HEBRON — It’s a Maine rite of summer.

Deep in the woods of Hebron, a quiet morning is interrupted every few moments with the thwack of shoulder pads and blowing of whistles.

It’s here at Hebron Academy, miles from anything resembling fun for an average teenager, where the best senior football players in the state gather once again to prepare for the 22nd Annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic.

This year, eight area representatives (seven players, one coach) will participate in all-star game, which will be hosted for the 20th consecutive year at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford on Saturday.

Playing for the West will be Nick Gagne of Biddeford, Josh Woodward of Thornton Academy, Shawn Goodrich of Sanford, Ethan Drigotas of Kennebunk and Andrew Hammond of Massabesic.

At Media Day on Tuesday, players were already getting the itch to suit up and play each other.

“It’s exciting,” Goodrich said. “I’ve been wanting to play in this ever since I started playing football in high school. I’m pretty excited to play.”

Wells will have the most representatives out of the area with three in linebacker Chad Whitten, offensive lineman Alex Robinson and head coach Tim Roche, who will serve as an assistant under Leavett head coach Mike Hathaway.

One of the interesting aspects of the game each year is the joining of players who were once rivals, but for one contest, join forces. It’s especially strange for Woodward, a Thornton player, playing with Gagne, a Biddeford product, after the Tigers defeated the Golden Trojans in the Battle of the Bridge game last fall.

“It’ll be fun to play at Waterhouse one last time,” Woodward said. “Especially after the disappointment (of the Battle of the Bridge game). But it’s a charity game, and we’re looking to have fun and hopefully get the win back for the West.”

The contest goes beyond just the game of football, as 100 percent of the proceeds from the game goes to benefit the Shriners Children Hospital and Shriners Burn Institutes. Of the 125,000 patients that attend both institutions, 1,500 come from Maine.

“It puts things in perspective,” Drigotas said. “I get to play football, and it’s great to do this. It’s great that we get to play football and help people out at the same time.”

But just because the game is for a good cause doesn’t mean bragging rights aren’t on the line. While the West holds the all-time record over the East at 15-6, the East has won four of the past five contests, including a high scoring affair from last year, a game in which the East bested the West 40-35.

There’s plenty of talent to suggest the West has a chance to win in 2011. Sharing the quarterback duties will be Jamie Ross of Deering, who will play for Division II Sacred Heart University next season, along with Peter Gwilym of Cheverus, who won the Fitzpatrick Trophy after leading the Stags to the Class A state championship last fall.

Most players haven’t played in months, meaning players have a week to get ready to get into football shape again.

“Most of us haven’t played in months now,” Gagne said. “We’ve got to get back in that football shape. It’s totally different than any other sport.”

The festivities will kick off Saturday with the second NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition. A new tradition will begin this season, as a Lobster Bowl alumni flag football game will be held at noon. Kickoff for the Lobster Bowl is scheduled for 4 p.m.

— Staff Writer Dan Hickling contributed to this story. Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535 ext. 318 or follow on Twitter @Dave_Dyer.