The State of Football: Week 4

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

The Division I matchup between Pinkerton Academy and Salem will draw more headlines, and the rivalry game in Division II between Exeter and Winnacunnet will draw more fans, but the most competitive game played in the state this weekend may be the Division IV matchup between St. Thomas and Kearsarge.

Both teams are unbeaten (3-0) and both have their sights set on winning a state championship this season.

"It's going to be a great football game to watch," Kearsarge coach Dennis Hoffman said. "These are the ones that are really fun."

The game will feature two of the top players in the division: Kearsarge quarterback/defensive back Bobby Williams, and St. Thomas split end/defensive back Matt McLaughlin.

Williams is a run/pass threat in Kearsarge's "Spread and Dread" offense, a mix between the double wing and spread formations. Williams also returns kicks.

McLaughlin has hauled in nine passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns this season. He's caught at least one pass in 14 consecutive games.

"His QB is an excellent football player," St. Thomas coach Rod Wotton said. "He's dangerous from anywhere on the field. He does everything for them."

The Kearsarge supporting cast includes fullback Cody Williams, wingback Chris Corey and wingback D.J. Hodgdon. Corey and Hodgdon, a transfer from Franklin, each gained more than 100 yards in a 21-20 victory over Stevens earlier this season.

Hoffman said he's also been impressed by the play of his team's offensive line.

"Our kids did such a great job in the weight room (in the offseason)," he said. "We have one of the better lines we've had in years. In this offense if you have a line it's tough to stop."

Quarterback Chris Melanson and running back Zach Merrigan are the other top threats in the St. Thomas offense. Merrigan has gained a team-high 172 yards on 43 carries, and Melanson has completed 18 of 29 passes for 377 yards and five touchdowns (one interception).

Wotton enters tonight's game with a 320-65-3 record in his coaching career, which includes a 220-33-1 record at Marshwood High School in South Berwick, Maine. Wotton's teams have won 21 state championships in his 40 years as a head coach.

"We'll have to play a pretty good football game to beat them," Wotton said. "I know we'll give them a run for their money."

The Picks ...

DIVISION I
Nashua South 20
Concord 13

South is healthy. Concord isn't.

Londonderry 26
Memorial 7

It looks like the real Lancers showed up last weekend.

Manchester West 20
Nashua North 7

Yup. West is a legitimate title contender.

Salem 26
Pinkerton 20

These teams may meet again.

DIVISION II

Exeter 20
Winnacunnet 14

The Warriors haven't beaten the Blue Hawks since 2002, although Winnacunnet nearly pulled off an upset last season.

Timberlane 21
Alvirne 7

Late touchdown seals a Timberlane victory.

Bishop Guertin 27
Dover 7

BG appears to be as advertised.

Goffstown 21
Spaulding 12

Spaulding scores, Goffstown wins.

Keene 20
Merrimack 14

When BG and Exeter aren't involved, Division II games are usually close.

DIVISION III

Con-Val 21
Pembroke 7

Pembroke fails to extend winning streak.

John Stark 35
Kennett 13

John Stark has the look of a playoff team.

Souhegan 28
Kingswood 6

Sabers remain unbeaten.

Merrimack Valley 20
Portsmouth 13

Clippers are making far too many mistakes.

Plymouth 21
Milford 13

Plymouth pass defense gets a test.

DIVISION IV

Somersworth 26
Fall Mountain 0

Fall Mountain has been outscored 123-7 in its three games.

Hanover 22
Monadnock 7

It looks like five teams for four playoff spots in Division IV.

Laconia 35
Hollis-Brookline 13

Laconia has St. Thomas next week, and Kearsarge the week after.

St. Thomas 16
Kearsarge 14

Thoughts of Bobby Williams have been keeping Rod Wotton awake this week.

Stevens 32
Lebanon 6

Stevens enters this contest with a 1-2 record and was outscored by three points in the two losses. That tells you what kind of depth exists in the upper half of this division.

DIVISION V

Newport 20
Bishop Brady 14

Best matchup in Division V this weekend.

Campbell 20
Winnisquam 6

Like Spaulding, Winnisquam is looking for its first points of the season.

Epping 21
Franklin 12

Epping's Kendall Booth, who plays for the girls soccer team, made each of her five PAT kicks in a victory over Farmington last Saturday.

Gilford 42
Farmington 6

Gilford has scored 94 points in two games.

Pelham 35
Newfound 13

Have a feeling there will be plenty at stake when Gilford plays at Pelham on the regular season's final weekend.

NON LEAGUE