Varsity Maine football polls recognize early statements by unexpected teams
The Varsity Maine football polls for Week 2 of the 2026 season were released, marking the second set of rankings of the year. The polls, based on games played between Sept. 10 and 12, were voted on by the Varsity Maine staff and rank the top 10 teams in the 11-man classification and the top 5 in the eight-man classification. First-place votes are noted in parentheses, followed by total points.
In the 11-man poll, Thornton Academy earned the No. 1 ranking with nine first-place votes and 90 points. Bonny Eagle placed second with 72 points, while Portland moved into third with 59 points. Lawrence, which hired Pete Curtis to replace longtime coach John Hersom, sits fourth with 54 points and is considered an early favorite to win Class B North. Marshwood completed the top five with 41 points.
The remainder of the top 10 included Massabesic (38 points), Leavitt (33), Oxford Hills (29), Cony (24) and Westbrook (13). Massabesic, which defeated Kennebunk 26-0 after a close win over Bangor, jumped from outside the rankings to sixth. Kennebunk had been ranked third in the previous week's poll. Oxford Hills, ranked eighth, has dominated its first two opponents, Windham and Deering, with its Week 1 victory over Windham gaining extra luster after the Eagles later beat Sanford.
Several other teams received votes in the 11-man poll: Noble (9 points), Kennebunk (7), South Portland (7), Greely (5), Cheverus (4), Edward Little (4), Hermon (3), Biddeford (2) and Freeport (1).
In the eight-man poll, Yarmouth claimed the top spot with eight first-place votes and 89 points. Old Orchard Beach received one first-place vote and finished second with 71 points. Old Town, which moved to eight-man football this fall, placed third with 54 points after outscoring Orono and Mount Desert Island 98-18. Stearns/Schenck was fourth with 49 points, and Cape Elizabeth, coming off a 1-6 season, was fifth with 43 points after scoring 108 points in its first two games.
Other eight-man teams receiving votes included Ellsworth (27 points), Spruce Mountain (14) and Maranacook (13).
The early polls reflect a number of teams that have made impressive starts, drawing attention from across the state. Whether these performances will hold up as the season progresses remains to be seen, but they have certainly turned heads in the early going.
