SACO — The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic Board of Governors has announced the cancellation of the 31st Annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic due to the ongoing pandemic.

A trio of high school football players from the Midcoast had been selected to participate in the 2020 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl. 

Representing the Midcoast, on the East roster, were Mount View wide receiver Garrett Smith, Belfast linebacker Isaak Cummingham and Medomak Valley offensive lineman Erik Benner. 

The game had been scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Hill Stadium on the Thornton Academy campus in Saco. 

The high school all-star football game is a Kora Shrine sponsored event where 100% of the net proceeds from the game are for the benefit of the 22 Shrine Hospitals for Children across the US, Canada, and Mexico. 

The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Game was created to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care facilities available to children who desperately need this specialized care, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay, according to a news release. 

“This extremely difficult decision involved exhausting all efforts in regards to maintaining and providing a safe atmosphere for all involved, including our week long training camps and throughout game day events, while also still maintaining State of Maine and the CDC COVID-19 guidelines in conjunction with directives set forth by the Maine Principals Association in regards to High School sporting activities,” said Joe Hersom, President of the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic. 

The Board of Governors will continue to recognize and honor the 2020 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic football and cheer participants throughout 2020 and 2021, a press release stated. 

Net proceeds from funds raised thus far will be donated to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in the name of the 2020 Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic and its participants, the release stated. 

“We would like to thank all of those that have volunteered and worked tirelessly in gathering information, brainstorming solutions, and dedicating so much of their time and energy toward this great event that will continue to make a difference in the life of a child,” Hersom said.