It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Jackson Fotter, the son of Kim Fotter and Bob Strong, was named as a first team SMAA All Conference player and Offensive Player of the Year. He has been a four-year starter for the Gorham Rams boys’ soccer team which reached the State Final match this season.
Jackson entered his senior season with a total of 34 goals. He scored 4 goals as a freshman, 15 as a sophomore, and 15 as a junior. During his senior season, he scored 31 goals for a total of 65 goals and a school record.
Several highlights from his season were: scoring his 50th goal against Massabesic in the 7th game of the season, the 3 goals he scored in the quarterfinal win over Westbrook, the goal he scored in the semifinal win over Scarborough, and the goal he scored in the State Final against Bangor.
The accomplishments and awards he has received throughout his career reflect not only his skill, but the respect he has earned throughout the state: 3 time SMAA All-Star, 2016 SMAA Player of the Year, 2015 and 2016 All-State and All Regional Team, 2015 GHS Offensive Player of the Year, 2016 GHS Outstanding Player Award and the 2016 Steven LaBrecque Award.
Jackson will be attending the All-State banquet in Bangor on December 4. At this event, four All-New England players and one All-American player will be selected from the attendees.
Tim King, GHS soccer coach, said, “Jackson is a tremendously skilled player. His ability to make the ball dance at his feet is amazing. He also has fantastic field vision and is always looking the make the right pass to teammates running off the ball. Scoring 31 goals in a season in the SMAA is such a incredible accomplishment, not to mention the 65 career goals. But beyond all of the physical skills, Jackson has a burning
desire to win. This is what sets him apart from most others. I feel fortunate to have coached many great players in my time at GHS, but he is at the top of the list.”
Jackson plans to further his education at either Bentley or Bryant College next year.
Patrick O’Shea
Contributing Writer