AUGUSTA, Maine — Zach Davis of Windham High School and Zordan Holman of Cheverus were named the Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman winners, given to the state’s top senior football linemen, during a luncheon ceremony Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.
The awards, based on the players’ hard work on the field, in the classroom, and communities, were presented by Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors, Inc. and Frank J. Gaziano’s son-in-law.
The two winners each received a trophy, leather jacket and scholarship of $5,000, the largest high school football scholarship of its kind in the country, according to a news release.
The runners-up for the Gaziano Awards were offensive linemen Jacob Doyon of Messalonskee and Benjamin Zuke of Thornton Academy and defensive linemen Hunter Bowen from Windham and Seamus McKaig from Orono. Each runner-up received a $1,000 scholarship, trophy and a leather jacket with the Gaziano Awards logo.
The scholarship and awards program for Maine senior high school football linemen was created in memory of Frank J. Gaziano, founder of National Distributors and a former college All- American and professional football player with a lifelong passion for local sports. Funding for the $14,000 in scholarships is provided by National Distributors in South Portland, the company founded by Gaziano. During the five years of the Gaziano Awards, $54,000 has been awarded by National Distributors to Maine students.
Davis has been on the honor roll in each of his four years at Windham and a National Honor Society Selection in 2013 and 2014. He was also a first team all-conference selection in 2013 and 2014. He was also the most valuable player and a Fitzpatrick Award semifinalist.
Off the field, he was involved in the SMAA Leadership Summit in 2013 and was a member of the Windham High School Football Leadership Council for the past two seasons. His charitable contributions include coaching Windham youth football and lacrosse programs and volunteering at the local soup kitchen, plus fundraising efforts for Neighbors Helping Neighbors program.
“Today is a really special day. To everyone that has been a part of it, I just want to say thank you and it has been an honor and privilege to be here,” Davis said. “So much work goes into this, so many great football players, so many great kids. For me to have won this with so many great competitors it means so much.”
Holman has been an honor student at Cheverus for the past two years and won the school’s bronze award for the highest grade point average in his class for geometry. His football accolades include 2014 Eastern Class A Defensive End and Lineman of the Year honors.
He has served as his class president (2012) and has been a member of the Key Club and recycling club for the past three years. He is also an active member of the Homefront Club and Cheverus Film Society. Since his sophomore year, he has also volunteered more than 60 hours for community service events.
“When I walked into the event it felt like the Heisman Trophy almost. It was very well-organized and run. Watching the video about Frank J. Gaziano and what he meant to his family and how he was viewed; that was breathtaking,” Holman said. “I am happy to be here and to win the award. I feel very privileged and honored.”