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This season, Varsity Maine reporters will offer up suggestions each week for three games that are worth a drive to watch in person, with a brief explanation of why we think these games are worth a fan’s time.

Portland (4-0) at Thornton Academy (4-0), 1 p.m. Saturday

The midway point of the season features a rematch of last year’s Class A championship game, which Thornton won, 28-0. In fact, these two teams have played in the past three Class A title games, with Thornton holding a 2-1 advantage. The Trojans, to no one’s surprise, are chugging along again in Class A South, scoring 45.5 points per game while allowing only seven per game. Quarterback Noah Fullerton has done well spreading the ball to multiple playmakers, like Quinn Cook and Logan LeBlanc. The defense, meanwhile, has two shutouts in the first four games.

Portland has answered any questions about potential growing pains under new head coach Dylan Rottkov. Even after the graduation of the program’s all-time scoring leader, Cordell Jones, the Bulldogs are averaging 34.8 points, featuring a rushing attack led by senior Alex Martin and sophomore David Gomes. The pair combined for over 300 yards in a 39-13 win over Windham on Sept. 18. Saturday’s game could be another a Class A final preview.

Cony (4-0) at Lawrence (4-0), 7 p.m. Friday

It’s air vs. ground in this rivalry matchup at Keyes Field in Fairfield, and the winner will earn a firm grasp on the No. 1 spot in the Class B North Crabtree standings.

Coach B.L. Lippert’s air attack offense is once again on display for Cony, which has averaged 30.5 points in the first four games. Junior quarterback Drew Lindquist (599 passing yards, 7 touchdown passes, 1 interception) has done well leading the offense in his first season as the starter, equally spreading the ball to seniors Landen Perry (14 receptions, 243 yards, 3 TDs) and Da’Marion Raymond (12 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TDs).

The Bulldogs are off to a hot start behind new head coach Pete Curtis. Nothing has changed in the offensive approach, as Lawrence has ridden its ground-and-pound attack to a 4-0 record. Keegan Littlefield (52 carries, 494 yards, 4 TDs), a senior, leads that attack, along with junior Jaiden Hebert (52 carries, 298 yards, 5 TDs) and senior Hunter Curtis (18 carries, 119 yards, 2 TDs).

This is always one of the best back-and-forth rivalries in central Maine. The Bulldogs knocked Cony out of the playoffs in 2023 (B North final) and 2024 (B North semifinal), and Cony beat Lawrence 46-14 during the regular season last year.

Morse (3-1) at Freeport (3-1), 6 p.m. Friday

Halfway into the season, there’s a three-way battle at the top of the Class D South Crabtree standings, and it includes these two Midcoast schools. After reaching the regional final last season, Morse has steamed on in its first four games, with wins over Mountain Valley, Dirigo and Lisbon. Quarterback Dylan Root has been Morse’s biggest weapon, making plays with his arm and his feet.

Freeport jumped out to a 3-0 start, including a 29-28 win over defending state champion Winthrop on Sept. 11, before falling 14-6 to defending North champion Winslow last week. Quarterback Andrew Thomas has been Freeport’s most consistent offensive threat. He rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown against Winthrop.