HEBRON — Jason Regis didn’t expect to be here, trading blows with the best high school players from Western Maine in preparation for Saturday’s Lobster Bowl. He thought his stature, and his school, were too small to allow him the honor of being named to a West roster that includes players who are bigger and more well-known.

“It feels pretty nice,” said Regis. “I’m kind of small compared to the other guys, but I like it. It’s pretty tiring, though. I’m pretty sore.”

Regis, a defensive end from Old Orchard Beach High School, is listed at 6-feet-0 and 180 pounds. He’s had to go up against some players almost 100 pounds heavier than him this week, something he didn’t have to deal with very often playing Class C football. Because he came from a small school in an area dominated by some of the biggest schools in the state, Regis was surprised to even get recognized. Players from OOB often get overlooked next to their neighbors to the south, Biddeford and Thornton Academy.

“(Players) from OOB haven’t gone in like two or three years,” said Regis. “So it feels good to rep your town.”

While Regis figuratively feels like the little brother to some of the Class A schools, it’s his actual big brother that he can boast to now.

“It feels really good, because my brother didn’t get to go, and he’s way bigger than me. So I get to rub it in his face,” said Regis.

Regis is out to prove this week that Class C football players can play with the big boys. He’s trying to pull some of the spotlight off of the Class A players that are much more used to it.

“Some of the Class A kids are probably a little more cocky than us, but they’re also pretty freaking good,” said Regis. “I mean we’re all getting along pretty good. It’s not like they’re (thinking) ”˜oh you’re Class C, you guys suck.’ They all know that we’re all good here.”

Regis was surprised to even get noticed among all the other West players at media day on Tuesday, thinking he would get passed by in favor of his big school teammates.

“I didn’t even think I’d be talked to by the media, just because Class C no one really cares that much about them. We play both ways and we go hard every time, so I think it’s great,” said Regis.

The Lobster Bowl’s site is a plus for Regis, who will get to play in front of some friends and family. Biddeford’s Waterhouse Field is just minutes from Old Orchard Beach, and Regis said he hopes that will draw a cheering section for him on Saturday.

“I’m hoping a lot of my buddies come, and a lot of everyone’s buddies come, and just cheer us on,” said Regis. “It will feel good if I get a sack or something and then I hear all my friends yelling.”

Like many players in the Lobster Bowl, Saturday will be Regis’ last competitive football game. For Regis, however, it’s good end because he thought he had already played his last game this past fall.

“I thought that was going to be my last time playing, my last game. And now I get to play again, it’s going to feel really good hitting more people and getting some tackles,” said Regis.

On Saturday afternoon, look for this Seagull to be flying around the field, taking on all comers, regardless of the size of their body or their school.

— Contact Wil Kramlich at 282-1535, Ext. 323.