Part championship game, part coming-out party.

That’s the way a lot of football followers from Eastern Maine view today’s Class C state championship at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Folks up north and downeast always take great delight in stealing back home with the gold ball, but this time, they hope the unveiling of record-setting running back Nick Tymoczko before a Western Maine audience will potentially lead to another trip to Portland this winter, this time to pick up the Fitzpatrick Trophy.

The Golden Bucks (11-0) were solid favorites in Eastern Maine, even after losing both of their starting tackles and a defensive tackle to season-ending injuries early in the year. Perhaps only a perfect run through the Little Ten Conference was out of the question, but few were surprised when the Bucks completed just that when they stifled defending state champion Foxcroft Academy on a two-point conversion last week.

But Tymoczko, who floated between wide receiver and fullback last year (running for about 500 yards on 50 carries) has been a revelation, even to his own coach.

“I thought he’d be good, but I didn’t expect this out of him,” Bucksport coach Joel Sankey said.

“This” is a season that saw the senior tailback shatter LTC marks with 2,419 yards (over nine yards per carry) and 37 touchdowns, a season in which Tymoczko rushed for less than 200 yards just four times and less than three touchdowns just twice. His lowest yardage output this year is the 141 yards he collected in last week’s thrilling 26-25 win over Foxcroft.

“He’s very explosive, fast and strong,” Sankey said. “He’ll run over people and he has the speed to go around people. He’s got great field vision and cutback ability.”

Sankey, a veteran coach whose resume includes stints at Bangor and Maine Maritime Academy, compares Tymozko to a former Fitzpatrick winner, Claude LeClair, the 1980 winner from Biddeford whom Sankey coached at MMA. Whether Tymoczko merits Fitzy discussion himself is up to the voters, Sankey said, but his talent transcends his Class C competition.

“Nick could have started for anybody in the state, then it’s debatable what kind of numbers he’d have,” Sankey said, “but every coach would want to have him.”

Most coaches would probably find room for some of Tymoczko’s teammates, as well. QB Joey Carmichael is a veteran leader under center who can be dangerous in the two-minute drill. The revamped line, as Tymoczko’s numbers would suggest, is very aggressive and quick. John Harvey, who does a little of everything for the Bucks (420 rushing yards, 295 receiving, 10 touchdowns) makes big plays on both sides of the ball. He’s also the only member of the Bucks who saw significant playing time their last state championship appearance, a loss to Boothbay in 2001.

“He’s probably one of the biggest hitters around. He hits like a truck” Sankey said of the 6-4, 195-pound linebacker. “When you’re on offense, you have to account for him.”

Another player Jay will have to account for is 6-4, 210 pound defensive end Deven Eaton, who leads the Bucks with 10.5 sacks.