Austin West, Kennebunk senior running back: A four-year starter on defense and three-year starter on offense, West was the Class B South Player of the Year and is a Fitzpatrick Trophy semifinalist. He made 64.5 tackles — 15.5 for loss, with four sacks — and had three interceptions. He rushed for 1,647 yards on 181 carries, with 19 touchdowns, also had a receiving TD, and completed 8 of 12 passes for 138 yards and two TDs. West set Kennebunk records for rushing yards in a game (340) and career (2,998).

Thomas Gale, Falmouth senior offensive lineman: One of two returning All-State players, the 6-5, 270-pounder was a two-way starter on the Navigators line. He excelled as a tackle, earning the Class B South Offensive Lineman of the Year award and specific mention by coaches from other top teams during the Varsity Maine All-State selection process. Gale did not allow a sack. He is committed to playing at Maine Maritime.

Sean Leach, Noble senior offensive lineman: Leach was named the Gerry Raymond Lineman of the Year in Class A South after racking up 29 pancake blocks and allowing only one sack and five quarterback pressures while playing left tackle in the state’s toughest league. The 6-1, 275-pounder also started on defense.

Collin Thompson, Thornton Academy senior offensive lineman: A first-team Class A South offensive lineman and a three-year starter, Thompson was Thornton’s best offensive lineman, bolstering an offense that averaged 37 points and 352 yards per game. Playing through an AC joint (shoulder) sprain during the second half of the season, he was the only two-way starter for the Class A champs, contributing 21 solo tackles (four for loss), 17 assists and two sacks on defense.

Ty Boone, Fryeburg Academy senior utility: The Class B North co-Player of the Year (with Morin) and a three-way first-team selection (defensive back, offensive utility, return specialist) usually played receiver, running back and quarterback in the same game while also calling defensive coverages as a shutdown cornerback. A dangerous punt and kick returner (12 returns for 239 yards and one touchdown), Boone also returned an interception for a score. Offensively, he had over 1,100 combined yards rushing and receiving, with 16 touchdowns.

Dominic Hussey, Thornton Academy senior defensive end/OLB: Extremely active and athletic as an outside linebacker, Hussey was a two-time Class A South first-team pick. This season, he played both outside and inside (due to injury), and recorded 53 solo tackles, 42 assists, six sacks, two forced fumbles, nine pass breakups and an interception. On offense, Hussey was part of Thornton’s short-yardage package, scoring six rushing touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.

Tony Bongomin, Westbrook senior linebacker: One of the most dominant defensive players in years in Maine and a Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist, the 6-4, 205-pound middle linebacker is being hotly recruited because of his combination of speed, strength, length, smarts and exceptional instincts. He made 172 tackles (68 solo, 104 assists) for the Class B champions, with 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He turned his second interception into a tone-setting 87-yard touchdown return in the 40-20 title game win against Cony.

Carter Ouellette, Noble junior linebacker: A first-team Class A South selection, the 6-2, 205-pound middle linebacker was in on 123 tackles in less than nine games (he was injured in the regular-season finale vs. Thornton Academy). He forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and had two sacks. Noble coach Keenon Blindow, a former linebacker at Husson University, said Ouellette is the best linebacker he’s coached in his 14 seasons in Maine.

Alex Martin, Portland junior linebacker: A standout two-way player for the Class A North champions, Martin excelled as a quick, sure-tackling outside linebacker, getting in on 91 tackles with six sacks, 12 tackles for loss. He scored defensive touchdowns on an interception return and a fumble return. As Portland’s top running back, he rushed for 579 yards and had 34 catches for 307 yards.

Lucas Pelkey, Stearns senior linebacker: The lone eight-man football player to make this year’s All-State team, Pelkey was a two-way force for the Small School champs and was named Little Ten Conference player of the year. He rushed for 1,074 yards and 22 touchdowns, and had 10 catches for 252 yards and another three TDs. Defensively, he made 60 solo tackles and had 59 assists, a sack and 20 tackles for loss, with two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions.

Gio Staples, Westbrook senior defensive back: A talented cornerback for most of the season (28 tackles, two interceptions), Staples also earned his All-State honor as the dual-threat quarterback for the Class B champions. Especially adroit at extending plays with his feet, Staples completed 91 of 179 passes for 1,461 yards, with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He rushed for 685 yards and nine TDs on 103 carries. In both the regional final against Kennebunk and the state championship game, Staples ran for two touchdowns and threw for two TDs.

Luke Piper, Greely junior defensive back: Like Staples, Piper earned his spot by being not only a top defensive back but also one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the state while leading the Rangers to an unbeaten Class C championship season. Piper had 49 tackles (40 solo) and eight interceptions at safety — which was one more than he threw while completing 58% of his passes for 1,543 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for 465 yards and eight scores, earning the Campbell Conference Class C Player of the Year.

Caden Cooper, Bonny Eagle senior defensive back: A first-team Class A South choice at defensive back, Cooper led a strong Scots defense with 6.5 tackles per game and had two fumble recoveries and two interceptions, both coming in the playoffs. In Bonny Eagle’s three games against Thornton Academy and Portland — the Class A finalists — Cooper was in on 43 tackles (28 as the primary tackler) and had an interception and two pass breakups.

Mason Henderson, Leavitt senior utility: A quality defensive back who had four interceptions, 21 tackles and a fumble recovery for the Class C runner-up Hornets, Henderson is one of the fastest players in Maine. He rushed for 628 yards (11 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns, caught 31 passes for 501 yards and five touchdowns, and added 153 yards on returns. He is a Fitzpatrick Trophy semifinalist.