Prediction: Portland (Maine) comes up short of Class A title

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to New England and look at Portland, Maine’s reigning Class A state champion. The Bulldogs are coming off a banner year, but will have to replace some key pieces on both sides of the ball as they aim to repeat as champs. Stacked with some of Southern Maine’s top talent, will Portland be able to outshine the field for another championship?

Player Spotlight: ATH Cordell Jones

Cordell Jones returns coming off a season that saw him win the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year as an athlete. Playing wide receiver, running back and Wildcat quarterback, Jones can make plays from anywhere on the field. The Maine commitment totaled 1,562 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns for the Class A champs. As a junior, Jones rushed for 971 yards on the ground, scoring 16 times and had just under 600 through and air, with nine more scores. On defense, Jones was a key contributor in the secondary as he notched 46 tackles, three for a loss and intercepted two passes.

Others to watch: WR/DB Charlie Abramson-Thompson, QB Reece Wildes, ATH Alex Martin, K Justin Bouchard

Season Prediction: 6-2

A lot has happened since Portland won last year’s state championship. Sean Green stepped down as the program’s head coach, but the school has since named Nick Cliche as the next lead man of the Bulldogs. The transition for Portland should be seamless as Cliche was on staff last season under Green, so not much should change under his watch. What will change is the amount of firepower the Bulldogs had compared to last season, with quarterback Louis Thurston having graduated. This will take away a little from Portland’s offense and though they just won a state championship, the Bulldogs will finish just behind Thornton Academy in Class A.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Sept. 12 – at Windham (Maine) Eagles – W
Portland’s title defense begins with a convincing 38-7 rout of Windham.

Sept. 19 – at Deering (Maine) Rams – W
Two up and two down in the win column as the Bulldogs make easy work of the Rams.

Sept. 26 – Bangor (Maine) Rams – W
Back to back weeks playing a team with the mascot name Rams and the result plays out no differently.

Oct. 3 – at Thornton Academy (Maine) Trojans – L
Just when the Bulldogs thought they had found the formula to upending Thornton Academy after last season, they lose a 28-21 heartbreaker on the road.

Oct. 10 – Bonny Eagle (Maine) Scots – W
The Bulldogs bounce back with a 20-point win over the Scots.

Oct. 17 – Lewiston (Maine) Blue Devils – W
Portland doesn’t play with their food in this one as the team cruises against the Blue Devils.

Oct. 24 – Exeter (N.H.) Blue Hawks – L
Playing one of New Hampshire’s top high school football teams, the Bulldogs come up short in a one-score loss at home.

Oct. 31 – at South Portland (Maine) Red Riots – W
Things don’t get spooky after the second loss of the season as Portland puts a bow on the season with a 39-13 rout of their crosstown rivals.