For weeks, Heisman Trophy voters around the country have said how difficult it was to vote this year, with no clear cut favorite.

The same can be said by those of us who vote for the Fitzpatrick Trophy, awarded to the top senior football player in the state of Maine each year.

On Thursday, the three finalists for this year's honor were named: Billy Clark of Skowhegan, Nate Doehler of Bonny Eagle and Justin Staires of Mountain Valley.

I've had a vote for the Fitzy since 2002. This year had the strongest group of candidates I've seen.

Voters are asked to list their top three choices, in order. For the record, my ballot went Doehler, Clark and Staires, the three finalists. I felt Doehler's efforts on both sides of the ball, combined with his off the field resume, put him just ahead of the other two.

It was very tough picking between those three players and many others on the ballot. Players like Massabesic's Joey Eon, Deering's Jack Heary and Nate Warren of Bucksport are also deserving of the honor, and in many years, probably would have been finalists themselves.

Here's hoping that every season brings such a tough vote. That would mean high school football in Maine is thriving, and the coaches around the state are doing an excellent job developing future leaders, not just football players.