, and I’m glad I did.”

Bangor Christian is 1-1 in early season play, with a win over Central of Corinth and a loss at Schenck of East Millinocket. Led by senior guard Brock Bradford and senior forward Josh Frost, the Patriots are scheduled to return to action Saturday against 2-0 Katahdin of Stacyville.