Seniors Rhylen Avery, Taylor Coffey and Natalie Lam will participate in the 35th Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic

By Eliza Allen and Isabella McCall, SPORTS WRITERS

SANFORD, Maine — This year, one Sanford football player, Rhylen Avery, and two cheerleaders, Natalie Lam and Taylor Coffey, were selected to participate in the 2025 Lobster Bowl. The game will take place on July 19, 2025.

The Lobster Bowl takes the state’s best high school football players and cheerleaders to compete on two teams, the East and the West. 

The Maine Lobster Bowl is an annual football and cheering tournament that benefits the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. 

Since the Lobster Bowl first started in 1990, it has raised over $750,000 for Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, which provides treatment for all kids regardless of their families’ ability to pay. To compete, each athlete has to raise a minimum of $500 for Shriners Hospital. 

Last year’s head football coach, Mark Boissonneault said, “With the Lobster Bowl, [Rhylen] is participating for a great cause and we wish him the best of luck.”

Avery had a successful season rushing over 1,000 yards, according to Boissonneault.

The head cheer coach, Catrina Wade said being selected is a huge achievement for seniors. They are picked by being nominated by their team and then a committee selection process.

“I’m really proud of [Natalie and Taylor]  because Sanford hasn’t had anybody go [for cheer] in years… it’s nice to have my two captains going to represent Sanford,” Wade said.