Lewiston’s Eli Bigelow turns the corner and looks for running room during a September 2022 game against Leavitt in Turner. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Eli Bigelow and Farid Muhammad-Aceto can proudly say they played a key role in the revival of Lewiston’s football program after their final high school game at Don Roux Field on Saturday.

But don’t look for them to brag or for hints of arrogance from the pair, who as prolific running backs and key defensive players helped the Blue Devils to an impressive 5-3 regular record and a third-place finish in Class A last fall. It was the first time Lewiston won more than two games since 2017 and the program’s first winning record since 2011.

Bigelow and Muhammad-Aceto will be playing for the East squad in Saturday’s Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl at 4 p.m. at Lewiston High School. Gates open at 1 p.m. 

“I think we played a big role in reviving the program,” said Bigelow, who is listed as a running back on the East roster. “I think we kind of helped show the younger kids at our school kind of what it takes to help grow the program. 

“Obviously, going into the year with a new coach, having 30, maybe 40 kids to going into a senior year (then) having 70, almost 80 (players) at one point (in 2022), I honestly think we did play a big role helping grow the program.”

Lewiston coach Jason Versey, who will serve as an assistant for the East squad on Saturday, said Muhammad-Aceto and Bigelow played critical roles during their final season — and his first leading the team.

“I don’t know two better kids that have represented Lewiston High School football program better than these guys this year,” Versey said. “Being a first-year coach last year, to be able to have those two guys to kind of be the cornerstone of our football program, was really special.”

Muhammad-Aceto learned only last week that he would be playing in the Lobster Bowl. He said Bigelow was happy to have another Blue Devil by his side at training camp at Foxcroft Academy.

“I texted Bigelow and I said, ‘Hey, I am playing in the game,’ and he was excited because he didn’t know no one else here, and I didn’t know anyone else here, and it is really good having teammate to play with,” Muhammad-Aceto, who is slated to play linebacker for the East, said.

Farid Muhammed-Aceto of Lewiston High School is tackled by Makai Bougie, left, and Adrian Zea of Sanford High School during a Class A quarterfinal in Lewiston in November. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Muhammad-Aceto agrees with Bigelow that they had an impact on the Lewiston program.

“A lot of the energy got brought back with us,” Muhammad-Aceto said. “Like when we played in ’20-21 and before, we’d go into a game, like, basically expecting to lose.

“Even if we didn’t improve, like, drastically, like, physically or what not, this year I know that energy and motivation was definitely a lot better, a lot more present than it was in the past.”

Versey said that Bigelow and Muhammad-Aceto have set a precedent for the Blue Devils’ future.

“They bought into the program. They bought into the culture, and they led quietly,” he said. “They showed up consistently throughout the year leading up to the season, so they led by example. They definitely raised the bar for everybody else in the program going forward.”

Bigelow is bound for Central Maine Community College, where will study construction and play basketball. Muhammad-Aceto, who graduated sixth in Lewiston High School’s Class of 2023, will be heading to the University of Vermont to collect a business degree.

Versey said that playing in the Lobster Bowl is a tribute to Bigelow and Muhammad-Aceto.

“They are special kids, not just great football players, but really special kids,” he said. “(They are) kind, compassionate, empathetic great leaders. Both of them were captains for our football program, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

The two Blue Devils have the opportunity to finish their careers on the field where much of it played out. While Bigelow is excited that the Lobster Bowl is at Lewiston High School, he isn’t certain that playing on their home field will give he and Muhammad-Aceto or their team much of an advantage Saturday.

“I’ll say, ‘Yeah,’ but at the end of the day, probably not,” Bigelow said with a grin.

Muhammad-Aceto doesn’t think their familiarity with Don Roux Field will have much of an impact.

“I don’t really understand the home advantage thing,” he said. “I guess you feel more comfortable … I guess I like playing on the home field. It is a good field.”

What matters most, Bigelow points out, is the reason for the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl — to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

“There are a lot of other kids that can’t do what we’re doing. and they would love to trade places with us in a heartbeat,” Bigelow said. “So I think it is very important.”