"What that team has accomplished is just amazing," said Ricker, who owns On The Rocks at 96 Lakefront St. "You're taking about a bunch of kids from a small town playing for a national championship."

The Bengals earned a spot in the national playoff following a 26-0 win Saturday over Fairlawn of Pawtucket, R.I,. in the Division 2 American Youth Football New England Championship.

The tournament begins Dec. 6 in Orlando, Fla.

But in order to compete for the American Youth National Championship, the team must raise about $25,000 in two weeks to pay for airfare and hotel accommodations, according to Rick Hill, president of the Lunenburg Youth Football and Cheerleading Association.

"It's a lot of money to raise in a short amount of time," Hill said Tuesday.

To help out, Ricker is planning a fundraiser at On The Rocks for 5 to 9 p.m Thursday, Dec. 4.

"The event is open to anyone over 21," Ricker said. "I'm going to have a bunch of hors d'oeuvres out and we're going to ask for a $5 donation at the door, but people can donate as little or as much as they can afford. Everyone will be let in."

Ricker said he has known Hill for a long time and jumped at the opportunity to help the team out.

"My patrons are extremely generous, so I know many of them will be happy to make a donation," Ricker said. "The support in this community for the team is unbelievable, so I expect we can raise a lot of money."

The Bengals, who finished the year with a 13-1 record, will compete against seven other teams from around the country for the national championship, according to Hill.

"The kids will be down there for a week," Hill said. "They will play at least two games, with an opportunity for a third if all goes well."

Hill has done a tremendous job running the league since he took over as president two years ago, Ricker said.

"He brought on a whole new board that worked extremely hard to turn the program around," Ricker said. "They are all due a great deal of credit."

The team is made up of 17 Lunenburg kids between the ages of 11 and 13.

"The kids are extremely excited for this opportunity," Hill said. "They've worked really hard all season long."

The Bengals cruised in the New England championship game, jumping out to a 20-0 lead by half-time over Rhode Island's state champions. Running back Conner Kurtz led the offense, rushing for three touchdowns and catching a fourth.

"It hasn't really hit yet, but I'm really proud of these kids," Bengal's head coach Bill Nash told the Sentinel & Enterprise following the win. "They truly deserve it. We really appreciate all the support everyone has given us all year long."

The Bengals' cheerleaders deserve a big thanks for their efforts keeping the team pumped up this year, Hill said.

"The cheerlearders did a wonderful job this season," he said.

A pep rally for the team is being organized for Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Turkey Hill Middle School, Hill said.

"We'll post the details on the team Web site," Hill said.

Ricker said he is trying to line up live entertainment for the fundraiser. Trudie's Treats has agreed to donate deserts, he said.

"Any other local businesses that want to help out can contact me," Ricker said.

Tickets to the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox will be raffled off at the event, Ricker said.

"I've got a ton of raffles lined up," he said. "We'll have a 50-50 raffle and gift wine baskets that will be raffled off."

Anyone interested in helping the team raise money can send contributions to Lunenburg Youth Football, PO Box 417, Lunenburg, MA 01462. You can also donate online at www.lunenburgbengals.com.

"It's a lot of money, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these kids," Hill said. "I hope we can get there."