The reference has become so common that “Wesley Myers, the successor to Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Jared Turcotte” has seemingly morphed into his full name.

The comparisons that usually follow are understandable, but a little unfair to both Myers and Turcotte.

They have different builds and different styles. They have had the same line to run behind, though in Myers’ case, with a year to mature physically and gain experience.

Don’t worry, though, Myers will step out of Turcotte’s shadow soon enough.

His first two starts at tailback for Lewiston produced 177 yards rushing against Brunswick and an eye-popping 374 yards against Messalonskee.

Considering the audience for the latter performance, which included five touchdowns and three on consecutive carries, was broadened tenfold when it was broadcast on Adelphia Channel 9 this week, it’s doubtful he’s overshadowed by anyone in high school ball right now.

Myers’ strengths are his speed and elusiveness. Sometimes that translates into indecisiveness, but he doesn’t dance in the backfield too often.

He doesn’t have to because the guys who block for him – Ryan Coleman, John Collette, Justin Nickerson, Evan Gardner, Alex Pare and fullback Matt Letourneau – are giving him wide lanes to run through.

So, as Messalonskee head coach Wes Littlefield put it, Myers “(hits) the hole at 100 mph,” but he can stop on a dime to avoid a tackler.

He can also high-step out of their arms, bounce off a couple of shoulder pads, and hand-check or stiff arm a defender.

He certainly isn’t a plow horse.

At 5-10, 180 pounds, Myers is far from the biggest tailback in the state, but he is tough, and tough to bring down.

Messalonskee didn’t bring him down very often a week ago, though he did twice land awkwardly, once with his lower legs and feet tangled up under a tackler, the other time on his back numbers when a tackler clotheslined him.

Myers was shaken up after both plays, but was back to his normal self a few plays later, which in this case meant touchdown runs of 65, 51, 38 and 69 yards.

The 69-yarder, which was more like an 89-yarder what with all the turf he covered weaving in and out of traffic near the sideline, came on his 28th and final run of the night.

It’s tough not to notice when someone’s best run comes when that person should be the most fatigued or beaten up. Opponents still gasping for air notice it.

So do college coaches. Does that mean Myers is going to start attracting the kind of attention from them that Turcotte did when he was a junior?

“He’s a good kid in the classroom,” Lewiston coach Bill County said. “I think he’s got to get a little bigger and stronger. But he’s young. He’s only a junior. I think he’s got a pretty bright future.”

A future that will eventually define Myers as a success more than a successor.