SACO — A defense-dominated football game between Portland and Thornton Academy was begging for one big play.

A former Thornton player made it. For Portland.

With 2:30 left in a tense game, Portland tight end Carter Lucca got behind the defense and hauled in a deep pass from Louis Thurston, who had escaped pressure and found time and space to his right. Lucca made the catch and shook free of a final tackle attempt to finish a 60-yard touchdown that proved the difference Saturday in a 14-7 Portland victory.

Lucca had broken off a hitch route when he saw his defender come up while Thurston avoided a sack. Once Lucca caught the ball he said, “I saw the pylon 15, 20 yards away and I knew there was no choice but to get into the end zone at that point.”

Portland, which has a stranglehold on the top spot in Class A North, improved to 6-1 and avenged last season’s loss to Thornton in the state final. The Bulldogs held Thornton to 142 yards, including just 7 yards and one first down in the second half.

Thurston led Portland’s offense with a game-high 81 rushing yards and made several key plays to keep drives alive. The Bulldogs had a 13-6 edge in first downs.

“Two good teams, it’s not going to be easy to drive the ball,” Thurston said. “A lot of times, these games come down to big plays, and we just got one.”

Coming off three straight wins against other playoff contenders in Class A South, Thornton slipped to 5-2, its other loss coming to New Hampshire heavyweight Bedford. The Trojans entered the game as the unanimous No. 1 team in Varsity Maine top 10, while Portland was No. 2.

Thornton’s defense was almost as stout as Portland’s, holding the Bulldogs to a modest 265 yards and shutting down top running backs Aidan McGowan (7 carries, 10 yards) and Cordell Jones (11 carries, 25 yards). But Thornton’s offense committed three turnovers. Quarterback Wyatt Benoit fumbled twice, including one that ended Thornton’s first drive of the game at the Portland 2. His second fumble came on the first play from scrimmage after Lucca’s go-ahead touchdown.

Portland cornerback Charlie Abramson-Thompson came up with a diving, one-handed interception in the second quarter, setting up Thurston’s 9-yard touchdown run that tied the game.

Benoit (17 carries, 33 yards; 6 of 9 passing for 56 yards) had given Thornton a 7-0 lead with a 13-yard run early in the second quarter.

“You’ve got to win the turnover battle. We didn’t do that,” said Thornton Coach Kevin Kezal. “Explosive plays. You’ve got to create them on offense and prevent them on defense. We lost that battle. Proud of our kids. We played hard. It’s been a grind. Five of our last six weeks, we’ve played tough football teams, and I’m proud of the effort. Credit to (Portland). They’re a good football team.”

And the Bulldogs benefit from having Lucca, a rugged 6-foot-1, 220-pound two-way starter. He started at H-back/tight end for Thornton as a sophomore but had his junior season cut short by an injury in the third game.

“Carter was a great player for us. He got hurt early last year and missed the season,” Kezal said. “If someone’s going to beat us on a team, that’s the kid I want. I love him to death. Hey, if someone’s going to beat us, I’m glad it’s Carter.”

Lucca moved to Portland in January of his junior year and quickly jelled with his new team.

“He’s a great guy. He does everything right on and off the field. He’s honestly an inspiration to me,” Thurston said.

Portland Coach Sean Green said Lucca is, “just everything you’d ever want in a football player. Tremendous leader. Great with the young guys. Didn’t miss a lift all offseason and trains like a maniac on his own. Really, just a coach’s dream.”