Could this be another state championship game preview?

While other Class A teams would rather this rivalry stick to just one meeting in 2025, it’s certainly possible that Portland (4-0, first in A North) and Thornton Academy (3-1, second in A South), the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in this week’s Varsity Maine football poll, could meet for a third straight year in the state final in November.

For now, though, the reigning state champion Bulldogs and the 2023 champion Golden Trojans are more focused on October, specifically their showdown at 6 p.m. Friday at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

Keys to Portland victory

• Continue their upward trend on offense. The Bulldogs (31.25 points per game) are hitting their stride midway through the year, and their scoring has increased each week. Cordell Jones is developing well in his first year as the full-time QB, and the offensive line (238 yards rushing per game) has meshed as a unit after replacing three starters from 2024.

• Knock Thornton off its game. Two forced fumbles helped Portland build a 21-0 first-quarter lead against Bangor last week, before the Rams scored 26 points in the final 13 minutes when the game was already out of hand. The Bulldogs’ defense (12 sacks, six turnovers, two defensive TDs) has been a difference-maker in close games.

Keys to Thornton victory

• Create explosive plays. Connor Ayoob started his dominant rushing performance last week against South Portland with a 50-yard run, and Stevo Jones made a 91-yard house call on the next kick return. Thornton has playmaking depth in the backfield (five players have runs of 15 yards or longer), in the passing game (four players with receptions of at least 31 yards) and on special teams (three return TDs).

• Stop Jones. Portland’s no-huddle, spread offense runs through the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year. The dual-threat Jones has shown his arm to the Golden Trojans before, tossing a TD in the 2023 state final, and has an established a rapport with Alex Martin and Alex McKusick, who are both capable of making big plays.

Portland impact players

• Senior QB/DB Cordell Jones (495 rushing yards, 11 TDs; 20 for 38 passing, 239 yards, TD, INT)

•Junior RB/LB Alex Martin (279 rushing yards, two TDs; 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, INT)

• Senior OL/DL Colin Haigh (56-yard fumble return for touchdown vs. Bangor)

Thornton impact players

• Senior RB/LB Connor Ayoob (477 yards rushing, eight TDs)

• Junior QB/P Noah Fullerton (25 of 49 passing, 358 yards, three TDs, two INTs)

• Senior TE/LB Grady Hersey (38 tackles, sack, two fumble recoveries)

Last meeting

• Nov. 23, 2024: Portland, 35-14, in Class A final

What they’re saying

• “In terms of playing those close games and having a tough, difficult schedule, that’s what you prefer. You want to put your teams in adverse positions to see how they react, and I think our kids have stepped up to the plate, and they’ve made big plays in big moments. I would say they’re a little bit battle-tested and ready for a really strong game against Thornton Academy.” — Portland coach Nick Cliche

•  “‘I’ve been here a long time, I’ve had one Fitzy winner … I think we’re pretty good about spreading the ball around. And, yeah, last week was certainly Connor (Ayoob)’s week, and he’s a good one. But I think we have a lot of different ways of getting the ball to different people, taking advantage of what teams try to do to take things away.” — Thornton Academy coach Kevin Kezal