HEBRON — There are no seagulls to speak of hovering hard to the hills above the campus of Hebron Academy.

No Seagulls of the feathered kind, at any rate.

There are, however, three Gulls of the gridiron species, here, helping the West squad prepare for Saturday’s Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic.

Defensive back Zach Chase and offensive lineman Mitchell Blow will play the final game of their Old Orchard Beach careers when the top departing schoolboys in the state stream on to Waterhouse Field for the 20th renewal of this event this Saturday at 4 p.m.

And they’ll be playing for their old head coach, OOB head man Dean Plante, who will guide the West against the best seniors from the East.

Even in the backwoods of Maine, the flavor of the Beach is strong.

“It’s great,” said Blow, who was a late addition to the West lineup. “I already had a friend here. And I already played for the head coach (Plante) for four years, and knew him before that. So it’s been great.”

Chase said that playing one more game with Plante calling the shots will help give him closure for what has been for him, a very rewarding high school career.

“I feel closer to my coaching staff, already,” Chase said. “So it’s quite an experience. Quite a feeling.”

Plante said that having two of his players share in the Lobster Bowl experience is a rewarding. For them, and for him.

“It’s nice,” he said. “We have two kids who have been the best ones in their class. To see them have to compete in practice, every (repetition). You see that they belong, and that competition is healthy. It’s been fun for them, and it’s been fun for me.”

For Chase, who will enroll at UNE this fall to study athletic medicine, a Lobster Bowl appearance means upholding not one but two traditions.

Not only is he representing Old Orchard, he’s following in the footsteps of his older brother Fred, who appeared in the 2004 contest.

“Since my brother made this,” Chase said, “my only goal was to make it here. And I did.

“And (since) my team finished 3-6 last year, I feel like there’s something to make up for. If we get a victory this Saturday, it will give me good closure.”

The Lobster Bowl lineups are usually set months in advance, but, there are always at least a few last minute roster “audibles.”

When one such opening came up a few days ago, Plante turned to Blow, who was glad for the chance to put on the pads one more time.

“I’m happy to be here, and happy to be playing,” said Blow. “I didn’t think I was going to play football again. But I have one more game. I’m very happy about that.”

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.