Area football players get one last time today to shine

HEBRON — In the middle of the summer, the last thing a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds want to do is throw on heavy football pads and stand in the hot sun on a Saturday afternoon. Yet 93 of the state’s best graduated high school football players will do just that today as they play in the 23rd annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford.

For many of the players, the Lobster Bowl will be the last time they play competitive football. Hebron Academy, where the teams have held training camp this week, may not be your typical summer vacation destination, but for the players, it’s one more chance to play the game they love.

“It is a week out of your summer, but it’s worth it,” said Wells’ Louis Ditomasso. “It’s been fun so far, so I don’t mind it. It’s one last game, so I can’t really complain.”

DiTomasso is joined on the West squad by his teammates Paul McDonough and Josh Ingalls, and his coach, Tim Roche, who is an assistant for the West.

The game not only serves as an all-star game for the best graduating seniors from the east and west, but also raises money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The 22 Shriners Hospitals across North America care for more than 100,000 patients every year.

“It’s a great honor (to play in the Lobster Bowl). A lot of great athletes have played here,” said McDonough. “And of course it’s for the kids that are at the Shriners (Hospitals), and going through what they’re going through. It kind of sets us at a high standard to look out for the kids.”

The game gives the kids a chance to play with players that they only got to see on TV before, or that they lined up against in high school.

“It means a lot, playing with all these other great players. Guys that you would see in the paper or see on TV every night,” said Massabesic’s Sam Chaves. It’s just a cool thing, and actually getting to meet them and become friends with all them. It’s real cool.”

Getting to meet other players also means having to play with rivals, and learning maybe they’re not so bad.

“Playing against Luke Libby from TA, I didn’t really know him that well until this year playing against him. But me and him are really close now, we have a really close friendship. So that was cool,” said Biddeford’s Andrew Descoteaux. “That whole Biddeford-TA rivalry, it’s kind of weird knowing that you’re pretty good friends with one of those kids now.”

During the week at Hebron, players got to mingle their opponents from the other side as well. For some players, it was tough to let bygones be bygones when the player across the table from you was your opponent in the state championship.

“I have talked to (Jordan) Hersom, a couple times,” Wells’ Josh Ingalls said of the Leavitt quarterback who Wells beat in the Class B title game. “Not much to say there. Kind of respect both ways in that aspect.”

Regional pride will be on the line as the West hopes to repeat at as winners. A 16-13 win last year pushed the West’s all-time record to 16-6 after the East had won four of the last five in the series. With one game for all the marbles, the players and the coaches won’t be holding anything back.

“I expect it to be challenging. I know the other team is not going to give us a break. I’m expecting it be a great game,” said Libby.

The game also gives a chance for Cheerleaders from the East and West to be recognized. Thirty-two deserving girls will be on the sidelines, representing their schools just like the players.

In addition to the trio of Wells players and Descoteaux, Libby, and Chaves, local athletes playing in the game are Sean Foley from Kennebunk, Jason Regis from Old Orchard Beach, and John Schroder from Sanford. Local cheerleaders include Alyssa Hartsell and Marina Lebreux from Biddeford and Jannelle Vienneau-Hathaway from Wells.

The gates open at 11 a.m. at Waterhouse Field for pre-game festivities, and game time is 4 p.m.

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