WATERVILLE – For many of the 87 players participating in the 15th annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl on Friday night, this week of double sessions at Colby College is not only a chance to prepare for one final high school fling, but an opportunity to begin getting in game shape for football at the next level.

For some, like Rob Sampson of Deering of Portland, Devin Shepard of Brunswick and Ben McPherson and Derek Runnells of Winslow, the next level will come at the University of Maine, perhaps more than a year from now once they get accustomed to life in a Division I-AA program.

For others, like Mike Prentiss of Bangor and Phil Warren of Brunswick, their next games are likely to come much sooner.

Prentiss, who as a first-year tailback at Bangor High School last fall rushed for more than 2,000 yards to lead the Rams to the Eastern Maine Class A championship game, said he plans to attend Husson College this fall and join the Braves’ second-year football program.

“I haven’t been doing a lot this summer except working,” said Prentiss, a semifinalist for the Fitzpatrick Trophy given annually to Maine’s outstanding senior football player. “This is a good chance to get into shape.”

Warren, a Fitzy finalist who led Brunswick to its first Eastern Maine title in more than 40 years, will prep for a year at the Kent School in Connecticut before pursuing a Division I-AA career of his own, perhaps at the University of New Hampshire.

“I’m in decent shape,” said Warren, a fullback who selected Kent over Bridgton Academy after rushing for 1,800 yards as a senior at Brunswick.

“I’ve got the rest of the week to get ready for this game, and then I can build off what I did here to get ready for the season.”

The Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford.

Marston poised to lead Indians

Mike Marston loves coaching football, particularly defense.

He also loves a challenge, which he faces as the new head football coach at Skowhegan Area High School this fall.

“We graduated 22 starters and 25 seniors,” said Marston, defensive coordinator for the East team that will play in the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl on Friday night. “But we have a very committed senior class coming in, and they’ve all worked very hard in the weight room. They feel like they want to go out and see what they can do.”

Marston has been a central Maine football coaching fixture for 25 years, including four as head coach at Messalonskee of Oakland (1985-88). He also has served two stints as an assistant at both Messalonskee and Skowhegan, and spent the last three seasons as Skowhegan’s defensive coordinator – helping the Indians to three straight postseason appearances.

Marston also spent several years as an assistant coach at Colby College, including time as the Mules’ defensive coordinator.

Marston replaces Bob LeCours, who left after six seasons to take a teaching-coaching position at Lecanto (Fla.) High School. During his tenure, LeCours led Skowhegan to a 32-26 record, including three trips to the Pine Tree Conference Class A playoffs.

Last fall, the Indians finished 5-4 after dropping an 18-0 decision to Mt. Blue of Farmington in the PTC quarterfinals.

“I really wasn’t planning on [becoming a head coach again],” said Marston.

“But when the opportunity presented itself, a lot of the kids asked if I was going to apply, so I did and I was very pleased when Skowhegan chose me to be the head coach.”

Preseason practices at Skowhegan begin on Monday, Aug. 16, with the Indians’ 2004 season opener scheduled for Friday, Sept. 3, at Cony of Augusta.

“The tradition the school has in football is a strong point,” said Marston.

“It’s still a big event in Skowhegan when there’s a football game in town, and the kids know the responsibilities that go with that.”

Bartley, Withee win honors

Greenville’s Michaella Bartley and Foxcroft’s Josh Withee are two of the high schoolers to receive scholarships from the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.

Bartley will be awarded with a Marie W. Noel softball scholarship, along with Sacopee of Cornish’s Shaila Delea and Noble of Berwick’s Brittany Tibbetts.

Withee, who earns a Edward J. “Packy” McFarland baseball scholarship. Other winners are Oak Hill of Sabattus’ Patrick Duchette and Cony of Augusta’s Adam Vachon.

The scholarships will be awarded at the Hall of Fame induction banquet Sunday at the Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland.

Each scholarship is worth $600. The Hall of Fame selects winners based on athletic and academic accomplishments, leadership, sportsmanship and community involvement.