WATERVILLE – Area youngsters will have a chance to receive some football instruction and tips from a pair of Super Bowl champion players and a former New England Patriots player and coach this weekend.

Patriots linebackers Eric Alexander and Pierre Woods will join Ray Hamilton for the 12th annual Central Maine Youth Football Clinic at the Alfond Youth Center on North Street on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

All-Pro defensive lineman Ty Warren was scheduled to attend as well, but has to miss the clinic due to a family commitment, according to clinic assistant director Mike Blanchet.

The clinic’s format has changed a bit this year as the youth center is charging a $50 fee for all three days rather than a daily fee. It’s open to boys and girls entering grades 1 through 8 and will take place rain or shine.

“We have almost 50 kids pre-registered already, so we should have a very good turnout this year, plus the weather is supposed to be great this weekend,” Blanchet said.

The clinic will start with a two-hour session Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday’s schedule is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday’s goes from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday’s session includes a barbecue lunch with the players. Participants will also be able to get autographs from, and have pictures taken with the players.

Alexander is entering his fifth season with the Patriots after originally signing as a rookie free agent out of Louisiana State University in 2004. Alexander is listed No. 2 on the depth chart at inside linebacker. Woods was also signed as an undrafted free agent, out of the University of Michigan in 2006. He’s currently Mike Vrabel’s backup at outside linebacker.

Hamilton played defensive end and nose tackle for the Patriots from 1973 through 1981 and started 117 of 132 games for the Pats.

For more information or to pre-register, call Blanchet at 778-9539 or e-mail him at blanchets@verizon.net.

aneff@bangordailynews.net

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