Prediction: Thornton Academy (Maine) returns to the top

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 look at Thornton Academy, one of Maine’s winningest football programs. The Trojans are still stinging from last year when they fell in the MPA Class A state championship game against Portland. Thornton Academy’s goal every season is to win a state crown. Can the Trojans get back to the top after a arduous 2025 schedule?

Player Spotlight: RB Mauricio Sunderland

When it comes to running backs out of the New England region, Mauricio Sunderland is among one of the top 15 tailbacks around. The bruising running back helped lead the way for the Trojans back to the MPA Class A state championship game before being upended by Portland. With quarterback Wyatt Benoit having graduated, a lot more of the offense will run through Sunderland this fall as Thornton Academy looks to return to the state title game.

Others to watch: OL Blain Sicard, LB Brennan Tabor, LB Dominic Hussey

Season Prediction: 8-1

We don’t try to read too deeply into this as the Trojans are motivated and fueled by their own history of winning state championships. Thornton Academy has reached six-straight Class A state title games and have a good chance of reaching a seventh with the roster they return from last season. Games against Bedford (N.H.) and Portland during the regular season will certainly be telling. What we predict is they’ll be back at states (surprise) and they will come away with the trophy this time.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Sept. 5 – at Scarborough (Maine) Red Storm – W
Thornton Academy begins its march back to states with a convincing 44-7 rout of the Red Storm.

Sept. 12 – Bangor (Maine) Rams – W
Now Bangor can give Thornton Academy fits in years past, but not in Week 2 as the Trojans to win No. 2.

Sept. 19 – at Bedford (N.H.) Bulldogs – L
Same time of the season last year these two teams meet and the result stays the same as the Trojans fall to the Bulldogs.

Sept. 27 – South Portland (Maine) Red Riots – W
After losing their first game of the season, the Trojans take all their frustrations out on the Red Riots back at home.

Oct. 3 – Portland (Maine) Bulldogs – W
There’s not many games like this one during the regular season. Honestly, this might be Game of the Year as the Trojans narrowly edge the Bulldogs, 28-22.

Oct. 10 – at Massabesic (Maine) Mustangs – W
The Trojans make quick work of the Mustangs on the road.

Oct. 18 – Sanford (Maine) Spartans – W
Thornton Academy isn’t letting off the gas pedal as they cruise to a 42-6 win here.

Oct. 24 – at Bonny Eagle (Maine) Scots – W
Playing another of the state’s better ball clubs, Thornton Academy puts on a show in a 36-16 victory.

Oct. 31 – Noble (Maine) Knights – W
The Trojans close out the regular season with a signature blowout of Noble heading into the MPA playoffs.