HEBRON -- One of the challenges facing Lobster Bowl coaches is building a football team in a week. This year, that hasn't been a concern of either Skowhegan's Mike Marston, the head coach of the East, or Windham's Matt Perkins, the West head coach.

"I've coached in this thing for a few years, and that's one of those things you always wonder, how much of a challenge that's going to be. From day one, they set the tone themselves, talked to each other and got along well," Perkins said. "Forget having good players, we have some very good kids."

This year is the 18th annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl, an all-star football game created to raise money for the Shrine Hospitals for children. The West leads the series 14-3, but the series is 2-2 during the past four seasons, and the East is coming off a 22-21 win one year ago.

For players, getting to know former opponents is one of the highlights of the week.

"The Winslow guys. There's always that (rivalry)," Waterville's John Ringer said. "But they're pretty cool kids and it's been awesome getting to know those guys."

Added Gardiner's Devon Brown, "It's fun getting to know (opponents), finding out they're all nice guys. It's exciting. It's all for a good cause."

Marston has become a fixture on the Lobster Bowl sidelines over the years, but this is his first turn as head coach.

"I'm just so impressed with the character of the kids who are here. They're serious about the task at hand, what we're doing for the kids in the hospitals," Marston said. "These guys, there's no thought about what school they're from, they're all part of one team."

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A handful of players are enjoying the opportunity to play one final game for their high school coach. For Winslow's Steve Siviski, that means one last game for his father, Mike Siviski, who is an assistant coach with the East.

"At the end of last fall, I really thought it was my last football game. I was lucky enough to be selected to this and play with all these great guys," Steve Siviski said.

Siviski is joined by Winslow teammates Kevin McCabe and Justin Lindie, whose father Dave Lindie is also an East assistant coach.

McCabe's brother Chris played in the 2001 Lobster Bowl, and offered his younger brother some advice.

"You've got to be a team. Keep your head about you and know what you're playing for," McCabe said. "Playing for the kids, that's what it's all about. My dad is a Shriner. Playing for these guys, playing for the kids, that's the main purpose."

Messalonskee's Nick Ouellette and Lucas Thomas are joined in camp by their high school coach, Wes Littlefield.

"His coaching style definitely hasn't changed. The first morning, he yelled at us right away, before practice. Some things never change," Thomas said.

Added Ouellette, "It's an awesome experience to be with all these guys and to be with (Littlefield) one last time. It's a great way to end, because I'm not playing football in college."

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A number of players participating in the Lobster Bowl will continue their playing careers at the University of Maine. From the East, future Black Bears include Cony quarterback Gabe Hinds, Nokomis offensive lineman Steve Shea, running back Jared Turcotte of Lewiston and offensive lineman Robert Seccarccia of Bangor.

West players off to Orono include quarterback Chris Triester of Portland, lineman Raiboone Charles of WIndham, and wideout Ben Delcourt of Bonny Eagle.

"I've been going up four days a week to mesh with the team. Hopefully, I'm ready for it," Shea said.

The players report to Maine on August 6. The Black Bears open the season on Sept. 1 against Monmouth University.

"I'm worried about this week and this playbook, but as soon as Friday ends, I've got to scrap that and go from there and learn something new," Hinds said.

While the teams practice at Hebron Academy, the cheerleaders are training at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Representing central Maine schools are Danielle Babb (Winslow), Amber Carter (Lawrence), Kori Roderick (Lawrence) and Jennice Truman (Gardiner).

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com