Nic Crutchfield did a lot of heavy lifting in leading the Dirigo Cougars to a state football championship this season. He may have to do a little more before his high school gridiron legacy is complete.

Crutchfield is one of three finalists for the James J. Fitzpatrick Trophy, presented each year to the outstanding senior football student-athlete in the state. He will join Lonnie Hackett of Bangor and Jack Mallis of Windham on the dais when the winner is announced at the 39th Fitzpatrick Award banquet at noon on Jan. 17 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

If he wins, Crutchfield will become the third Class C player to take home the hefty trophy, the first since Bucksport’s Nick Tymoczko in 2004, and the first Campbell Conference player to earn the honor since the late Lee St. Hilaire of Winthrop in 2001.

Crutchfield, a quarterback/defensive back, threw for 1,544 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for another 580 yards and 10 TDs this season. He led Dirigo to a perfect 12-0 season and a Class C state title with 256 yards and three touchdowns passing against Foxcroft Academy. He was the MVP of the Campbell Conference’s Class C division and was named the Sun Journal’s Player of the Year.

Hackett, a halfback/defensive back, was the Pine Tree Conference’s Class A MVP. He led Bangor to the PTC title while shattering the single-season school rushing record with 2,227 yards along with 28 TDs. If Hackett wins the Fitzy, he will be the first Bangor player since Pat Philippon in 1979. 

Mallis, a halfback/defensive back, helped the Eagles win their first football title ever with a 35-21 win over Bangor in the Class A game. A halfback/defensive back, he rushed for 1,686 yards and 26 touchdowns on the season and was named the Western Class A MVP and Maine Gatorade high school player of the year. He would be the first Windham player to ever win the award.

Crutchfield, Hackett and Mallis were selected from a group of 11 semifinalists. The Fitzpatrick Trophy committee, formed by the Maine chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, chose the semifinalists based on nominations from coaches. Finalists were voted on by media and coaches.