Portland quarterback Cordell Jones carries the ball on a long run during the Class A state final against Thornton Academy on Nov. 22. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)

Too bad the decathlon is not part of Maine high school track and field. It would have been fun to see Portland High’s Cordell Jones in the 10-event discipline.

“I’m very confident he would have been the best decathlete in the state of Maine,” said Portland track coach Frank Myatt.

As it is, we’ll have to content ourselves knowing the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Jones showed area sports fans a wide variety of athletic skills at Portland High and is about to embark on a football career at the University of Maine.

As a senior, Jones led Portland to state runner-up finishes in football and track and field and an unexpected basketball championship.

That’s why Jones is the 2025-26 Varsity Maine Male Athlete of the Year.

“I’m very happy with what I was able to accomplish and what I was able to get for the guys and to be a very successful program. In all my sports, really,” said Jones.

“You’ve got to put in the discipline and the work and be open to playing multiple sports and being good at playing all the different sports. And in the big moments, it’s very important to just go out there and play and to have fun. After all, it’s just a game at the end of the day.”

In football, Jones was asked to do everything and produced. He rushed for 1,436 yards and 24 touchdowns. A year after being the top wide receiver in the state as a junior and winning the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year Award, Jones switched to quarterback and completed 77 of 144 passes for 892 yards. He made 93 tackles and improved Portland’s defense when he became the middle linebacker after 2 1/2 seasons at free safety. Portland won Class A North and then lost to Thornton Academy, 28-0, in the state final.

In the third game of the season, Jones broke Portland High records for career touchdowns (48) and points (308) set by Ed Bogdanovich in 1976. By season’s end, Jones had pushed the records to 67 touchdowns and 406 points.

Jones was a Varsity Maine All-State pick for a second straight year and a Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist.

In outdoor track, Jones finished second in the state in the high jump. His personal best was 6 feet, 6 inches. He dabbled in long jump and finished fifth at the SMAA championship. Myatt needed someone to fill out the 1,600 relay team at the New England championships, and Jones ran Portland’s second-fastest split as the team finished sixth.

Portland’s Cordell Jones clears the bar in the high jump at the SMAA track and field championships on May 29 in Windham. Jones won with a best jump of 6-2. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)<?xml version="1.0"?> Purchase this image

Jones had never competed in the javelin until his senior season. He won the Class A championship at 162 feet.

“He was bound and determined to score as many points as he could for us in the state meet,” Myatt said.

The basketball season also showed his ability to adapt and improve to benefit the team.

Because of a shoulder injury suffered in the annual Thanksgiving Day exhibition football game against Deering, Jones missed the first eight regular-season basketball games. In the 10 games he played, he averaged an unspectacular 6.9 points and 5.9 rebounds.

Portland’s Cordell Jones drives to the basket during the Bulldogs’ 48-30 win over Cheverus in the Class A South final on Feb. 21 at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer)<?xml version="1.0"?> Purchase this image

But come playoff time, he was Portland’s X-factor. At the time of year when most players’ scoring averages drop, his rose to 12.5 points per game with 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 41.7% 3-point shooting.

His defense was superior. In a regional quarterfinal 34-33 slugfest win against South Portland Jones held 6-foot-5 Varsity Maine All-Stater Darius Johnson to five points.

After being named the Class A South tournament’s most outstanding player, Jones scored a team-high 20 points as Portland beat Camden Hills 76-60 in the state final.

“He was one of the most athletic athletes I have ever coached at Portland High School in 36 years,” said Portland basketball coach Joe Russo. “He was also one of the most versatile. He could handle the ball. He could play underneath, could play every position on the floor.”

In the championship game, Jones the basketball player looked a bit like Jones the football player, doing a lot of everything and doing it well. He made 8 of 10 shots, with three 3-pointers, three steals and three assists. Jones capped the night with an accurate self-assessment of his performance.

“I felt like I had to take over this game for us to win. Everyone knows me as a football player. But I know I’m the best athlete in the state, and I know I can get it done at any point,” Jones said.

Russo says one of Jones’ best attributes as a senior was his ability to positively influence and encourage young players. Jones would often quietly let Russo know when a teammate needed encouragement or a helping hand.

“I watched him grow that way. He didn’t make it just about him. He never did that. That’s what made me stand by him so much,” Russo said.

Russo added, “He loves to fish. I think I would enjoy going fishing with him some day. He’s just a neat kid.”