Thornton gets golden opportunity against Stags

SACO — To be the best, you must beat the best.

It’s an old saying, but one that is most fitting for today’s Western Maine Class A final between the Thornton Academy Golden Trojans and the Cheverus Stags.

To get to their first state championship game in 23 years, the Golden Trojans (9-1) will have to defeat the defending state champions and No. 1 seed in Cheverus (10-0).

The task is anything but easy. Cheverus has scored 386 points this season, an average of almost 39 points per game. Defensively, the Stags have been just as dominant, allowing just 61 points (six points per game).

The Stags and Trojans didn’t play against each other in the regular season, but did scrimmage each other during the preseason. Thornton head coach Kevin Kezal said he doesn’t see any difference in Cheverus between then and now.

“I thought in the preseason they were going to be one of the best teams, and they certainly have been the best team since preseason,” Kezal said. “They’re good on both sides of the ball. They execute well. Defensively, they run to the ball. They’re well coached. They’re a good football team. There’s a reason they haven’t lost a football game in two years.”

Offensively, Cheverus has used multiple weapons. Stags quarterback Cam Olson has played as well, if not better, than any quarterback in Class A, tossing 12 touchdown passes this season.

“He’s athletic, he throws a good ball, and he does a lot for them defensively,” Kezal said. “He’s a good player.”

The top offensive threat for the Stags has been running back Spencer Cooke, who has scored 16 touchdowns this season, and that is without having played the past two weeks due to a lower leg injury.

It is unknown if Cooke will play today, but the Trojans are used to this situation. Weeks ago, Thornton prepared for Scarborough under the uncertainty of whether or not its best player, running back Scott Thibeault, was going to play. If Cooke doesn’t play, there’s still talent in the backfield with running backs Brent Green and Donald Goodrich.

“I think the Goodrich kid is just as good (as Cooke),” Kezal said. “He’s dynamite, he’s really good. He returned a touchdown against Scarborough. He returned one to the 2-yard line last week, so he’s done a lot of good things for them. Cooke adds another dimension, and I think he helps them out defensively. He’s certainly a dynamite football player, but with or without him, they’re a good team.”

Thornton, the No. 2 seed, has been playing its best football in recent weeks. Offensively, the Trojans have had success running their zone-read offense, especially with running back Andrew Libby, who has been a force in multiple ways this season. But it’s the Trojans’ defense that has made the biggest turnaround, holding opponents to an average of 10 points per game in the past five weeks.

It was the defense that sealed the trip to the regional final last week against South Portland, when linebacker Connor McCrum and cornerback Kyle Forbes wrapped up Red Riots running back Joey DiBiase at the 1-yard line to win the game.

A positive for the Trojans has been the schedule this season. Thornton played three teams that made the playoffs, and two recent state champions in Windham and Bonny Eagle.

The defense will once again be counted on to lead the Trojans to a win, and Kezal said last week’s game can give the group plenty of confidence.

“I think our kids are playing with a lot of confidence,” Kezal said. “They’ve been in a lot of tight ball games, so hopefully that will help us. (Cheverus) hasn’t been in a lot of tight games. If we can stay within striking distance, we can make some plays in the end and then win it.”

Offensively, Thornton quarterback Eric Christensen said it will be imperative for Thornton to not turn the ball over.

“We’ve got to go in and pretty much play a mistake-free football game,” Christensen said. “We can’t just beat ourselves.”

The Trojans enter this game in a rare position, as an underdog. This afternoon, it will be a position Thornton will embrace.

“We’ve got nothing to lose,” Thornton co-captain Tyler Danley said. “Let’s let it all hang out there and see what happens.”

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