(NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Maine's high school football regional champions battled for the state titles in Portland and Orono Saturday.
In Portland, Thornton Academy got out to a 21-nothing lead over Portland in the first. Despite two 60-plus yard runs by the Bulldogs' Zack Elowitch, the Trojans rolled to a 49-14 win behind four touchdowns from senior Anthony Bracamonte.
T.A. won its third Gold Ball in five years. The Trojans never trailed for a single second in the regular season or in the playoffs.
"We've worked so hard since freshman year to get here so to our seniors this is everything. We've been working for this since 8h grade together so this is the best way to go out," said Bracamonte.
In Class C, the Nokomis Warriors looked for their first Gold Ball against Fryeburg Academy.
Fryeburg took a 12-7 lead going into halftime thanks to a quarterback keeper by Oscar Saunders.
Late in the game, off a Raiders' punt, Nokomis' Tyler Pelletier broke away for a 68-yard return touchdown. The score secured the Warriors' 13-12 lead, the win, and their first Gold Ball.
In Class B, Brunswick and Marshwood squared off. Marshwood rolled to a 49-0 win.
"It's something else. You don't get to get this feeling very often," said senior captain Adam Doyon. "Winning it last year is a totally different feeling than winning it as a senior. all the hard work we put in -- it pays off for this."
"We never argue. We're a great team. We're a family, actually," said senior quarterback Tommy Springer. "We've all worked so hard together and all of our hard work has paid off for us."
In Class D, Wells and powerhouse Tyler Bridge beat Foxcroft Academy 55-20. Bridge accounted for six of the team's eight touchdowns, including a 42-yard pass to Payton McKay.
"It feels amazing -- three in a row -- no better feeling. We all put in the work," said Bridge. "It's great that we are all in it. We earn everything we got."