The colors come out on Maine high school state championship football day. Jackets worn by football players from the present to the past were visible even after a cursory look around the crowd during the Class A final between Windham and Thornton Academy.

Lewiston was represented, as were Westbrook, Deering, Lisbon and Leavitt. And of course there were more than a few Thornton Academy jackets. Championship jackets, no less.

“I left mine home,” said Craig Thibeau, a captain on the 1986 Thornton Academy championship team. He was honest when he stated the reason.

“I don’t fit into it anymore.”

Thibeau later played linebacker at the University of Maine and now lives in Connecticut. He came home for Saturday’s championship game and was with his older brother, Scott, another former Thornton player, but not on a championship team.

Scott Thibeau said he was OK riding his little brother’s glory. Even if he leaves his championship jacket at home.

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After going only 4 of 11 passing in the first half against tight coverage, Austin McCrum of Thornton Academy started to find his receivers in the second half. In a 71-yard scoring drive that gave the Golden Trojans a 28-14 lead early in the fourth quarter, McCrum completed 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards. The last one was to Corey Hart for a 15-yard score. McCrum, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior, scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 15-yard run, breaking a 14-14 tie.

ALTHOUGH IT WAS small consolation for Windham after losing its first-half lead and then the game to Thornton Academy, 35-14, next season looks promising for the Eagles, who had eight junior starters and a sophomore quarterback. Windham will no doubt miss its senior starters – Matt Roy, Zach Davis, Hunter Bowen, Tanner Laberge and kicker Josh Davis – but next year’s team will have an abundance of varsity experience. Coach Matt Perkins said he even used two freshmen in Saturday’s game.

“This program is in a good place,” he said.

Windham was playing in its second state championship game. The Eagles beat Bangor in 2009.

THERE WAS A father-son officiating combination in the Class B state championship game. Bill Leary of Fairfield and his son, Sean, of Waterville were part of the crew. The referee was Tim Fortin.

IN BEATING Maine Central Institute 41-21 for the Class D title, Oak Hill became the first repeat champion in that class since Dexter won in 1984 and 1985.

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Then again, the MPA discontinued Class D from 1987 until last year.

Oak Hill defeated Bucksport 42-37 in the 2013 state final.

IN BEATING Brunswick 44-18 for the Class B championship, Marshwood won the 17th state title in school history.

The Hawks remain the only school to win a title in all four classes.

Marshwood has one championship in Class A, two in Class B, 13 in Class C and one in Class D.

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS were handed out at Fitzpatrick Stadium in six classes.

The recipients were:

Deering (Eastern A), Biddeford (Western A), Fryeburg Academy (Western B), Messalonskee (Eastern B), Lake Region (Western C) and Lisbon (Western D).

– Staff writers Steve Solloway, Mike Lowe and Tom Chard contributed to this report


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