TA blanks Portland, returns to Class A pinnacle

PORTLAND—In the end, the Thornton Academy Golden Trojans just wouldn't be denied.

And while the reigning champion Portland Bulldogs gave them all they handle in the Class A state final Saturday morning/afternoon at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the Golden Trojans came up big on the defensive end early in the game, then rode their "closer," senior running back extraordinaire Connor Ayoob, down the stretch and the end result was simply golden.