HEBRON -- Cam O'Brien played a big role in the resurgence of the Cony High School football program last fall, helping the Rams snap a 27-game losing skid to reach the Eastern Maine Class A playoffs.

But O'Brien, a defensive end, never reached what he calls a "big stage."

"I never got to Eastern Maine (finals) or states," O'Brien said. "This is the closest I'll get to the big stage."

"This" is the 19th Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl, which will be played at 7:30 Friday night at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford.

"There's going to be a lot of talent on that field," said O'Brien, who will attend the University of Maine in Orono this fall. "This is my last hurrah."

O'Brien and the Rams started 0-4 last fall before winning four straight to make the postseason. Cony fell to Lewiston, but the Rams finished the season with a victory against Class B state champ Gardiner in the annual rivarly game between the two schools.

"We have big-game experience on our (East) team," O'Brien said Tuesday at Hebron Academy, where the East and West teams are staying and practicing for the week. "I'd like to have that experience."

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Former Oak Hill defensive back Nick Brown will see significant time at free safety for the East. Brown is the lone Oak Hill player on the East roster.

"It's actually nice because it's forcing me to meet new people," said Brown, who will play at Husson College in Bangor this fall. "It's been a good experience."

Although most players said Tuesday that they were looking forward to a fun game Friday, Brown was quick to point out that he's eager to stretch the East's winning streak to three games.

"I'm pretty competitive," he said. "I want to win this one."

The West leads the all-time series 14-4, but the East has won three of the last five meetings.

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The East's offensive line absorbed a hit Tuesday morning when former Bucksport center Dylan Small suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for the game. That leaves just one center on the roster, Mt. Desert Island's Christopher Ranco.

Coach Arthers said Cony offensive tackle John Carll may slide over to center to help fill the void.

"I've played center a little before," Carll said.

Carll added that the game couldn't come any sooner.

"If we aren't pumped up then there is no hope for us," he said. "We have to keep ourselves pumped up."

Of course, with as many as three practices a day -- each around two hours -- feeling "pumped" isn't always easy.

"Yeah, a lot of us are tired all the time," Carll conceded. "We have two-hour practices, two-hour breaks, then two-hour practices. It's tough, but a lot of fun."

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Messalonskee offensive lineman Justin Grant laughed when asked to compare the East's offense to what the Eagles ran last fall.

"It's a big change," said Grant, who will play left tackle. "I come from a double wing and now we're doing split ends and throwing the ball. We may throw the ball once or twice a game at Messalonskee."

Messalonskee coach Wes Littlefield is on Arthers' staff as the linebackers coach.

"He's a tough guy," Grant said. "He's already scaring some of the players. I'm on the offensive line and he's coaching the defense, so I don't see him much, but it's good he's here."

The Lobster Bowl marks the end of competitive football for many players, and that is true of Grant. The 18-year-old Oakland resident joined the U.S. Army and leaves for basic training in early August at Fort Benning in Georgia.

After completing basic training, Grant plans to receive training as a medic at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

"Then it's back to Fort Benning for jump school and Ranger training," he said.