NEWS CENTER- When high school football started in Maine back in 1950, Thornton Academy was one of two programs to three state titles in the first 13 seasons. Since then they've only won two over the last five decades with the most recent championship was back in 1988.

Kevin Kezal's Trojans have been in the mix for the past few years, only to fall just short. The 13th year head coach is hopeful that those setbacks have given his players an even bigger drive, which would give one of the deepest and most experienced teams in the state yet another advantage.

Kezal said, "We've got a veteran group back. We've got a lot of our skill kids that are back at key skill positions. We've been able to get our installation done. Our younger kids, they've been successful at the younger levels. They've shown a lot for us too."  

He went on to talk about the specific playmakers responsible for leading the Trojan attack. 

"Eric Christiansen has been a two-year starter for us at quarterback. Nick Kenney runs the ball very well for us at fullback. Dakota Tarbox is a great receiver," he said.

The Trojans open their season at home against Deering on Saturday September 1st.