Glover, Dowland playing in Lobster Bowl classic

REGION -- The opportunity to participate in the annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl classic has become larger than life for between recently graduated seniors from throughout the state.

Local standouts Ryan Glover and Jake Dowland will each experience it first hand this Friday.

Glover and Dowland were each selected for to the prestigious event and were teammates on the West. Every football team from the state is represented.

The game will be played at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford. The endeavor has become quite important and truly worthwhile because 100 percent of the net proceeds benefit the for the 22 Shrine Hospitals nationwide, including the hospital in Springfield, MA.

The players each enjoyed stellar careers for their respective schools. Each earned All-Conference and/or State honors based on their skills while standouts on offense and defense. Dowland played on Dirigo's '09 Class C state team. Glover Mountain Valley teams that won Class B state championship in 2010.

When Glover and Dowland buckled on a football helmet, they each extended 100 percent effort for the Falcons and Cougars. Glover, 5-11, 220 pound tri-captain, was a two-way starter at right guard and middle linebacker whose tenacity is unequaled. It begins with devastating blocks on the offensive line. Defensively, Glover has earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the state.

“Ryan is a great player,” said MV coach Jim Aylward following the season. “He is tough as nails, fundamentally solid player and Ryan is our leader. He has a great respect for the game and his teammates.”

Glover also won a wrestling state championship at 285.

Dowland, 5-11, 195-pound tri-captain, was a four-year starter for Dirigo, the majority playing both offense and defense. He was an offensive lineman for three seasons before switching to fullback his senior year. Dowland rushed for 257 yards on 77 carries, including three touchdowns. His major role was as a leading blocker for Bryan Blackman.

“Jake is an exceptional football player, student, and person,” said Dirigo coach Dave Crutchfield during the season. “He truly loves the game of football, He was always a running back in his youth years through middle school. His freshman year, he had a chance to start on the high school varsity team as a guard. He did an awesome job as a guard and was instrumental with the 2009 Dirigo state team.”

Dowland, a Peru resident, proved to be a force at inside linebacker having compiled a team-leading 102 tackles.

Last fall, Glover and Dowland were each considered for the Rudy Award, a $2,5000 scholarship that is awarded annually to high school football players throughout the United States.

Former Falcon teammates Cam Kaubris, Christian Durland, Taylor Bradley, Dean McCrillis, Derek Sicotte, Justin Staires and brothers Matt and Ryan Laubauskas each played in the Lobster Bowl. Dirigo players have included Spencer Ross, Kevin O’Leary, Aaron Fenstermacher and Nic Crutchfield.