By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

It's a familiar question, and one that's being asked again this season: Can anyone beat Plymouth?

The Bobcats made it eight championships in 10 years by beating Portsmouth, 35-20, in the Division III title game last year. Plymouth enters the season with a 22-game winning streak and Chuck Lenahan has a 287-63-1 record as the program's head coach.

The Bobcats have won 14 state championships since NHIAA football began using a playoff format in 1972.

Plymouth lost nine starters on each side of the ball, but running back Shawn Sweeney, a First Team All-State selection last season, is among the returning starters. Sweeny rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown in last year's championship game.

"We'll just have to see if anyone can stay with Plymouth," Portsmouth coach Bill Murphy said. "I'm sure they'll be right up there again."

Portsmouth, which returns 6-foot-1, 240-pound fullback/defensive lineman Reed Spiller, is among the teams that should be in the playoff hunt this season. Spiller has drawn interest from some Ivy League schools.

Milford, which returns quarterback Jeff Agnew, Souhegan and Merrimack Valley are also teams that have their sights set on postseason play.

High School previews: Division III.