PORTLAND — The Thornton Academy Golden Trojans (3- 0) downed the Deering Rams (2- 1) by a score of 42- 20 at Memorial Field Friday night. The Golden Trojans, coming off a 57- 0 win at home over Cheverus, had a 113- 0 shutout streak snapped by the Rams but pulled away for the emphatic win. First quarter action was marked by aggressive defensive play from both teams. The Golden Trojans struck first on 1st- and- 31 on the 50- yard line, following a TA chop block penalty. Thornton senior quarterback Austin McCrum fired a pass to fellow senior, wide out Corey Hart, who raced down the sideline for the 50- yard score. Junior kicker Cameron Cadorette tacked on the extra point making the score 7- 0 with 52 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Deering senior quarterback Max Chabot answered with a score on an 8- yard keeper on 2nd- and- goal with 8: 35 left in the second quarter. The Golden Trojans blocked the extra- point attempt by Deering’s Jesus Molina- Mendez to maintain the lead at 7- 6. Thornton Academy’s senior running back Greg Rufffound the end zone with 8: 08 remaining in the second quarter on a 14- yard rush. The extra point was good by Cadorette, giving the Golden Trojans a 14- 6 lead. Deering running back Robby Dacey followed with a 6- yard touchdown run, with the extra point added by Molina- Mendez with 7: 16 remaining in the second quarter to narrow the deficit to 14- 13. The domineering Golden Trojan offense scored again as McCrum hooked up with Hart for a 55- yard touchdown with 5: 21 left in the first half. Cadorette nailed the extra point to push the halftime lead to 21- 13. Corey Hart scored his third touchdown of the night on an 11- yard pass from McCrum with 2: 09 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown was set up by Ben Lambert, the Thornton Academy senior defensive back, who intercepted a pass by Deering’s Chabot intended for receiver Pat Viola. On the ensuing kickoff, Deering fumbled and the Golden Trojans were able to recover on the Rams 26- yard line. The Golden Trojans started the final quarter with a 2nd- and- 6 situation on the Deering 6- yard line. Lambert caught a 5- yard pass from McCrum, which set up Rufffor a 1- yard touchdown run with 11: 41 remaining in the fourth quarter. Cadorette hit the extra point to extend the Golden Trojan lead to 35- 13. The Golden Trojans continued their suffocating defense when Michael Laverriere scooped up a fumble by Deering’s Nate Richards. For the fourth time on the night, McCrum found Hart for a touchdown pass, this time from 50 yards with 10: 17 remaining in the game. Cadorette added the extra point to pull the Golden Trojans ahead 42- 13. Following the score, both teams utilized their benches for the remainder of the game. Following a fumble recovery by Deering’s Machar Nyguany, the Rams capitalized on a 3- yard touchdown run by sophomore Casey Anthony. Molina- Mendez’s extra point was good, finalizing the score at 42- 20. McCrum finished the night completing 6- of- 9 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns. Hart finished the night with five receptions for 201 yards and four touchdowns. Thornton Academy coach Kevin Kezal said of the challenge put up by the Rams, that his team was “long- faced in the first half.” The Trojans were a different team in the second half. “I’m proud of the way our kids played in the second half,” said Kezal. The Golden Trojans take the field next Friday night in Windham to face the Eagles in a rematch of last year’s class A state championship, in which the Golden Trojans triumphed 35- 14.