Top teams in Varsity Maine football polls are dominating
Thornton Academy Reigns as No. 1 in Maine’s Varsity Football Polls After a 43‑13 Victory Over Portland
Saco, Oct. 3 – Thornton Academy’s Golden Trojans secured their fifth consecutive win of the season, outclassing the Portland Bulldogs 43‑13 in a Saturday showdown in Saco. The 29‑point burst in the second half moved Thornton to the top of the Varsity Maine 11‑man football poll, where they now lead by a single point over second‑place Bonny Eagle.
A One‑Side Finish
The Trojans’ defense held Portland to just 13 points, while the offense tallied 43, the second most in the league this season. Thornton averaged 45 points per game and allowed only 8.2, and the recent victory brings the tally to 225 points scored and 41 points allowed over five games.
Portland, meanwhile, managed to stay within striking distance until halftime, keeping the score close at 17‑17 when the Trojans took control. The second‑half surge, featuring 29 unanswered points, proved too much for the Bulldogs.
Poll Numbers
The Varsity Maine staff, which votes on the 11‑man and 8‑man rankings after every game through the week’s end, placed Thornton first with 90 points and nine first‑place votes. Bonny Eagle followed with 81 points, while Lawrence, Marshwood, Oxford Hills, and Portland (also 52 points) completed the top five.
Top 11‑man teams
- Thornton Academy (9) – 90 points
- Bonny Eagle – 81 points
- Lawrence – 61 points
- Marshwood – 53 points
- Oxford Hills – 52 points (tied)
- Portland – 52 points (tied)
- Leavitt – 48 points
- Massabesic – 33 points
- Cony – 14 points
- Hermon – 7 points (tied)
- South Portland – 7 points (tied)
Other teams received votes: Kennebunk (4), Greely (1).
Eight‑Man Football Continues to Dominate
Yarmouth remains the unanimous No. 1 in the eight‑man division, racking up 294 points against 54 over five games. Cape Elizabeth’s Cape’s 40 points were all surrendered in an 82‑40 loss to Yarmouth. The Clippers’ offense, led by quarterback Iggy McGrath’s seven touchdown passes to Ellsworth and running back Stephen Connolly’s 395 yards and six scores against Cape, has been a force, while the defense has stifled even strong opponents.
Top eight‑man teams
- Yarmouth (9) – 90 points
- Old Orchard Beach – 79 points
- Stearns/Schenck – 62 points
- Old Town – 60 points
- Cape Elizabeth – 55 points
Other teams received votes: Ellsworth (14).
Upcoming Games
The next high‑profile match will take place on Oct. 24 in Saco, where Thornton will face Bonny Eagle, the league’s second‑ranked team. The game is expected to be a showcase of Maine’s top football talent.
The polls will be updated after Week 4 games, and the staff will again cast votes based on the most recent performances.
