Football season is here in Vacationland so without further ado, here is our preseason Top 25 poll for Maine.

1. Portland: New coach Nick Cliche was on the staff last season and knows what it takes to win. He hopes to lead the Bulldogs to back to back Class A titles. Having Cordell Jones back helps.

2. Thornton Academy: The Trojans will always be in the mix in Class A as always. Mauricio Sunderlund is back and the do it all playmaker helps allow this machine of a program to keep running.

3. Bonny Eagle: The Scots are coming off of a 7-3 season but do return quarterback Colin Moran and wide receiver Ben Augustino. Don’t ever sleep on them as a contender in Class A.

4. Falmouth: The Navigators had a magical season that was capped off by a Class B state title. Quarterback Tres Walker and a talented group of seniors return looking to repeat.

5. Leavitt: After a rebuilding year, Mike Hathaway’s Hornets are chomping at the bit to get back into state title contention. Junior quarterback Cooper Morin leads a young but talented squad.

6. Fryeburg: After winning it in Class C, Fryeburg is now in Class B. It should be a much more challenging road for the Raiders but they do return a good group.

7. Wells: The Warriors return a lot of talent from their Class D state title team. A repeat is more than possible.

8. Kennebunk: The Rams return a lot of talent from last season’s 9-2 team that lost to Falmouth in the Class B state title game. The two teams open the season against each other.

9. Foxcroft Academy: The Ponies will look to bounce back after losing the Class D state title game to Wells. They return a good group primed to make another state title run.

10. South Portland: The Red Riots return a talented group of underclassman led by wide receiver Darius Johnson and lineman Tristen Sanders. They are a legitimate title contender in Class A.

11. Lawrence: After losing the Class B state title game last season, the Bulldogs are looking to bounce back and contend again.

12. Cony: Junior quarterback Parker Morin is back to lead a Rams team ready to make some noise in Class B.

13. Cape Elizabeth: The Capers return a good group of underclassmen led by quarterback Callum Mitchell and athlete River Duffy. They should be a favorite in 8 Man Large.

14. Chevrus: The passing of the legendary John Wolfgram recently could serve as motivation for a Stags team that has some good young talent.

15. Lewiston: The Blue Devils have a good young core returning and could surprise.

16. Marshwood: Alex Rotsko returns a good collection young looking to build on a 5-5 season in 2024.

17. Noble: After a 7–3 season, the Knights are looking to make the playoffs again but they’ll have to do it with a lot of new faces.

18. Massabesic: The Mustangs have some good young talent on the way in their sophomore and freshmen classes. They should make some noise this season.

19. Herman: The Hawks have to replace a lot of key contributors from a good team last season. A team looking to get back to the Class C state title game.

20. Medomak Valley: The Panthers return many of the key pieces that allowed them to finish 7-3 last season and make a playoff run. Logan Vigue is one of the top defensive players in the state.

21. Oceanside: Replacing quarterback Zeb Foster will be tough but the Mariners coaching staff likes what they have coming back.

22. Deering: With a talented skill group returning, the Rams could be a factor in Class B. You could make the case, they should be ranked higher but we they have a couple of question marks.

23. Oxford Hills/ Buckfield: Returning quarterback Dylan Truman offsets the losses of key seniors but the Vikings have a lot to replace after going 4-5 last season.

24. Messalonskee: Tatum Doucette might just be the best dual threat quarterback in the state. He gives the Eagles a shot week in and week out.

25. Bangor: The Rams play a tough schedule and with some key contributors returning, they should contend.