Kris Brown’s success on the gridiron in 2015 is a direct reflection on his teammates.

That’s what the Escambia Academy junior running back said Monday after being selected as a finalist for the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s AISA Back of the Year.

The finalists were announced on Saturday, and Brown is up against Edgewood quarterback Nathan Rourke and wide receiver Jackson Tate.

Brown finished the 2015 season with 1,569 yards on 141 carries and scored 26 touchdowns. He was also selected on the first team of the AISA All-State team.

“I’m blessed that God has blessed me in many ways,” Brown said. “I’m blessed to be a Cougar because if I wasn’t, then I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Brown said those at EA treated him like one of their own, and his teammates push him to be great in his craft.

“What pushes my game are usually two to three people on the team — Trae Lee, H.T. Fountain and Kainoa Gumapac,” he said. “HT, he’s always telling us right from wrong. Trae Lee and I push each other in the weight room and on the field because we’re the class of 2017. We push each other. Kainoa is the brains. He’s the leader, but he’s the person to come talk to when the plays go wrong.”

One of the moments that Brown said he’ll cherish the most was during the Morgan Academy game when he broke a record that was important to EA coach Hugh Fountain and himself.

“The running backs he’s coached have only scored 25 touchdowns,” Brown said. “When I broke it, I told him, and me and him were laughing about it. It was a personal goal, but also a cherishing moment.

“This season was a cherishing moment to bond with everybody,” he said. “I was proud of myself and my line for blocking.”

Being chosen as one of the finalists was something he prayed about, Brown said.

“Winning this (honor), it’s not for me,” he said. “It’s for my team. I feel like all of the awards I’ve won it’s because of my team.”

Being named a finalist this year is only going to push Brown to have an even better year next season, he said.

“I feel proud of what I’ve done this season,” Brown said. “It means I’ve really worked hard. It pushes me and motivates me to accomplish more than that to be in the All American Bowl and Under Armor Bowl.

“Next year, we’re going up to be losing all of our seniors and the offensive line,” he said. “I’ve got to step in and really be a leader. Our job as leaders are to keep everybody’s heads up.”

Brown will find out if he was chosen as the AISA Back of the Year at the ASWA’s Player of the Year banquet on Wed., Jan. 13, in Montgomery.

Brown is the son of Christopher of Atmore, and Tamekia Brown of Detroit.