The two best high school football teams in Maine go head-to-head this week with identical 7-0 records.

That’s right, it’s time for the annual regular-season showdown that so often gives fans a preview of the Class A South final.

Thornton Academy hosts Bonny Eagle at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hill Stadium in Saco. Both teams have been dominant. Both have star players producing at high levels.

The big question is: Can Bonny Eagle get its first win against Thornton since the Class A championship game in 2019? Thornton has won six straight in the series, including twice last season when the Connor Ayoob-powered Golden Trojans won the regular-season game in Standish and then the regional final in Saco, wearing down the Scots in the second half in both games.

Thornton’s unparalleled depth is again an advantage, but this year’s Bonny Eagle team seems to be built just a bit differently. Also, first-year starting quarterback Lucas Klehn is playing at such a high level that he has emerged as the front-runner for player of the year honors.

Playing behind a big offensive line, Klehn has rushed for 870 yards and 23 touchdowns on 110 carries while completing 68% of his passes (46 of 67, 789 yards), with seven TD passes and zero interceptions. He has real playmakers to help him out in running backs Ben Noe (58 carries, 466 yards) and Ben Havu (31 carries, 291 yards) and receiver Drew Gervais (25 receptions, 428 yards, 3 TDs). Havu is Bonny Eagle’s top tackler, and Klehn is a hard hitter from the secondary.

For Thornton, the big change this season is a dynamic passing game. Second-year starter Noah Fullerton isn’t throwing a lot, but he’s completing 70% of his attempts (42 of 60, 772 yards), with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions. Logan LeBlanc (18 receptions, 454 yards) is the big-play target, with nine touchdown catches. In recent weeks, Brennan Tabor (69 carries, 634 yards, 13 TDs) has emerged as the top rusher, with help from Josiah Blain (57 carries, 371 yards). Tabor and Blain are the defensive leaders at inside linebacker, with 42 and 43 solo tackles, respectively.

That question was posed to Hornets coach Mike Hathaway when he was watching host Greely (6-1) beat Hermon (6-1) last week. Those are the two teams closest to Leavitt (7-0) in the Class C standings. Leavitt has beaten Greely and is at Hermon on Friday.

Hathaway said his squad isn’t at the level of the historic 2023 team that went 11-0 and beat Class A contender Oxford Hills, eventual Class A champion Thornton (on the road), and Class B runner-up Lawrence.

But he did put this year’s squad in the very good category, citing the high number of returners and a very deep and talented skill group as key strengths. The defense has also been quite good, allowing only 39 points.

Class A and Class C teams have one more game after this week before the playoffs. For the rest of Maine’s teams, this weekend will determine playoff seeding.

Biddeford is trying to follow up on the season’s biggest upset to date, a 37-14 win at previously unbeaten Marshwood in which the Tigers recovered from a 14-0 deficit.

Biddeford (5-2) can secure a bye to the regional semifinals if it beats Cheverus (2-5) on Friday at Waterhouse Field. That result would also end the Stags’ season.

“Our team is maturing, and as they’re maturing, they’re understanding the game better and getting better,” said Steve Allosso, now in his fifth season as Biddeford’s head coach.

Estevao Lembissa, a junior slot back who lines up all over the field, has emerged as a big-time playmaker. He had a 71-yard touchdown reception and a 49-yard rushing TD in the second half against Marshwood.

“He’s fast. He’s quick. He’s tough. And he has super character,” Allosso said. “One of the best I’ve ever coached, and this team is overflowing with character.”

Quarterback Ernest Dore and left guard Caiden Howe are top seniors. Juniors Stanley Richerson (RB/DE) and Alex Gosselin (WR/OLB) give the offense added options. Junior linebacker Marcus Perkins is becoming a force.

Despite their record, the much-improved Tigers have struggled to put together consecutive strong efforts, something Allosso said is a point of emphasis this week. The Marshwood win followed a 37-6 loss at Skowhegan.

Kennebunk vs. Marshwood is Class B South’s version of Bonny Eagle-Thornton. Both teams are 6-1 and tied for first place in the Crabtree standings. The winner gets the No. 1 playoff seed. The loser would slip to No. 3 and miss out on a first-round bye if Biddeford wins.

Marshwood is dinged up. Fullback Greg Castoras was hurt late in the Biddeford game and is “day-to-day,” said Marshwood coach Andrew Elwell. The Hawks have been without their top halfback, Noah Goodwin, for the past two games. Goodwin is questionable for Friday’s game.