PORTLAND – After being named the 41st winner of the Fitzpatrick Trophy on Sunday afternoon, Jordan Hersom of Leavitt High had the best line of the day.
While giving his brief acceptance speech, Hersom said he didn’t like fellow finalist Louis DiTomasso of Wells after the state final.
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“But now that I’ve had a chance to talk with him, he’s a really nice guy,” said Hersom bringing a laugh from the crowd.
“I’ve made two good friends today.”
Hersom, a quarterback/defensive back, beat out DiTomasso and Spencer Cooke of Cheverus as the top senior football player in Maine.
All three sat side-by-side at the head table at the Holiday Inn by the Bay and were seen chatting it up during the ceremony while awaiting their turn to speak.
Hersom’s team lost the Class B state championship game to DiTomasso’s team in November. It was a tough loss for Leavitt, which was looking to make amends for losing to Mountain Valley in the 2010 final.
Winning the Fitzy provided some consolation for Hersom, who was quick to spread the credit around.
His speech prior to the winner being announced was as polished and well thought out as his play on the field.
After the ceremony, while holding the bronze trophy and accepting congratulations from his teammates, Hersom said: “This is really not about me. It’s as much for the Turner community. The whole town and my teammates deserve this award. My parents, coaches and teachers all played major roles. Football has taught me life lessons beyond the field. It’s shaped me into the person I am.”
A four-year starter on defense and a two-way starter the last three seasons, Hersom put up impressive numbers. As the starting quarterback the last two seasons, Hersom guided the Hornets to a 22-2 record. Over four seasons, his team was 42-4, with three Eastern Class B championships and one state title.
Hersom passed for 1,630 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He averaged 8.7 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns. In four years, he accounted for 6,500 all-purpose yards.
He was equally as valuable on defense for the Hornets, with 56 tackles, two interceptions and numerous knockdowns last season.
“Jordan has been a major part of our team for four seasons,” said Coach Mike Hathaway. “He has a genuine passion for the game. He made himself into a true double threat on the field.”
Hersom is a two-time Pine Tree Conference Class B Player of the Year. He carries a 96 grade-point average in the classroom and said he is looking at the University of Maine, Colby or Springfield to further his education.
Hersom is the first player from Leavitt to win the trophy, but not the first in his family. His cousin, Jack, a quarterback from Lawrence, won the Fitzy after the 2007 season.
The Hersom name is synonymous with high school football in the state. Hersom’s father, Jim, was the quarterback for two state championship teams at Edward Little in the 1970s and has coached at several schools. His uncle, John, played alongside his twin brother on those championship teams and is the head coach at Lawrence. His grandfather, Lawrence “Doc” Hersom, was a legendary coach who won three state championships at Edward Little.
Hersom joins 2001 winner Lee St. Hilaire of Winthrop and 2004 winner Nick Tymoczko of Bucksport as the only Fitzpatrick Trophy recipients from a Class B or C program.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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