DIXFIELD — Among the reasons for playing sports is to test ones physical and mental capabilities, Nic Crutchfield definitely made the most of those opportunities.

The Dirigo football quarterback received the highest honor when the school retired his number.

The first football player to have his jersey retired, Crutchfield will have his home blue No. 9 encased and hung in Defoe Gymnasium.

Crutchfield was presented with his white away uniform, framed in a case by Art Chamberlin. His blue jersey is currently hanging in the Hall of Patriots in Foxboro, Mass.

“We were asked by a couple of different people in the community to look at whether Nic’s jersey should be retired,” Dirigo athletic director Charlie Swan said. “A committee met and looked at the following criteria: accomplishment in the state, accomplishment in the league, accomplishment in the school.  Also, they looked at Nic’s attitude. The committee unanimously decided that he was (worthy).”

Crutchfield won the Taglienti Award presented to the best Class “C” player in the Campbell Conference. He was also a finalist for the Fitzpatrick Trophy, which is presented to the top senior football player in the state.

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Crutchfield was the third player from the River Valley to be on Fitzy stage. Marty Milligan of Rumford Rumford won the award in 1971. Mountain Valley standout Justin Staires was a finalist in 2008.

The numbers alone show that he had a remarkable year. In the regular season, Crutchfield completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,620 yards and 22 touchdowns. He added 577 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns.

In the playoffs, he passed for 708 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 24 yards per completion. He also ran for two rushing TDs and intercepted three passes.

He saved his best effort for his final game. Crutchfield threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns as Dirigo won the Class C state championship against Foxcroft. He accounted for 298 of the teams’ total of 402 offensive yards.

“We should take his accomplishments of the 2009 season and use it as a benchmark for future prospects,” Dirigo football coach Doug Gilbert said.

Crutchfield was 25-6 as the starting QB.

Crutchfield will attend Maine Maritime Academy in the fall.

“Nic was one of the, if not the most talented football player we have had in our school, and he truly deserves the recognition,” Swan said.

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