OK, it’s official.

Just like my chances to come back and claim the top spot in The Vindicator’s Blitz Picks, summer is over.

It’s cold outside and it’s been raining for about a week nonstop. But maybe the worst part about the end of summer is its impact on the movie scene.

Gone are the summer blockbusters (“Inception”) and taking their place are the films Hollywood puts out and hopes just turn a profit (“Twilight,” and anything with Nicholas Cage).

But fear not. Replacing those movies have been seven weeks of thrillers and suspense films on the high school gridiron suitable for the Disney Vault.

So in honor of these short pigskin masterpieces, I have decided to institute the first edition of the Moffett Awards.

My award is significantly less prestigious than a nod as a McDonald’s High School All-American. But it is slightly more important than the NCAA’s Ray Guy Award, given to the best collegiate punter (seriously, can you name anybody who has won that in the past 10 years? Anyone? I’ll wait).

I’d like to think the award could feature a golden statue of a football player with his arms lifted in triumph — or a bronze-plated sportswriter at his desk. Either works.

The only criteria is players, teams and coaches are eligible for an award if I’ve actually seen them play this year. I’ve had the opportunity to see only eight games, so bear with me. I’m sure a lot of you will feel like I’m leaving something or someone out. But remember, if I haven’t seen it, I can’t have an opinion on it.

So without further ado, here are the categories and winners.

Ahem. Can I get a drum roll, please?

Best Picture

You have to go all the way back to the first week of the season for my pick for best game. It had everything; drama, excitement and a major upset at the finish. What more can you ask for?

Winner: Springfield 9, McDonald 7 in week one.

The Blue Devils (5-2) entered the game having not lost a regular-season game since the finale in 2007 (2007!) and the Tigers (3-4) were believed by many to be overmatched.

But quarterback Brad Ferraro and the offense managed the game, while the defense forced three turnovers. In the end, a last-second field goal by senior kicker/offensive tackle Jake Noble proved to be the difference.

Runner-up: Hubbard 27, Girard 24 in week six.

Best Actor

This award goes to the player who I feel is the MVP through seven weeks. He has led his team to a perfect record and has proven to be a headache for opposing coaches, teams and defensive coordinators.

Winner: Demitrious Davis, QB, Fitch.

Davis is one of those guys you worry about at night if you have to defend him. He can beat you with his arm, or he can beat you with his legs. If you take away his passing lanes, he’ll take off running. And if you try to contain him in the pocket, one of his teammates is open.

Davis is the main cog in a well-oiled machine.

Runner-up: Akise Teague, RB, Ursuline.

Best Supporting Actor

Often times, a reporter is limited by space and cannot get every deserving name in an article. So what better way to give them the attention they deserve than with a coveted Moffett Award?

Winner: Phillip Arsuffi and Floyd Kenney, RBs, South Range.

This dynamic backfield duo sometimes takes a backseat. But Arsuffi and Kenney are more responsible for the trip than you’d think.

Arsuffi plays halfback and Kenney plays more of a traditional fullback in the run-first offense for the Raiders (6-1). And with quarterback David Buzzacco under center, both get plenty of carries in an offense that averages 28 points per game.

Runner-up: Darius Patton, WR, Poland.

Best Director

Similarly to my MVP, this coach has guided his squad to an undefeated start in what he hopes is a statement year.

Winner: Phil Annarella, Fitch.

Here’s all you need to know about coach Annarella: after a 41-14 victory over conference-rival North Canton Hoover, in which the Falcons played almost flawless football, his only response was he wished his team hadn’t let up in the third quarter.

The Falcons were winning 42-6 at halftime. He’s that serious about winning.

Runner-up: Mickey Sikora, Campbell Memorial.

Best Original Screenplay

There are always subplots to every game. But one overwhelming theme has played itself to the forefront of this high school season.

Winner: Fitch’s quest to win the Federal League in its final year as a member of the conference.

Let’s face it, the decision by the Austintown school system to leave the Federal League after this year didn’t exactly go over with thunderous applause. So in order to make a statement, the Falcons made it their goal this year to win the conference in their last try, just as they did when Fitch entered the conference in 2003.

And at a perfect 7-0 (4-0 in conference play) that is looking more and more like a reality.

Runner-up: South Range’s turnaround from 2-8 in 2009 to 6-1 in 2010.

Best Performance

Every now and then, there is a performance by an athlete that just makes you sit back and say ‘Wow.’ And that is part of the beauty of sports. So here is the guttiest performance I’ve seen.

Winner: Matthias Tayala, QB, McDonald in week one.

Tayala, a senior, is a freak of an athlete. He’s big (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) fast and plays with a mean streak. He’s a force on the basketball court and has won state honors as in field events as a thrower.

But up until this year, he was not a football player. Actually, up until two weeks before opening night, he wasn’t a football player.

Tayala started at quarterback in the opener against Springfield — about two weeks after he took the field for the first time.

Coach Dan Williams admitted Tayala wasn’t 100 percent with the playbook. And while Tayala struggled at times, he showed flashes of the athleticism he was brought in to use.

Runner-up: Dan Graziano, QB, Girard, and Mike Lopuchovsky, QB, Hubbard in week six.

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Certainly there are many more deserving candidates, but ask any A-lister and you’re bound to hear about the snubs.

With just a few more weeks in the regular season, some of these may change. But the beauty is they’ll be plenty more to talk about for the next awards show.

I’ve got my popcorn ready.