Thornton Academy football dominates showdown with Bonny Eagle
Thornton Academy’s Golden Trojans outclass Bonny Eagle Scots 49‑14 in Saco
SACO, MA – In the long‑standing “mark‑your‑calendar” rivalry that has been a staple of the Class A South football circuit, Thornton Academy’s Golden Trojans defeated the Bonny Eagle Scots 49‑14 on Saturday night at the Saco High School field. Both teams entered the game undefeated, 7‑0, with Thornton holding the top spot in the Varsity Maine poll and Bonny Eagle as the consensus No. 2 team.
Thornton’s offense was fueled by quarterback Noah Fullerton, who completed 7 of 8 passes for 134 yards and rushed for two touchdowns. Receiver Logan LeBlanc, 13 years old, caught six passes for 129 yards and three touchdown receptions, and added a 90‑yard kickoff return for a score. Fullerton’s 1‑ and 5‑yard rushing touchdowns and a successful 2‑point conversion run gave the Trojans a 21‑14 lead before the fourth quarter. The Trojans’ total of 49 points came from seven touchdowns, all of which were followed by successful extra points.
Bonny Eagle’s first drive saw Lucas Klehn score from the 12‑yard line, giving the Scots a 7‑0 start. The team’s offense also featured Ben Noe, who rushed for 112 yards on 13 carries, and Drew Gervais, who added a 48‑yard touchdown run. However, the Scots’ offensive output stalled after the opening drive, with only 36 rushing yards by Klehn and a 28‑yard passing completion by Gervais. Bonny Eagle’s offense was limited to 258 yards, compared to Thornton’s 288.
Defensively, the Trojans’ front line improved dramatically after the first 126 yards allowed to Bonny Eagle’s opening drives. Senior Brody Hadiaris was a key figure, stopping a fake punt by Bonny Eagle’s punter Ben Havu just a yard short of a first down. “We let our kids make plays like that. We had three blockers for two TA defenders and we didn’t get them blocked,” Bonny Eagle coach Kevin Cooper said after the game.
Thornton’s outside linebacker Chase Paquette highlighted the team’s depth. “We’re not necessarily doing anything better,” Paquette told reporters. “We know we have more depth than any other team, and we’ll wear them down over time, and that’s all we had to do.”
Coach Kevin Kezal praised the team’s execution. “I give our coaches credit. They had a great plan and (Fullerton) executed it. He’s playing great football for us. He really hasn’t gotten the press some others have, but we think he’s dynamite,” Kezal said.
The win marks Thornton’s seventh consecutive victory over Bonny Eagle and extends the Trojans’ 13‑game winning streak against the Scots, a streak that began in 2014. The game, played before a packed crowd of alumni, fans and family, was a showcase of the high school football tradition that thrives in the region.
With the victory, Thornton maintains a perfect 8‑0 record, while Bonny Eagle falls to 7‑1. The season’s championship match will now be a must‑watch encounter between the top two teams in the division.
