JAY – Jay High School knew it had an explosive, multi-purpose football player on its hands in the person of Nick Bourassa, if he could ever stay healthy.

We’re not talking about the kind of flesh wounds that earn somebody a spot on the exaggerated list Bill Belichick e-mails to the National Football League office each Monday, either.

Freshman year: Broken ankle.

Sophomore season: Separated right shoulder.

Junior campaign: Separated left shoulder.

There might not be a surefire way for an athlete to make himself more durable. Down to his last season, however, Bourassa didn’t cut any corners trying.

“I put in quite a bit of work lifting and getting ready and running. I knew I wanted to be in the top shape I could and be ready to run all year,” Bourassa said. “I think it paid off quite a bit. This is the only year I haven’t gotten hurt, knock on wood.”

The only injuries associated with Bourassa this fall might be the ones suffered by would-be defenders, such as battered hands from beating the turf in frustration. Or bruised ribs, courtesy of the crunching blocks delivered by Bourassa’s equally athletic offensive linemen.

Bourassa is the most dangerous player in the Class C division of the Campbell Conference this season, and second place isn’t close.

When No. 3 Jay (6-3) travels to No. 2 Boothbay (8-1) for a regional semifinal Friday night, most of the Seahawks’ game plan will be devoted to slowing a tailback, free safety and special teams dynamo who has racked up a staggering 25 touchdowns as a runner, receiver and return man.

“He’s scored every way possible,” said Jay coach Mark Bonnevie. “He’s a touchdown waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.”

Injuries or not, Bourassa had to be content with a supporting role in 2005 and ’06. The Tigers’ offense played to its strengths, which were a rugged, durable fullback in Trevor McCourt and bookend tackles who were one good meal shy of 300 pounds.

Jay’s retooled front five of David Farrington, Mike Holland, Dylan Wiggins-Ryder, Jordan DeMillo and Zach Lacroix has a more streamlined look. Their mission is to clear a path to the end zone for Bourassa, and when necessary, even get there before he does.

“They’re very fast, and they love to hit,” said Bourassa. “We used to have a lot more size in there. We’ve got a couple of guys around 200. That’s as large as we really get, but they can move. When I’m making the cuts 20 yards down the field, it’s not very surprising to see one of them giving me a block.”

Game film and word-of-mouth spread quickly throughout the league.

Kick and punt teams rarely allow Bourassa to catch the ball in the air. When Jay breaks its huddle, the Tigers typically see at least eight or nine defenders in the box, daring them to send Bourassa into a crowd.

“We’ve seen a lot of different things on defense, obviously, with Nick and trying to shut him down. The kids have adjusted to it as the year has gone on,” Bonnevie said. “He definitely worked hard over the summer and became the go-to guy.”

Bourassa knows that he may need 25 or more carries for Jay to control the pace and avenge a one-sided regular-season loss on the road this weekend.

Despite the mounting number of hits from defenses who have him in the cross hairs, Bourassa feels better equipped to handle that workload in November than he did in August.

“The Winthrop game (a 26-20 loss on Sept. 14), I know I was getting tired after running so much. As the year went on, against Old Orchard Beach I got 30 carries and I was feeling fine the whole time,” Bourassa said. “I felt like I could have carried the ball a lot more times. I was feeling great.”

Jay has unleashed plenty of other weapons during its playoff push. The Tigers’ defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in 12 quarters. Sophomore Austin Clark is emerging as one of the league’s most versatile quarterbacks.

Still, there’s little mystery about who will shine in all phases of the game if Jay advances to the final.

“He’s pretty much stepped up to the forefront and showed that he wants the ball. He’s also the third leading tackler on our team,” Bonnevie said. “He’s battled some injuries and missed some time in the past. This year he’s had no nagging anything. He’s having a heck of a year.”