Justin Villacci of Gorham High School has been named the 2007-08 Gatorade Maine Football Player of the Year.

Villacci is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award to be announced in mid-December.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior gained 1,293 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on 146 carries for the Rams (7-2) this season as a running back, concluding his Gorham career with 539 carries for 5,036 yards and 81 touchdowns.

Villacci averaged 40.3 yards per catch in 2007, hauling in 12 passes for 484 yards and six touchdowns during Gorham’s run to the Western Maine Class A quarterfinals. He also starred at defensive back, making 44 tackles (one sack) and an interception. He returned both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns.