MALE:

JACK O’ROURKE, Senior—Football

• Campbell Conference Class C All-Star

O’Rourke might have been the most impactful, immediate addition to a football team in the state this season, as he stepped in under center for the Capers, helped produce a high-powered offense and led his team to within a breath of the regional final.

O’Rourke played football when he was younger, but his high school athletic career had consisted of baseball and basketball (he played a key role on last winter’s state champion) prior to his senior year, when he got talked into not only joining the football team, but leading it.

“I’ve always loved football and I had friends on the team,” O’Rourke said. “Coach (Aaron Filieo) asked me to play. I hoped to start. I wanted to be the quarterback since I’m mobile and I can throw.”

Was he and could he ever.

O’Rourke finished the year completing 72 passes in 122 attempts for 1,231 yards and 19 touchdowns, while being intercepted only twice. He also rushed 28 times for 154 yards and three scores and even had five receptions for 31 yards and a punt return for a score.

Talk about doing a little of everything.

Highlights included debuting with a 11-of-13, 192-yard, five-TD performance in a come-from-behind win over Fryeburg Academy, three touchdown passes (including the game-winner in overtime) and a TD run in a dramatic victory at Spruce Mountain, three touchdown passes and a TD run against Freeport, two touchdown passes in a win over Mountain Valley and 272 yards and three more TD passes in a dramatic one-point loss at eventual regional champion Yarmouth.

In that game, however, O’Rourke hurt his arm and he was done playing quarterback. The Capers lost their finale to Wells, but still wound up second in Class C South. Cape Elizabeth downed Gray-New Gloucester in the quarterfinals, then built an early lead against Wells in the semifinals, thanks to an O’Rourke TD run, but lost a 20-14 heartbreaker.

“The season was a great experience,” O’Rourke said. “I’m so happy I (came back to football). I have to attribute a lot of my success to my coaches and teammates.”

O’Rourke is considering playing football or basketball in college. He gets one more season representing the Capers on the hardwood and on the diamond first. Don’t be surprised if more dramatics ensue.

That’s because Jack O’Rourke, Cape Elizabeth’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, showed that heart and desire can trump experience and result in a season to remember.

Coach Aaron Filieo’s comment: “Jack was dynamic. He can play anywhere on the field. He was fun to have. He brought a level of energy to the team. He worked really hard. He had a smile on his face this year since day one. He gave this team a lot.”

Prior winners:

2014 Jack Drinan (football)

2013 Liam Simpson (cross country)

2012 Reese McFarlane (golf)

2011 Tim Lavallee (soccer)

2010 Jack Queeney (soccer)

2009 Ezra Wolfinger (football)

2008 Nate Lavallee (football)

2007 Jim Bump (football)

2006 Graham Egan (cross country)

2005 Mike Kertes (football)

2004 Ron Kelton (golf)

2003 Elliot Cohen (football)

2002 David Croft (soccer)

2001 Jeff Hodge (soccer)

FEMALE:

MADDIE BOWE, Senior-Volleyball

• All-State, All-Academic team

• Captain

Cape Elizabeth’s volleyball team has reached stratospheric heights the past three seasons. A lot of that is due to sheer skill, but the one trait the Capers exhibited most was steadiness and no one player better exemplified that than Bowe, who played an integral role in turning Cape Elizabeth into a contender and eventually into a champion.

Bowe grew up in Cape Elizabeth in a family well-known for its basketball prowess and she’s very talented in that sport as well, but she has stood out in volleyball, a sport she didn’t even try until high school.

“I took to it right away,” Bowe said. “It’s an easy sport to start. There’s very much a team dynamic. Other sports you can have a star carry you, but you have to have everyone in volleyball to be good.

Bowe joined the varsity team as a sophomore and as a junior, came up big time and again as the Capers rose from the No. 5 seed to make a stirring and dramatic run to a first-ever state title.

This fall, Cape Elizabeth lost its first two matches, then won 13 in a row before finally being upset by eventual champion Scarborough in Class A semifinals.

For the season, Bowe, demonstrating her myriad skills, had 120 kills, 20 blocks and 25 digs to boot. While the end to her season was a disappointment, she was able to put it in perspective.

“It was tough to end like that, especially with so many seniors, but it was the first time we were the number one seed and the first time we hosted a playoff match,” Bowe said.

Bowe, who in addition to basketball also plays tennis, is not planning to play sports in college.

She’s certainly left her mark on her high school. Maddie Bowe, Cape Elizabeth’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, always gave her all and as a result, had a season and a career to hail. 

Coach Sarah Boeckel’s comment: “I think Maddie is one of the most underrated players. I couldn’t have asked for a better player to have on my team. Whether it was practice or in a match, she came to compete and get better every day. We’re lucky to have a lot of great players, so we don’t have to rely on one person, but more often than not, it was Maddie who made the big play for us. She makes those around her better. She’s such a smart player. She’s a leader on and off the court and was a two-year captain. It will be hard to fill her spot. She’s the whole package. It’s been an honor to coach her for four years.”

Prior winners:

2014 Tess Haller (volleyball)

2013 Kate Breed (soccer)

2012 Kathryn Clark (soccer)

2011 Melanie Vangel (soccer)

2010 Karyn Barrett (soccer)

2009 Karyn Barrett (soccer)

2008 Emily Attwood (cross country)

2007 Emily Attwood (cross country)

2006 Marla Houghton (soccer)

2005 Dana Riker (soccer)

2004 Elise Moody-Roberts (cross country)

2003 Elise Moody-Roberts (cross country)

2002 Clare Egan (cross country)

2001 Addie Rintel (field hockey)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

 

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