When it comes to Portland and Deering high school football games, the first thought is the city rivals’ ancient Thanksgiving Day contest, now an exhibition game. Portland won the 112th meeting last November, 21-18.

The teams meet at 6 p.m. Friday at Deering’s Memorial Field, and this one counts in the Class A North standings.

Defending Class A champion Portland is 2-0 with gritty wins against Oxford Hills (21-7) and at Windham (28-21). Deering, in Class A for the first time since 2018, is 1-1. The Rams bounced back nicely from a 21-0 loss at Bangor with a 54-31 win against Edward Little.

Keys to Portland victory

• Keep getting complementary run-game support from Alex Martin. Every defense must focus on Portland quarterback Cordell Jones because of his big-play ability. Martin, a junior back, keeps defenses honest.

• The Bulldogs’ defense must pursue and gang-tackle. Deering had three TD runs of 59-plus (and six at least 18 yards long) against Edward Little, rushing for a total of 427 yards. Deering will gain yardage. Portland needs to eliminate big plays.

Keys to Deering victory

• Keep Cordell Jones from breaking Portland’s all-time scoring record. Jones is tied with Ed Bogdanovich for Portland’s all-time TD mark with 48. Chances are he’ll score once and get that record. But if Jones gets 17 points to break Bogdanovich’s career point record of 308, that’s likely too much for Deering to overcome.

• Sustain and convert long drives. That’s been the Rams’ M.O. under coach Brendan Scully. While they have the athletes to bust big plays, Deering will benefit if its stout offensive line and talented backs keep control of the ball and the game.

Portland difference makers

• Senior QB Cordell Jones (164 rushing yards and 4 TDs vs Windham); junior RB Alex Martin (112 rushing yards vs Windham, INT return TD vs Oxford Hills); junior PK Justin Bouchard (7-7 on PATs).

Deering difference makers

• Senior RB/LB Joey Foley (15 carries, 237yards, 3 TDs, 12 tackles vs. EL); senior RB/DE Zeke Dewever (2 rushing TDs); sophomore QB Nathan Foley (1 TD pass, 1 TD run); senior TE/DE Corbin Burke (1 TD catch, blocked punt for TD).

Last regular-season meeting

Sept. 10, 2021: Portland won, 40-0

Coaches’ comments

“We’re certainly still a team in progress, focusing on getting better. Our first game, we were strong on defense and not as much offensively. … Last week we were able to spread the ball around more. It felt like we were finally getting into our groove. With replacing three linemen up front, it takes awhile.” — Portland coach Nick Cliche

“We’re athletic. Our challenge I think now is one a lot of folks would probably enjoy. I feel like I have five, six guys who should touch the ball regularly, and that’s challenging to do because there’s only one football. So we’re working at it.” — Deering coach Brendan Scully