The Noble (North Berwick, ME) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) on Friday, November 15.

What: Maine High School Football
Who: Noble (ME) vs Thornton Academy (ME)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: Today
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Thornton Academy and Noble: A Clash of Football Titans in Maine’s High School Football Landscape

In Maine high school football, two teams stand out this season: Thornton Academy and Noble, both showcasing impressive performances on their way to the postseason. As the two teams prepare for an upcoming playoff game on November 15, their paths have been a testament to hard work, strategy, and determination. Let’s take a closer look at their remarkable seasons and the matchup ahead.

Thornton Academy: A Dominant Force

Thornton Academy (located in Saco, ME) has had an outstanding season with a 10-2 overall record, maintaining an undefeated region record of 5-0. Their overall win percentage stands at a commendable .833, and they’ve scored an impressive 465 points, averaging 38.8 points per game. The team’s strength lies in a balanced offense and defense, dominating opponents on both sides of the ball.

Key players for Thornton Academy include:

• Tommy Gagnon, their lead rusher, who averages 101.3 yards per game.
• Jamier Rose, their quarterback, with 138.1 passing yards per game and a total of 219.3 yards per game.
• Hayden Davis, a top receiver with 57.3 receiving yards per game.
• Kaden Dustin, a defensive standout with 8.2 tackles per game.

Thornton Academy’s victories this season include dominant wins over common opponents such as Windham, Bonny Eagle, and South Portland. Their defense, allowing just 148 points this season, has been a key factor in their success. The team has also shown versatility, excelling both at home and on the road with an undefeated 5-0 away record.

Noble: A Rising Contender

Noble, hailing from North Berwick, ME, has also impressed this season with an 8-2 record, including a 3-2 region record. While they may not have the same level of dominance as Thornton Academy, their .800 win percentage and solid defense, allowing just 125 points, place them among the top teams in the region.

Noble’s leaders include:

• Tommy Gagnon (same name as Thornton Academy’s star), who contributes an impressive 20.3 rushing yards per game.
• Jamier Rose (again, a shared name with Thornton Academy’s leader), who leads with 51.6 passing yards per game.
• Connor Boucher, who averages 0.6 sacks per game.

Noble’s victories have come against strong opponents, including Windham, South Portland, and Sanford, with notable wins such as their 41-0 thrashing of Sanford. However, they faced setbacks in their games against Bonny Eagle (losing 21-14) and Scarborough (38-0). Still, their consistent performance on both sides of the ball, especially in away games (where they are undefeated at 5-0), has helped them secure a solid playoff spot.

Head-to-Head: Thornton Academy Holds the Edge

The teams met earlier in the season on October 4, when Thornton Academy won a hard-fought battle 33-26 on the road. The game was competitive throughout, with Thornton Academy pulling away in the second half after a tight first quarter. The final scoreline reflected their consistent scoring ability, led by Tommy Gagnon and Jamier Rose, both of whom have had standout seasons.

The head-to-head record between these two teams stands at 1-0 in favor of Thornton Academy, but with both teams entering the playoff matchup with momentum, the game promises to be a thrilling rematch.

Looking Ahead: The Playoff Showdown

With their respective records and performances, both Thornton Academy and Noble have proven themselves worthy of the postseason spotlight. As Thornton Academy heads into the game with a solid record and an undefeated 5-0 regional mark, Noble will look to improve on their strong regular-season performance and make their playoff push. The November 15 game promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams bringing high levels of intensity and skill to the field.

Thornton Academy’s offense, averaging 38.8 points per game, will be challenged by Noble’s defense, which has allowed only 125 points throughout the season. With the stakes higher than ever, both teams will need to play at their best to secure victory.

As the season winds down, all eyes are on this critical playoff matchup between two of Maine’s finest high school football programs. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Thornton Academy vs. Noble game is shaping up to be an unforgettable showdown in Maine high school football history.