Dexter’s Beem and FA’s Johnston chosen for Lobster Bowl

A pair of area senior football players have been selected to participate in the 2018 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 21 at Thornton Academy in Saco.

Chosen for the East team — made up of high school seniors from Classes A, B, C, and D — is Dexter Regional High School’s Tyler Beem and Reggie Johnston of Foxcroft. Beem is listed as a linebacker and Johnston is listed as a defensive lineman.

The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic will mark its 29th consecutive year this summer with Lobster Bowl XXIX. The all-star football game is a Kora Shrine sponsored event where 100 percent of the net proceeds from the game are for the benefit of the 22 Shrine Hospitals for Children across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic has been created to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care facilities available, regardless of the patient’s’ ability to pay, to children who desperately need this specialized care.

This East vs. West match-up, brings over 150 football players, cheerleaders and coaches from all over the state together to help produce what is considered the premier high school sporting event held in Maine. All participants commit to a week long training camp where they make new friends and more importantly, learn why they play the game — “Strong Legs Run … So that Weak Legs May Walk”.

The student-athletes have just graduated and are about to enter college. They are nominated to play in the prestigious game by their coaches and selected by a committee from the Maine Athletics Association.

Heading into the 2018 edition, the West holds a 19-9 lead in the all-time Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic standings. The West won the game last year by a score of 55-18.

Approximately 90 players from around the state will begin preparation for this year’s contest during a pregame camp to be held July 15-20 at Foxcroft Academy. East and West rosters are subject to change over the next three months.

Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
LOBSTER BOWL-BOUND — Dexter senior Tyler Beem has been chosen to take part in the 2018 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic. The game is scheduled for Saturday, July 21 at Thornton Academy in Saco, and contest proceeds benefit Shrine Hospitals for Children.

Photo courtesy of Foxcroft Academy
PONY IN THE LOBSTER BOWL — Foxcroft Academy senior Reggie Johnston has been selected for the East team in this year’s Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic. Before hitting the field on July 21 Johnston will be in familiar territory as players from both teams will take part in training camp held again this year at Foxcroft Academy.