CHICAGO, Illinois – Entering its third decade of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade Thirst Quencher announced Ken Paul of Massabesic High School as its 2005-2006 Maine Football Player of the Year.

At the time of his selection, Paul, a 5-11, 215-pound senior fullback and defensive end, had rushed for 1,349 yards and 22 touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 27 solo tackles, assisted on 22 others, made 10 tackles for losses and sacked the opposing quarterback eight times. For his career, Paul gained 3,118 yards and reached paydirt 47 times, giving him the all-time Massabesic High records in both categories. He also letters in basketball.

Paul, a solid classroom perfoermer with nearly a “B” average, also participates in several civic activties, including Spring Clean Up, and is a youth football and basketball camp counselor.

Walker, Lazarski, Gomes to be honored by New England Football Writers

ORONO – Jermaine Walker, Ben Lazarski, and Jarrod Gomes were named to the 2005 New England Football Writers I-AA All-Star Team on Tuesday. All three Black Bears and other members of the All-Star team will be honored at the annual New England Football Writers Captains and Awards Banquet on Thursday, Dec. 8, in Rudolph, Mass.

The selection for Lazarski marked the second-consecutive season the senior offensive lineman was named to the team. Lazarski concluded his career this season, while starting 39-consecutive games dating back to his sophomore season. He started all 11 games at center this season and helped to pave the way for Montell Owens to rush for 779 yards and nine touchdowns.

Walker earned a spot on the team for the first time in his career. He recorded a career-high 114 tackles this season, which was the fourth-highest mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He also registered 9.5 tackles for loss of minus -33 yards, 3.5 sacks for minus -18 yards, three pass breakups, one forced and recovered fumble, one blocked kick and one interception.

Gomes rebounded from two-injury filled seasons to finish tied for 36th in the A-10 with 6.2 tackles per game this past season. He made 68 total tackles, including 48 solo stops, recovered a pair of fumbles and made two interceptions on the season.