The first 16 editions of the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic football game have been largely an exercise in offensive futility for the East squad.

Only once has the team scored more than 18 points – a 55-point eruption in its most recent victory in 2003 – and five times the East has been shut out while the West has built a 14-2 lead in the series.

Daryle Weiss hopes to change all that when teams of East and West all-stars from the high school class of 2006 converge on historic Waterhouse Field in Biddeford for Friday’s 17th renewal of this football rivalry.

Game time is 7:30 p.m., with proceeds to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Weiss, the varsity coach at Rockland District High School who is serving as head coach of the East squad, has put in place a wide-open offense with big-play potential that seeks to capitalize on his team’s overall speed.

“We call it the Leav-land offense,” said Weiss, referring to an attack that features zone principles from the Rockland offense and triple-option sets gleaned from Leavitt of Turner Center coach Mike Hathaway, one of the East’s assistants. “It should be a lot of fun for the kids.”

That attack will be directed by quarterbacks Mason Barker of Mt. Blue of Farmington and Tyler Angell of Leavitt, both of whom have considerable experience operating out of the shotgun.

“Angell does a heck of a job in the triple option, he’s a playmaker,” said Weiss, “and Mason has a rifle of an arm and is a quick learner. They’re both real smart, excellent, focused football players.”

John Moloney – Barker’s favorite passing target at Mt. Blue – and Corey Witham – Angell’s favorite target at Leavitt – are the only listed wide receivers on the East roster, but a group of talented running backs led by Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist Aaron Chambers of Skowhegan figures to be part of the receiving game as well as focal points of the option attack.

Chambers will be joined in the backfield by Jim Bower of Oxford Hills of South Paris, Duncan Markie of Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, Mardy Simon of Orono and Ricky Porter of Brewer.

The East offensive line will include Foxcroft’s Josh Pelletier, Bucksport’s Chad Cottrell, Belfast’s Nick Thomann, Dexter’s Matt Hubbell, Brian Leighton of John Bapst of Bangor and tight ends Travis Shaw of Old Town and Shawn Picard of Stearns of Millinocket.

Defensive leaders for the East will be ends Ben Caldwell of Brewer, Deven Eaton of Bucksport and Josh Whiting of Skowhegan, interior lineman Dan Curtis of Rockland, linebackers James McPhee of Foxcroft, Jonathan Hart of Waterville, Brandon Bellows of Winslow and Mike McPike of Bangor, and defensive backs Ted Fabian of Messalonskee of Oakland, Chris Morris of Hampden Academy, Mike LaCasse of Skowhegan and Dylan Hanscom of Mattanawcook.

“They’ve got some athletes over there,” said West coach Mark Bonnevie of Jay. “They’ve got an outstanding offense, and they’ve got some pretty good guys on defense, too, based on the guys I’ve seen play. I think they’re doing the same thing we are, setting up their offense to play into their kids’ talents, too, and our goal is to slow them down.”

The West’s attack will be anchored by quarterbacks Mike O’Donnell of Bonny Eagle of Standish and Chris Brunick of Lisbon. Each guided his high school team to a state title last fall, O’Donnell in Class A and Brunick in Class C.

“Mike’s a tremendous athlete, he’s been doing some unreal things this week,” said Bonnevie. “He’s an unreal runner who probably could be a tailback for most teams in the state, and he throws the ball well, too. Chris is a heady player, a great leader and a smart quarterback who makes sure everybody is in the right formation.”

The West running backs are led by tailback Levi Ervin of Lisbon and fullback Aaron Arsenault of Mountain Valley. Another talented running back, Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist Ken Paul of Massabesic of Waterboro, is listed as a linebacker on the West roster.

The West features a big front line topped by 6-foot-3, 300-pound Andy Hager of Gorham, who will play at Wagner in the fall, and 6-4, 280-pound Elijah Trefts of Lisbon.

Defensive leaders include Paul, linebacker Travis Fergola of Mountain Valley, and tackle Nick Cantrell of Deering of Portland.

“They’ve got a great tailback in Levi, and a lot of size both offensively and defensively,” said Weiss, “but with the style of offense we run and the style of offense that they run, it’s speed that’s going to win the game. Whatever team is quicker should win the football game.”

LOBSTER BOWL HISTORY

(West leads series 14-2)

1990 – West 24, East 12

1991 – West 40, East 0

1992 – West 18, East 7

1993 – West 35, East 12

1994 – West 31, East 18

1995 – West 21, East 14

1996 – West 10, East 0

1997 – West 17, East 16

1998 – West 24, East 0

1999 – East 18, West 7

2000 – West 6, East 0

2001 – West 16, East 14

2002 – West 13, East 0

2003 – East 55, West 8

2004 – West 15, East 14

2005 – West 23, East 12