SCARBOROUGH – The scouting report on Thornton Academy was that its young players would improve as the season progressed. If the players get much better, this might be a banner year for the football program.

Thornton put together its second impressive victory in as many games, defeating Scarborough 33-7 Friday night at the Mitchell Sports Complex. The Trojans rushed for 331 yards, with senior quarterback Josh Woodward getting 146 and two touchdowns.

But it was a defensive stand at the end of the first half and a stunning kick return to start the third quarter that helped the Trojans improve to 2-0.

Leading 7-0, the Trojans stopped Scarborough (1-1) on fourth down from the 5 with 20 seconds left in the first half. Then senior Corbett Smith returned the third-quarter kickoff 76 yards to jump-start a second-half surge.

“We had a lot of momentum ending the first half,” said senior running back and linebacker Dimitri Skinsacos. “And then the kick return definitely got us all fired up again.

“We watched the Massabesic game (against Scarborough) last week and we knew they could come back, so we knew we had to be on our best terms.”

And they were in the second half. Woodward, who threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to James Ek in the second quarter, gained 126 on the ground in the final two quarters, getting touchdowns on runs of 11 and 64 yards. Skinsacos (63 yards rushing, 25 receiving) and Adam Lamontagne (54 yards rushing) also scored in the second half.

“It’s an inexperienced young group, but they’ve done everything we’ve asked,” said Trojans Coach Kevin Kezal. “And we’ve had excellent senior leadership.”

Twice the Red Storm had the ball inside the Thornton 10 in the first half but couldn’t score. The first time, Scarborough fumbled on a busted play, with Thornton’s Dakota Tarbox recovering.

Scarborough got the ball back with 1:39 left at the Trojans’ 25 after Kyle Kelley recovered a fumble. Six plays later, it was fourth-and-1 at the Thornton 5. Scarborough’s Matt Brown tried to sweep left but was stopped for a 7-yard loss.

“That really hurt,” said Red Storm Coach Lance Johnson. “We battled back but we made too many mistakes to beat a quality team like Thornton Academy.”

Smith took the third-quarter kickoff and got things going.

“We set up a nice return and I saw the seam and just (sped) through it,” said Smith. “I got some great blocks. I couldn’t ask for a more open hole.”

That set up the Trojans at the Scarborough 17. Four plays later, Skinsacos went in from the 1 and it was 13-0. After a short Scarborough punt, Woodward capped a drive with an 11-yard run. Skinsacos’ 2-point rush made it 21-0.

The Red Storm got a 77-yard kickoff return from Dennis Liu to set up their touchdown, a 3-yard pass from Jack Adams to Mike Cyr. But an interception by Thornton’s John Remmes at the Trojans’ 5 stopped the next drive and led to Woodward’s 64-yard score that sealed the victory.

“Scarborough’s one of the top teams in (the York County division),” said Smith. “This just shows we’re ready to go this year.”

 

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at: mlowe@pressherald.com