Thornton football dominates in second half to beat Portland
Thornton Academy Rallies Past Portland 43‑13, Advances Toward Another Title Showdown
Location: Saco, Maine
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Competitors: Thornton Academy Golden Trojans (5‑0) vs. Portland Bulldogs (4‑1)
In a game that stretched over four quarters, the Thornton Academy football team turned a sluggish first half into a decisive 43‑13 victory over Portland on the Trojans’ home field in Saco. The win not only improves Thornton’s perfect record but also puts them one step closer to a possible fourth straight meeting in a Class A championship game.
The First Half: Portland Sets the Tone
From the opening whistle, Portland’s ground attack—led by senior running back Alex Martin—looked unstoppable. Martin, who would finish with 30 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns, gorged the Thornton defense with a series of powerful runs. His eighth carry turned into a 28‑yard touchdown that put the Bulldogs ahead. The Portland offense, anchored by twin fullbacks Dom Huntington and Bailey Jordan, kept the Trojans’ front seven guessing, and the Bulldogs built a comfortable lead by halftime, albeit by just a single point.
The Turning Point
Thornton’s quarterback Noah Fullerton noticed something early. “We fixed some things we weren’t doing right in the beginning, the energy was off,” he said after the game. The Trojans’ adjustment sparked a second‑half surge that erased Portland’s halftime advantage.
Fullerton’s arm became the catalyst. He spread the ball to multiple receivers, most notably Logan LeBlanc, who hauled in four receptions for 124 yards and three touchdowns. LeBlanc’s 97‑yard catch‑and‑run in the second quarter gave Thornton its first lead, and a 20‑yard slant later in the game turned into his third score.
Running back Brennan Tabor added a dynamic presence on the ground and in the passing game. He rushed 14 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns, and also caught a 30‑yard screen pass that capped a Thornton drive in the third quarter. Tabor’s ability to both run and receive kept the Bulldogs’ defense honest throughout the second half.
Defensive Playmakers
The defensive battle featured several pivotal moments. Josiah Blain, a linebacker for Thornton, forced a critical fumble on Martin late in the first half, setting up the Trojans’ field position that led to a quick score. Blain, who also contributed 13 carries for 82 yards on offense, was described by coaches as a key factor in the turnover.
Portland’s defensive effort earned praise as well. Bulldog coach Dylan Rottkov noted, “I’m proud of our guys for playing with them as long as we did. It’s a conditioning thing. We need to play harder for four quarters.”
On the special teams side, Carter Moody blocked a 33‑yard field‑goal attempt by Justin Bouchard just before halftime, a play that kept Thornton in the game and swung momentum in the Trojans’ favor.
Post‑Game Implications
The victory improves Thornton’s overall record to 5‑0 and maintains the series edge at 4‑3 in their favor since the 2023 championship. Both schools have met in the Class A title game for three consecutive seasons, with Thornton capturing the crown in both 2023 and 2025. With strong challengers looming—Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, South Portland, and Oxford Hills—another Thornton‑Portland championship clash now looks increasingly likely.
Portland’s coach, Kevin Kezal, summed up his team’s performance: “Getting to halftime with a lead, where we felt we didn’t play a great first half, was big. And then we stressed to our kids, ‘Play 48 minutes.’ You’re a tough team to beat when you play 48 minutes. We just kind of took control of the game in the second half.”
Statistical Highlights
Thornton Academy:
Noah Fullerton – 7/11 passing, 162 yards, 4 TD
Logan LeBlanc – 4 receptions, 124 yards, 3 TD
Brennan Tabor – 14 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD; 1 reception, 30 yards, 1 TD
Josiah Blain – 13 rushes, 82 yardsPortland:
Alex Martin – 30 rushes, 219 yards, 2 TD
Reece Wildes – 2/6 passing, 39 yards
The Trojans’ ability to dig deep, adjust their energy, and execute a balanced attack proved decisive. As both teams continue to fine‑tune their games, fans can expect another high‑stakes showdown later this season, with the potential to add another chapter to this compelling rivalry.
