KNOX — The Midcoast Falcons are a semi-professional football team located in Knox and play their home games on Larrabee Field.

The team first started nine years ago when the owner Don Resh decided that young men after leaving high school was missing the bonding that football players gain with each other — it's a family. Going into the ninth year, the team has become more committed to the community with community events such as the Big Brother, Big Sister Bowl that recently raised $1,400 for the group and the Knox flag football tournament that raises money to help the youth teams in Knox.

The season kicked off with a road game in Dover, New Hampshire and will continue this Saturday, July 22 at Larrabee Field. The kick off time will be 7 p.m. and the Knox boosters will provide concessions. Kids under 12 are free as are seniors and all military personal, active or retired.

The great thing about the semi-pro teams compared to pro is the players are on the field because they love that game which equals great battles on the field for spectators to enjoy. It’s football at its finest and the team is made up of local players that many may have watched when they was high school players.

The New England Football League is made up of three divisions and has functioned for over 20 years. There are currently two teams in Maine both in different divisions; the Falcons play in the A division with four home and four away games. All of the away games are in New Hampshire or Massachusetts meaning Maine players get the chance to show the talent Maine has in the sports programs. The NEFL has had players drafted for professional teams.

The Falcons are always looking for more talented players and staff and anyone interested can reach us at Facebook.com/Falconsfandf and freeteams.com/midcoastfalconsfootball. The players all have a cost associated with playing for the team; the one way we help players that aren't able to afford the cost is sponsors and this year we have many great sponsors that have allowed the team the option to bring even more young men to the field.

The roster this year has over 45 players and without the sponsors this would not have been a reality.

The Falcons want to say thank you to all the sponsors:

• Wallace Home Inspections (Bangor)
• The Treasured Leaf Tea Company (Belfast)
• Touch of Grey Tattoo (Gardiner)
• Nowetah's Indian Store and Museum (New Portland)
• Delvino's Grill and Pasta House (Belfast)
• Maine Technology Group (Winslow)
• Davincis Eatery (Lewiston)
• Quirk Auto Group (Bangor)
• Waldo County Lawn & Order (Belfast)
• Troy Shelters by Jesus Inc. (Skowhegan) 
• Downtown Home Decor (Waterville)
• Kennebec Community Church (Augusta) 
• Conley and Wirick P.A. (Bath)
• Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate (Waterville) 
• Thomas Performing Arts Center (Farmington) 
• Head Tide Upholstery (Whitefield) 
• Rumford Group Homes (Rumford) 
• Randy's Auto (Skowhegan)
• Dutch Chevrolet Buick (Belfast)
• Snack Shack (Skowhegan) 
• That Place (Benton) 
• Maine Grains (Skowhegan)
• Supplies Unlimited (Damariscotta)
• Cynthia's Bakery (Winslow)
• Major Cuts (Lewiston)
• Gull Motel (Belfast)
• Dixon’s Country Market (Benton)

James MacArthur is the General Manager of the Midcoast Falcons. 

Reach the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.