It’s clear by this point of the season which Maine high school football teams have potent offenses.

Now it’s time to find out if they also have the goods on defense.

CLASS A BATTLE

Saturday in Saco, two of the top three teams in the Varsity Maine poll meet when No. 3 Portland (4-0) takes on No. 1 Thornton Academy (4-0). These teams have met in three consecutive Class A title games. Thornton won in an upset in 2023 and rolled to a 28-0 win in 2025; Portland dominated in its 2024 victory.

Since 2018, Thornton has played in seven straight Class A championship games and is 72-8 against Maine teams (73-12 overall). Portland and Oxford Hills are the only in-state teams to beat Thornton more than once (both three times).

In its three-plus seasons back in Class A, Portland is 32-5 against Maine opponents (33-6 overall). Three of its five in-state losses were against Thornton (the other two vs. Bonny Eagle).

Both teams are more balanced offensively this season after the graduation of Thornton’s Fitzpatrick Trophy winner, Connor Ayoob, and Portland’s Cordell Jones, the Varsity Maine Male Athlete of the Year in 2025-26.

Thornton’s second-year starting quarterback, Noah Fullerton (26 of 32, 381 yards), has more touchdown passes (8) than incompletions (6) and hasn’t thrown an interception. He was 9 of 10 for 156 yards and 2 TDs last Friday in a 42-0 win against Westbrook.

Brennan Tabor (40 carries, 353 yards) and Josiah Blain (31 carries, 207 yards) are sharing the running reps with Caleb Parenteau (20 carries, 148 yards), who has been effective in a backup role. Thornton is averaging 328 yards and 45.4 points per game.

Portland sophomore David Gomes (38 carries, 414 yards) has emerged as a strong complement to top back Alex Martin (62 carries, 629 yards). With solid play from quarterback Reece Wildes (32 of 52, 499 yards), the Bulldogs are averaging 409 yards and 34.8 points.

This will be a competitive step up for both teams, though Thornton has beaten New Hampshire nemesis Bedford and South Portland (2-2). Portland’s four opponents are a combined 3-12.

Expect both Portland’s 10.1 yards per carry average and Fullerton’s 81.3% completion rate to dip Saturday. The winner will likely be the team that comes closest to its average production.

VARIETY IN TWO FORMS

Fun fact: This is the first time since 2018 that Cony vs. Lawrence will take place at Keyes Field in Fairfield. The B North rivals both enter Friday’s game 4-0. Cony’s spread offense, featuring a diverse passing game, contrasts sharply with the wing-T stylings that have defined Lawrence for decades.

“Lawrence can attack the A, B, C and D gap. They make you defend the full width of the field with their run game. That’s a challenge,” said Cony coach BL Lippert. “Against us, teams are always going to try to take away one thing and then we adapt.”

Lawrence and Cony have each beaten Fryeburg Academy, Skowhegan and Mt. Blue. In those three games, Lawrence had a cumulative 72-point margin. Cony (plus-25) had to rally to pull out wins against Fryeburg and Skowhegan.

Look for Lawrence’s top backs, Keegan Littlefield and Jaiden Hebert, to continue to chew up big yardage. The Bulldogs’ defense will try to dial up some pressure in an attempt to get Cony junior quarterback Drew Lindquist (55 of 87, 692 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT) a bit flustered.

ANYTHING LEFT IN THE TANK?

How much energy will Marshwood and Noble have after Marshwood’s 52-51 win last week? That game had no punts, no turnovers and 10 lead changes — eight in the second half.

Marshwood (4-0) has momentum but now enters the heart of its B South schedule with a trip to Falmouth (2-2), which has won two straight.

After being pummeled by Marshwood’s wing-T (47 carries, 384 yards), the banged-up Knights (2-2) now have to figure out another option-style ground-and-pound offense in Massabesic’s Veer offense.

Massabesic (3-1) doesn’t have gaudy offensive numbers, but its 213-81 edge in rushing yards per game is telling. Plus, opposing QBs are completing less than 44% of their passes.

First-year Massabesic coach Cory Woodsome credits his offensive line — tackles Gavin Pomerleau and Isaac Best, guards Cam Goodson and Turner Knox, center Eli Tibbetts and tight end Nolan Pomerleau — for the team’s success. Best, Goodson and Knox are sophomores.

“It’s the guys up front. We really instill in these guys the importance of playing with a low pad level,” Woodsome said. “This style is how everybody used to teach blocking. The low man wins.”