DOVER-FOXCROFT — For many players in Saturday’s Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl, it will be the last time they play a high school football game, or any organized football game. But for only one of the 90 players, Saturday’s game will be the last time he gets to play on his home field.
Capen Macomber is the lone representative from Biddeford High School in this year’s Lobster Bowl, and it’s an honor he said that he is relishing.
“It’s really important to me because I know a lot of people in the stands that have been there during the regular season will be there watching me,” Macomber said during Lobster Bowl media day at Foxcroft Academy Tuesday. “It’s an honor to be there and representing my school.”
Macomber turned heads during his senior season as a bruising fullback for the Tigers, but the 6-foot-1, 230-pounder will be lining up at defensive end for the West squad.
It will be a different spot for him than usual. Not in terms of position, however, but placement at the stadium. Macomber said the first time he attended the Lobster Bowl was as a middle schooler, watching former Tiger Justin Tarbox-Toussaint running around the Waterhouse field.
“I remember that like it was yesterday,” said Macomber.
Fast forward seven years and it is Macomber who will be wearing the “Tiger Pride” sticker on his helmet for the last time. He said being the lone representative bears some weight on his shoulders playing in front of the home crowd.
“It’s what motivated me most part. Just the dedication and stuff that I had to keep putting in to be out there. Everyone looks up to you if you’re representing your school, especially if it’s your hometown,” said Macomber.
But Macomber said all that hard work and dedication has been worth it, as playing at Waterhouse is like no other in his mind.
“It’s probably, in my opinion, the best field to play on the state. You’re only 15 yards away from the field from the stands. You’re right next to the game,” said Macomber, who has fielded questions from his West teammates regarding the field.
Saturday will be a bittersweet moment for Macomber, who is alone in getting one more chance to play on his home field for the Lobster Bowl. But it’s just one more time.
“It’ll probably hit me on Saturday once the game starts. It’ll probably be really emotional, but everyone has to go through it eventually,” said Macomber.
Small town dreams for Seagull
While the Lobster Bowl is an exclusive game, pitting some of the most outstanding senior football players from the West against their counterparts from the East, it’s also an inclusive game.
Each football team in the state gets at least one representative to send to the game. Some schools get multiple participants, as is the case with Thornton Academy and Windham, with three team members each in their respective regions.
But for small schools like Old Orchard Beach, it’s more often than not just one representative every year.
That’s the case once again this year, as Bryan Roberts is the lone Seagull representing the small town that neighbors Saco. Being that lone player isn’t lost on Roberts.
“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if you’re lucky enough. I encourage anyone who gets selected to play in this game to definitely come here because you’ll never have an experience like this,” said Roberts. “It’s a blessing to be here, to be that kid from Old Orchard representing my hometown.”
Roberts said he has seen some games at Waterhouse Field, and that no game he’s watched or played at Joe Regina Field in Old Orchard Beach can rival the atmosphere at the stadium.
“It’s intense compared to growing up in Old Orchard my whole life and watching the stands there,” said Roberts.
The single Seagull, who will line up at linebacker for the West, will have a large contingent make the short drive to cheer him on. Roberts said he hopes he can treat them to a West win.
“It would mean a lot to me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Roberts. “I’m not trying to have that one time be a loss.”
Family affair
Wells’ Chris Carney has never played a game at Waterhouse Field, but Saturday’s game will be something of a homecoming for his family. His father, Mark, represented Kennebunk in the 1991 Lobster Bowl, and his mother graduated from Biddeford High School.
Kennebunk’s Jake Boothby also has family ties to the game, as his brothers Dan and Tom played in the Lobster Bowl in 2000 and 2005, respectively.
— Sports Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or sports@journaltribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.
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