3 high school football games to watch in Week 5
Maine High‑School Football: Portland, Cony and Morse Set for Key Matchups
By Maine News Now
Portland, ME – In the middle of a hot spring football season, three rival high‑school teams are poised to clash in Saturday, Sunday, and Friday night games that could shape playoff positioning and reignite historic rivalries. The Bulldogs of Portland face the Golden Trojans of Thornton Academy in Class A, the Rams of Cony meet the Bulldogs of Lawrence in Class B, and the Shipbuilders of Morse take on the Falcons of Freeport in Class D.
Portland Bulldogs vs. Thornton Academy Golden Trojans – Saturday, 1 p.m.
Both teams enter the game with perfect 4‑0 records, a rare sight in any high‑school season. The matchup is a rematch of last year’s Class A championship, in which Thornton won 28‑0. Thornton has appeared in the last three Class A title games, holding a 2‑1 advantage, and has been a dominant force this year: an average of 45.5 points scored and only seven points allowed per game. Quarterback Noah Fullerton has distributed the ball to a range of playmakers, including Quinn Cook and Logan LeBlanc. The defense has already posted two shutouts in its first four contests.
Portland, under newly hired head coach Dylan Rottkov, has also been formidable. Averaging 34.8 points per game, the Bulldogs have built a strong rushing attack led by senior Alex Martin and sophomore David Gomes, who combined for over 300 yards in a 39‑13 win over Windham on September 18. The game is widely seen as a preview for the Class A final, with both squads already battling for a top spot in the South Crabtree conference.
Cony Rams vs. Lawrence Bulldogs – Friday, 7 p.m.
The Class B rivalry at Keyes Field in Fairfield is set to be a battle of air versus ground. Cony has been on a roll, going 4‑0 while averaging 30.5 points per game. Junior quarterback Drew Lindquist, in his first season as a starter, has thrown for 599 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. He has spread the ball effectively, with seniors Landen Perry (14 receptions, 243 yards, three touchdowns) and Da’Marion Raymond (12 receptions, 139 yards, two touchdowns) catching the passes.
Lawrence, led by new head coach Pete Curtis, has relied on a ground‑and‑pound attack and has also won all four of its games. Senior running back Keegan Littlefield carries the ball 52 times for 494 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Jaiden Hebert also had 52 carries for 298 yards and five touchdowns, while senior Hunter Curtis added 18 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
The rivalry has always been heated. Cony knocked Lawrence out of the playoffs in the 2023 Class B North final and again in the 2024 semifinal. In the regular season last year, Cony defeated Lawrence 46‑14. With both teams undefeated, the winner of this game will likely lock up the number‑one spot in the Class B North Crabtree standings.
Morse Shipbuilders vs. Freeport Falcons – Friday, 6 p.m.
In the middle of the season, the Class D South Crabtree standings are being contested by three teams: Morse, Freeport and one other school that is not listed in this preview. Morse, currently 3‑1, has notched wins over Mountain Valley, Dirigo and Lisbon, and has returned to the regional final from the previous year. Quarterback Dylan Root has been the team’s most valuable player, making plays both with his arm and his legs.
Freeport, also 3‑1, had an impressive 3‑0 start, including a 29‑28 win over defending state champions Winthrop on September 11. The Falcons were defeated 14‑6 by defending North champion Winslow last week. Quarterback Andrew Thomas has been the Falcons’ most consistent offensive threat, rushing for 151 yards and a touchdown against Winthrop. The Friday night contest between the two undefeated teams will be a key battle in a three‑way race for the top spot in Class D South Crabtree.
Looking Ahead
The weekend’s slate showcases the high level of competition across Maine high‑school football. From the aerial fireworks of Cony and the ground‑dominant play of Lawrence to the high‑scoring offense of Portland and the balanced attack of Thornton, fans have a lot to look forward to. Meanwhile, Morse and Freeport’s showdown could determine who moves ahead in the Class D South, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff push.
With all three games featuring undefeated teams and significant playoff implications, the weekend will likely see a mix of historic rivalries, emerging talent and strategic coaching. Whether you’re a fan of the Bulldogs, Trojans, Rams, Bulldogs, Shipbuilders or Falcons, the games promise plenty of excitement for football enthusiasts across the state.
