SACO — Just like Biddeford, the Thornton Academy football team now doesn’t have to worry about any other opponent.

The Golden Trojans will now focus all attention on the Tigers after beating Massabesic 41-19 on Saturday at Hill Stadium.

The last stop on the road to the 101st Battle of the Bridge game was not easy, however. Playing without running back Dimitri Skinsacos, as well as offensive linemen Fred Randall and Cody MacCabe – all key Trojan players –  the Mustangs tallied 289 offensive yards, and had a 13-6 lead on the Trojans in the first quarter before Thornton scored 35 unanswered points while racking up an offensive total of 386 yards.

Thornton head coach Kevin Kezal has been impressed with the depth of the Trojans roster.

“This is one of the deepest teams we’ve had,” head coach Kevin Kezal said. “The seniors have given us great leadership this year. Hopefully we keep working hard and get better every week.”

The Mustangs(0-7), who went to the air more than usual with their triple-option offense, popped the first blow near the end of the first quarter, when quarterback Jake Desroschers hit slotback Travis Mansfield on a seam route down the middle of the field for a 42-yard touchdown pass, giving Massabesic a 7-0 lead.

Desrochers, a sophomore, was 8-13 passing for 140 yards on the afternoon, connecting mostly with wide receiver Brandon Coulombe, who had six catches for 87 yards.

“We knew they were going to play hard,” Kezal said. “They’re well coached, they’re going to have a game plan for you. We turned the ball over and they capitalized on that. John [Morin] had them playing hard today, and they gave us a tough go of it.”

Thornton answered back on the next possession, when wide receiver Corbett Smith took the handoff on a jet sweep to the left for a 16-yard touchdown run. The Mustangs shut down the two-point conversion attempt, keeping the score at 7-6. It was a play that would be used often and with success for Smith, who led all Thornton runners with 141 yards on the ground on only nine carries.

The Mustangs finished off the quarter with a 10 play, 62-yard drive down the field, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown plunge by fullback Casey Nava, giving Massabesic a 13-6 lead.

From that point forward, it was all Thornton Academy. The Trojans scored 21 points in the second quarter, thanks touchdown runs by running backs Peter Remmes (3-yard run) and Adam Lamontagne (1-yard run), and was capped off by a 43-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Woodward to wide receiver James Ek on a seam route, giving the Trojans a 27-13 lead heading to the locker rooms at halftime.

Smith said the team was able to make adjustments and get back on track for the second half.

“It was a team we hadn’t seen yet,” Smith said. “We have to adjust, and once we get our stuff right, we go for it.”

Woodward and Ek would hook up again to start the second half – this time on a 42-yard pass down the middle of the field – to bring the score to 34-13. Andrew Libby finished off the scoring for Thornton late in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run to make the score 41-13.

The Mustangs would score one more time, on a 4-yard run by Nava, to make the score 41-13. Nava led the Mustangs on the ground with 120 yards on 30 carries.

The Battle of the Bridge game is scheduled for Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford, the first time in the history of the rivalry that the game has been played at night.

“It’s a big game,” Smith said. “We’re all wicked excited, but we need to stay focused and stay in control.”

Massabesic will host a rivalry game of their own at Ronco Field in Waterboro on Oct. 22, when the Mustangs take on Sanford.

— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535 ext. 318.