Asked what his emotions might be when he lines up today for the 23rd Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford, Logan Gaddar of South Portland offered: “Pure excitement. Everyone is going to be pumped up. It’s such an exciting game.”

The top 2012 high school graduates from the East and West will meet in the annual game that benefits Shriners’ hospitals. The West won last year, 16-13, and leads the series, 16-6. Game time is 4 p.m.

“It’s an honor to play with a bunch of players from around the state,” said Jordan Hersom of Leavitt.

Hersom will be one of the two quarterbacks for the East. The Fitzpatrick Trophy winner echoed the feelings of the rest of the players on both teams when he talked about what playing in the game means.

“We appreciate and feel fortunate to be able to play in the game,” said Hersom, who will play at Springfield (Mass.) College.

“The kids in the hospitals aren’t able to play, so we’re happy to play for them.”

Hersom said the game will be a fun experience because everyone gets equal playing time.

“Everyone has been adjusting to learning new plays and defensive formations,” he said. “I’m playing with guys I played against in football and in other sports.”

The teams will run similar offenses. The spread offense was introduced to both teams at the start of practice this week.

“Our offense has been running some of the West plays for our defense and they have been doing the same for their defense. Everyone is adjusting and looking to put it all together in the game,” said Hersom.

It was a hot week of practice for both teams at Hebron Academy. The teams had morning and afternoon sessions with frequent water breaks.

“We just blocked out the heat and looked forward to the game,” said Hersom.

Cam Olson of Cheverus and Paul McDonough of Wells will share quarterbacking duties for the West.

During practice this week, Olson said everyone was rotating in and out and getting as many reps as possible.

“We have the best in the West. There’s no question about that,” said Olson. “We’re not worried about how much playing time we’re going to get. We’re all going to play, so that’s all that matters.”

With some of the best players in the state, both teams have plenty of threats on both sides of the ball.

“We have some good quickness up front and on the outside,” said Joel Stoneton of Winthrop, the West head coach.

Gaddar, Olson and Hersom are going on to play football in college, as are several others.

Some will play other sports in college, such as McDonough and Messalonskee’s Sam Dexter, who will play baseball. For them and others, this is their last hurrah in football.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH