A high school football game in Maine took on extra significance Wednesday night.
A week after the mass shootings, the Lewiston High School football team faced Edward Little High School from neighboring Auburn. The historic rivalry on the field took a backseat to shared grief as residents of both cities came together to heal.
James Taylor performed the National Anthem at a special pregame ceremony at Don Roux Field in Lewiston, and the players received words of encouragement in a star-studded set of hype videos.
"This is really one of the first steps in beginning to start the healing process in our communities," said Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline.
"This is a great thing for our community right now," added Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque. "It's more than football, it's about bringing our communities together. This is about really leaving it on the field, both physically and emotionally."
The teams in Lewiston and Auburn have an intense rivalry known as "The Battle of the Bridge." But Wednesday's game was about much more than football.
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"It's pretty special seeing the city of Lewiston and Auburn come together," said TJ Hesler, a former Lewiston football player.
"I knew it was going to be a big crowd, but I didn't expect this," said John Therrien of Lewiston. "It was heartwarming and incredible."
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"These are families that — your uncle lives across the river, your grandmother lives on the other side," said Superintendent Jake Langlais of Lewiston Public Schools. "These families are intertwined, there's a lot of bloodlines that run in between them, so the idea that we can come together tonight for this great rivalry is really what it's all about."
Lewiston won 34-18, but the scoreboard was somewhat irrelevant as community members gathered at the field.
"I know someone's got to win, and that's part of it, but no one loses tonight," Langlais said.
Earlier Wednesday, the teams got some high-profile shoutouts.
Actor Will Ferrell, former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Patriots quarterback Mac Jones all recorded hype videos supporting the teams, which were posted on social media Wednesday by Jason Fuller, Lewiston High School's athletic director.
"Hello everyone, it's Will Ferrell, and I just want to say, today's the day," the "Anchorman" star and SNL alum said. "Showdown. Lewiston versus Edward Little. Everyone's gonna be watching, everyone's gonna be talking about it. So let's bring it on. Let's bring it on like it's Donkey Kong. Have a great game. Go, fight, win — whatever that means."
"Hello folks, it's Gronk," Gronkowski added in his video. "I've been thinking about everyone in Lewiston, Maine, and I'm sending my love. I just want to give a shoutout to the Lewiston Blue Devils and Edward Little Red Eddies. We all know you guys are rivals and it's going to be a huge game, and I just want to say you guys are amazing sticking together to stay strong through these tough times. Hope to see some Gronk spike videos. Play ball — let's go!"
Kraft spoke about his love for the state of Maine, and how he used to go to Wells Beach every summer when he was a child.
"Tonight, two communities come together to celebrate a century-old tradition for the Battle of the Bridge," he said. "Despite heavy hearts, football has always brought communities together, and never has that been more important than right now. For all who are attending the game tonight, we applaud you for supporting one another, and for all those playing in the game tonight, you already are champions. Please know that the New England Patriots are all rooting for you and we love you and you have our compassion, very, very much."
Jones offered his thoughts and prayers for the people of Maine.
"I understand that the Twin Cities (Lewiston and Auburn) are coming together tonight for the Battle of the Bridge. I hope everyone has a great game, and my thoughts and prayers are with everybody," he said. "Go Pats!"
Eighteen people were killed and 13 others injured in the Oct. 25 massacre at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston. The shooter was found dead Friday.
Ferrell, Gronkowski, Kraft and Jones are just the latest celebrities to offer their thoughts following last week's mass shootings.
Actor Patrick Dempsey, a Lewiston native, issued a statement on Thursday saying he was "heartbroken" by the mass shootings.
"I am shocked, and deeply saddened by last night's tragedy in my hometown, Lewiston, Maine," he said on Instagram. "Maine's great strength is it's sense of community, and now we are being asked to come together to support everyone that has been devastated by this senseless act. My family and I are heartbroken for the victims, their families, and the community."
Horror writer Stephen King, one of Maine's best-known residents, offered his thoughts on Twitter and penned a brief opinion piece for the New York Times calling for greater gun control legislation. King grew up in Lisbon, where the gunman was found.
You can watch a livestream of Wednesday's Lewiston-Edward Little football game at https://seasoncast.com/BRGSports1 or listen to it on WIGY Radio in the Lewiston-Auburn area.
Lewiston's boys soccer team is also scheduled to play against Edward Little on Friday at 5 p.m. in the Class A North Semifinals.
