The State of Football: Week 3
By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
Admit it. You didn't expect Londonderry to have much trouble with Manchester West last weekend.
It's OK. You weren't alone. Even West coach Travis Cote said he was surprised. Not by the outcome, but by the final score: West 31, Londonderry 7.
"I certainly would never had anticipated a score like that against them," Cote said. "I think a lot of people were surprised at the score. They're a good team with a good coach."
Now people are saying the same thing about West, which is 2-0 (1-0 in Division I) entering Saturday's game against Pinkerton Academy (2-0). If the Blue Knights weren't on your short list of title contenders before the season started, perhaps they should be now.
West's formula for success against Londonderry was a simple one: play sound defense, and run, run and run some more. The Blue Knights ran for more than 300 yards for the second time in as many weeks.
West had four backs rush for at least 55 yards, led by Billy Clement (131 yards) and Nick Clement (92). Guard Kevin Mailloux and center Joey Nealon were among those making room up front.
West had a slim 3-0 lead at halftime, but took complete control in the second half. Londonderry's touchdown -- the first TD scored against West this season -- came 51 seconds into the fourth quarter.
"I think they were confident coming in and they smelled blood a little bit," Cote said. "They developed a killer instinct that night. There's good camaraderie on this team. They were real happy with the win, but they didn't over-celebrate, which was good."
Cote, a Milford resident who played for Milford High School (1990 was his senior season), said he's had high expectations for this team since Day 1. The West roster includes 22 seniors.
"We knew we had a good group of upperclassmen," Cote said. "We didn't have a lot of spots to fill and the guys who filled those spots had experience. The expectations were to get to the playoffs and possibly be in the state championship game."
We'll probably know how realistic those expectations are after Saturday's tussle with Pinkerton, which has won the last two Division I championships. The key to beating the Astros?
"Keeping their offense off the field," Cote said. "If we can have some long drives and chew up the clock it will give us a chance."
The Picks ...
DIVISION I
Concord 20
Memorial 6
Crimson Tide prefers in-state competition.
Salem 26
Londonderry 14
Lancers will have to tighten up that run defense.
Central 20
Nashua North 14
Pinkerton 14
West 13
Clearly the best game on the Division I menu.
DIVISION II
Winnacunnet 26
Alvirne 7
The Warriors will be at rival Exeter next weekend.
Bishop Guertin 28
Timberlane 14
The Owls may give the Cards their first test.
Merrimack 21
Dover 19
Here are two reasons why Division II isn't as deep as usual this season.
Exeter 24
Spaulding 0
The Red Raiders may have to wait another week for their first touchdown.
DIVISION III
Souhegan 27
Con-Val 20
Best game in Division III this weekend.
Portsmouth 26
John Stark 14
Portsmouth's loss to Pembroke Academy last Saturday was the most surprising score in the state.
Plymouth 35
Kennett 0
The Bobcats start 3-0. What a surprise.
Pembroke 27
Kingswood 6
Could it be back-to-back wins for the Spartans?
Milford 21
Merrimack Valley 14
Have to believe that Merrimack Valley is better than its 0-2 record would indicate.
DIVISION IV
Hollis-Brookline 21
Fall Mountain 7
Not sure if there will be a lot of points scored in this game, or hardly any at all.
Stevens 21
Hanover 13
Duford to Duford is becoming a dangerous combination.
Kearsarge 28
Monadnock 13
Already looking forward to next weekend's matchup between Kearsarge and St. Thomas.
Laconia 20
Somersworth 6
The Sachems have more talent, but the Toppers may put up a fight at home.
St. Thomas 30
Lebanon 12
St. Thomas split end Matt McLaughlin has caught at least one pass in 13 consecutive games.
DIVISION V
Bishop Brady 35
Winnisquam 6
The Green Giants will play five of their first six games on the road.
Bow 22
Newfound 8
As Newfound knows, it's tough to win when you're on the road every week.
Campbell 14
Newport 13
Toughest game to pick this weekend.
Epping 20
Farmington 8
It's been a long time since the Blue Devils were over .500.
Pelham 34
Franklin 8
When you talk about teams that could win the Division V championship, you have to include Pelham in the conversation.
NON LEAGUE
Nashua South 19
Lowell 18
Panthers pull off a minor upset.
Goffstown 20
Trinity 12
The Pioneers can't win every week.
Brattleboro 19
Keene 14
Unlike this year's Shrine Game, Vermont will beat New Hampshire in this matchup.
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Last week: 20-5
Record to date: 41-9
The State of Football, a commentary on New Hampshire high school football, will appear each Friday throughout the season.
