Sideline Stories Noah Carpenter and Jace Negley: The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic, a Maine tradition.
Whether you’ve played in it, whether you’ve heard of it, or whether you’re hearing about it for the first time, let us introduce you to the The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic, one of the greatest sports traditions in Maine. This year the game on July 19 at Lewiston High School will mark its 35th anniversary.
The annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic is the premier high school athletic event in the State of Maine. Over 140 All-Star football players and cheerleaders from over 60 high schools across Maine are selected by the Maine Football Coaches Association to participate in this prestigious event. Since 1990, the athletes who have participated have provided Shriners Children’s with net proceeds on behalf of the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic of nearly $750,000.00.
The game has grown in popularity dating back from the early days in Biddeford to the now more than 5,000 fans who attended the game last year in Lewiston. While one team wins, the real winner is Shriners Children’s.
The Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America that provide care to children with orthopedic conditions, burns or spinal cord injuries as well those who are suffering from cleft lip and palate. These hospitals offer all services in an environment where family members feel comfortable enough so they can bond emotionally while providing treatment needed by their loved ones during difficult times, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.
Jace: Last year, our team, the West, won behind 5 touchdowns from Noah, my former high school teammate and current college teammate at the University of Maine, who was named the games MVP.
Noah: My experience at the Lobster Bowl Classic was honestly one of the best moments of my football journey. Getting the chance to play in such a respected event meant a lot to me, not just because of the high level of competition, but because it was all for a really good cause.
Jace: We think every player appreciates that the Lobster Bowl raises money for the Maine Shrine and the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Noah: Knowing that we were playing to help kids who really need it made every practice, meeting, and game so much more meaningful. I had the honor of playing quarterback, a position I take a lot of pride in, and it was truly humbling to lead a group of incredibly talented athletes from all over the state. What really made the week special, though, was the people. From day one, the coaches were all in, they believed in us, pushed us, and treated us like family. I learned so much from them, not just about football but about leadership and character.
Since players come from across the state who have played against each other to then play on the same team, it creates an instant chemistry and brotherhood.
We came in not knowing each other, but by the end, it felt like we had been teammates for years. We shared laughs, long days, tough practices, and unforgettable moments. That sense of brotherhood and unity is something I’ll never forget. The Lobster Bowl wasn’t just a game, it was a chance to grow, give back, and be part of something bigger than myself.
Jace: For some players, the game is extremely emotional because it’ll be their last high school football game. For me and Noah, it was our last before heading off to the University of Maine.
Noah: The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic reminded me why I love this sport so much and showed me how powerful it can be when used for a good cause. I’m super thankful for the friends I made, everything I learned, and the memories I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
Jace: As lifelong friends and teammates at Leavitt High School it was an opportunity to play with the top football players in the state and realize one of my biggest dreams.
While growing up playing football in the State of Maine, it is every kid’s dream to be selected to play in the Lobster Bowl. Lots of people believe that the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic is merely just an all star football game, but the game is just a fraction of the whole experience.
Prior to the game there is a week of training camp for both players and cheerleaders. This is a unique element to the game that builds relationships far beyond football. The week leading up to the game was my favorite part of the whole experience. We got to spend a whole week with our new team practicing and having fun. Not only did we get to meet new people but those relationships will go on forever. The whole week is based on being with the team from players all over the state and building meaningful connections with not only players but also coaches. Everyone involved in the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic from the organizers and coaches, to the trainers and facility staff do an amazing job, making it a great week that every player looks forward to all year.
The game is the cherry on top of an incredible week. The game was very fun and very competitive, but as I mentioned earlier we all knew that we were playing for so much more than just a football game. The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl was one of the greatest experiences of my high school career, and it is something that I will cherish forever. I want to give a shoutout and thank you to everyone who was and is still a part of such a wonderful event. The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic truly opened my eyes to how the game of football can have such an amazing impact on so many lives and it often is more than just a game. Thank you to the countless volunteers and people who make the game impossible, you and the patient at Shriners Children’s continue to inspire us every day.
In fact, even as alumni we continue to donate and give back through our NIL funds and community events to raise awareness and funds for this great cause.
Noah and Jace: If you are in a position to donate this year it would be greatly appreciated because we have seen first impact in the game but also for the children at the hospitals.
After recently finishing our first year at the University of Maine on the football team, we recognize there are a lot of similarities and experiences that we draw along from our Lobster Bowl and high school experience.
On the football team here at the University of Maine we have pillars that shape how we play football but also shape how we live our lives and those are accountability, toughness, compete, family, passion, belief. We use these pillars to strengthen ourselves on and off the field.
The feeling of being from the state of Maine and being able to represent and play for our home state is a feeling that can not be replicated. We are so grateful for the opportunity we have been given to play football at the University of Maine. We are proud to represent the wonderful state of Maine day in and day out. Go Black Bears!
Pictured (left to right): Jace Negley, Maddie Niles, Tim Lary, owner of the High Rollers Cards & Collectibles Card Show, and Noah Carpenter stand in front of the check for the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic on April 19, 2025.
Photo courtesy: Pliable Marketing