Former University of New Hampshire wide receiver David Ball did not play for the New York Jets in their 13-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

The Jets signed Ball to a one-year contract on Saturday. He was one of six Jets listed as inactive for Sunday's contest.

Ball, who was born in Berlin, Vt., broke Jerry Rice's collegiate record for career touchdown receptions, but wasn't selected in the 2007 NFL Draft. He began the season as a free agent with the Chicago Bears.

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

What was on Chip Kelly's Christmas wish list? Perhaps one more game with University of New Hampshire quarterback Ricky Santos directing his offense.

Yeah, it's asking for too much, but in a recent phone interview Kelly made it clear he'd like to see Santos suit up in University of Oregon colors for Monday's Sun Bowl. Especially since the Ducks will have to dig deep into their depth chart to find a starting quarterback for that contest.

"He's done at New Hampshire, maybe we could let him play in the bowl game," Kelly said. "Ricky could play anywhere. He's as good as anybody we've faced this year, whether it's the Michigan quarterback or anybody in the Pac-10. Ricky could play at any of those places."

New Hampshire Football Report spoke with Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly on Thursday night. Kelly, who spent eight seasons as the University of New Hampshire's offensive coordinator, talked about his first season at Oregon, what he thinks UNH quarterback Ricky Santos will be doing at this time next year, and Oregon's matchup with South Florida in Monday's Sun Bowl.

Oregon, which rose to No. 2 in the national rankings before quarterback Dennis Dixon suffered a season-ending knee injury, and South Florida will meet in a game that can be seen on CBS (2 p.m.).

Check back Saturday to read the full story on Kelly and his first season with the Ducks.

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Pete Clifford will put on a Michigan State helmet for the final time when the Spartans face Boston College in the Champ Sports Bowl on Friday.

Clifford, a Salem resident, is a fifth-year senior who has started every game at left tackle this season. The media made Clifford a second team All-Big Ten selection.

Clifford, one of four Michigan State captains, made 21 consecutive starts as a center at Salem High School before spending a year at Bridgton (Maine) Academy, He also played basketball at Salem, and participated in the 2002 Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl. 

He has made 18 starts on the offensive line during his collegiate career, 15 at left tackle and three at left guard.

The Boston College roster is peppered with players who have New Hampshire ties. That group includes junior wide receiver David Currid (Bishop Brady/Chichester); freshman offensive tackle Richard Lapham (Souhegan/Amherst) and freshman offensive lineman Mark Spinney (Bishop Guertin/Westford, Mass.). Freshman wide receiver Warren Wilson, who lives in Lawrence, Mass., attended New Hampton Prep.

In addition, former UNH quarterback Ryan Day is BC's wide receivers coach.

Friday's game can be seen on ESPN (5 p.m.).

The Eastern Football League is looking for a New Hampshire team to join the league for the 2008 season.

The EFL is entering its 48th season and considered the oldest semi-pro football league in the country. The EFL has two divisions: AAA (60-player roster) and A (30-player roster). Games begin in July for AAA teams, and in August for A teams.

Anyone 18 or older is eligible to play in the EFL. For more information, contact Peter Vorias at (207) 229-9950.

Plymouth State University defensive coordinator Mike McLaughlin has been named assistant coach of the year in New England (Divisions II and III) by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston.

McLaughlin recently completed his fifth season with the PSU staff. He directed a unit that led the 16-team New England Football Conference in total defense (289.0 yards per game). The Panthers finished third in the NEFC in both rushing defense and scoring defense, and sixth in passing defense.

Bill McGovern, the linebackers coach at Boston College, will receive the award in the Bowl Championship Subdivision. Randy Edsall (Connecticut) and Skip Bandini (Curry) are the head coaches of the year.

McLaughlin will be recognized at the Gridiron Club's annual college football awards night Jan. 10. The event will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Mass.

About the Gridiron Club

Londonderry High School's Alex Theodhosi had one of the finest seasons ever produced by a New Hampshire high school running back last fall.

He set school records for yards rushing in a season and yards rushing in a game, and helped the Lancers earn the fourth seed for the Division I playoffs. He also became the first player in school history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.

Theodhosi's accomplishments were recognized during the season, but postseason awards are starting to pour in as well. 

Full story

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

While many of New Hampshire's high school athletes are now focused on winter sports like basketball and hockey, some are about to begin another football season.

The New England Indoor Football League will start playing regular-season games in January. The NEIFL featured a high school division for its first two seasons, but has added youth leagues this year.

The NEIFL uses an eight-on-eight format, and most of the rules are similar to those used by NHIAA high school football teams.

"We initially geared the league toward high school players," Salem Wolves coach John Morin explained. "Teams that play in warm weather have much longer seasons than we do and we thought this would help players work on their skills. Now it's a mixed bag of high school players and non-high school players."

The high school division has six teams: New Hampshire Gladiators, Haverhill (Mass.) Highlanders, Londonderry Titans, Manchester Mercenaries, the Salem Wolves and John Stark.

The cost to play depends on the number of players on a team's roster. No team can have more than 22 players.

"Basically it's between $170 and $260 per player," Morin said. "That includes equipment, uniform, practice time in an indoor facility, game time, officials and an EMT. There are six regular-season games and every team makes the playoffs. You have a minimum of seven games."

Games are played on Saturday nights at the Rising Stars facility in Bedford.

"It's a fast game and it's really about improving skills," Morin said. "These are kids who don't want to quit playing football."

Morin said there is still time to enter a team in the high school division for this season. Anyone interested in learning more about the NEIFL can contact Morin at 898-3396 or visit the league's web site: www.neifl.com.

The 2007 Mr. Football banquet, which was scheduled for Thursday night, was postponed because of bad weather. The banquet will be held next Thursday (6 p.m.) at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manchester.

The finalists for the award are Nashua South's Bill Ferriter. Londonderry's Alex Theodhosi, Exeter's Brett McAllister, Pinkerton Academy's Josh Lane and Pelham's Bruce Vieira.

Plymouth State running back Jeff Mack has been selected to the D3football.com All-East Region Team. He is one of 75 Division III players from the East Region to be named to the team by the region's sports information directors and the D3football.com staff.

Mack, a 5-foot-11, 208-pound senior who has one season of eligibility remaining, finished second in the New England Football Conference in rushing last season, when he gained 1.353 yards on 242 carries (5.6 yards per carry). He was second in league scoring with 14 touchdowns. Mack (right) was named to the NEFC weekly honor roll four times last season and became the ninth back in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

The 1,353 yards Mack rushed for last season is the third highest single-season total in the program's history. Joe Dudek, who rushed for 1,615 yards in 1985 and 1,378 yards in 1985, is the only Plymouth State back who has rushed for more yards in a single season.

Mack, a former standout at Milford High School, is sixth on Plymouth State's all-time rushing list with 2,165 yards on 426 carries (5.1 ypc). He has run for 23 TDs in his career.

Plymouth State finished the 2007 season with a 9-1 record, its first winning season since 2001. It was the most victories by a Plymouth State team since the 1995 Panthers also finished 9-1.

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Josh Lane, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound offensive/defensive tackle who recently completed his senior season at Pinkerton Academy, has reportedly accepted a full scholarship offer from the University of New Hampshire.

Lane chose UNH over a group of schools that included Maine and Northeastern. His brother Jason plays for Northeastern.

"I committed on Saturday, and I'm excited to go up to UNH and play football," Lane told the Lawrence (Mass.) Eagle-Tribune. "It's a good program and it's local. I can stay in New Hampshire and play football. (Staying close to home) was definitely a factor. All the coaches are good guys, and they were always active in recruiting me. It's where I wanted to go."

Lane is a three-time Division I All-State selection, and helped the Astros win their third consecutive state title last season.

"I think it's a perfect fit," Pinkerton coach Brian O' Reilly told the Eagle-Tribune. "I think from Josh's standpoint he gets to go to one of the top I-AA programs in the country. That's been proven over the last several years. And UNH is getting an outstanding lineman who's going to make an impact for them down the road. It's really a perfect fit for both sides."

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

According to a report in the Nashua Telegraph, Londonderry High School wide receiver Ryan Griffin has committed to play football at the University of Connecticut.

Griffin, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior, played at New Hampton Prep before transferring to Londonderry for his senior season. Griffin, who also plays basketball for the Lancers, committed shorty after UConn coaches attended a Londonderry basketball practice.

"I don't think they took him for a particular position," Londonderry boys basketball coach Jim Zorbas told the Telegraph. "They just took him as an athlete."

Griffin played several positions in Londonderry's single-wing offense. The Lancers earned the No. 4 seed for this year's Division I playoffs and lost to top-seeded Nashua South in the semifinals.

University of New Hampshire quarterback Ricky Santos was the only quarterback named to the American Football Coaches' Association FCS All-America Team, which was released Tuesday.

Santos, who won the 2006 Walter Payton Award, passed for 2,972 yards and 24 touchdowns during his senior season, which ended with a loss at top-seeded Northern Iowa in the FCS playoffs. Santos averaged 292.3 yards per game, which was seventh in the nation.

The AFCA has selected an All-America Team since 1945. All voting is done by college coaches.

Full team

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Londonderry High School will begin its search for a varsity football coach next month, according to Londonderry athletic director Mike Kobilarcsik.

Tom Sawyer, the only coach the Londonderry program has ever had, retired after the 2007 season. Sawyer's Londonderry teams were 182-90 and won six state championships (two in Division I and four in Division II) from 1980 to 2007.

"I know we're going to look at it at the end of January," Kobilarcsik said. "That's when they'll advertise it. Tom would like to promote a couple of his assistant coaches from within and have a co-head coach situation like Exeter had years ago (with Bill Ball and Dick Eustis). It all depends on what teaching positions are open. You'd love to have somebody in the building."

Kobilarcsik said there is a current New Hampshire head coach he'd like to see interview for the job, but he doesn't know if that coach has any interest in the position. Kobilarcsik said he isn't even sure how much he'll be involved in the decision to hire a new coach since he's retiring at the end of the school year.

"What input I'll have I don't know," he said. "At this point I don't even know who's going to take my job."  

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Alignment for the 2008 and 2009 seasons came closer to being finalized last week, when the Newmarket School Board approved a proposal to sponsor a cooperative team that would include players from the Epping and Newmarket school districts.

"It's still a little early, but it looks good," Epping coach Rich McFadden said. "The NHIAA has a cooperative committee that still has to approve it. It looks encouraging."

Epping has competed in Division V since it began fielding a varsity team in 2004, but NHIAA football will expand to six divisions starting next season. McFadden said a cooperative team between Epping and Newmarket will compete in Division V. Otherwise, the Blue Devils will be placed in Division VI.

Freemont residents, who used to attend Epping, are now being sent to Sanborn Regional High School. Epping dressed 21 players for its final game last season.

"There are 40 kids (from Newmarket) who have shown interest," McFadden said. "We won't get all 40, but we may get 20 or 25. We think we'll be pretty close to doubling our roster. It looks like Division V could be the division with 10 teams next season (five of the six divisions will have nine teams). It'll either be Division V or Division VI."

McFadden said the program will be funded by both schools and the team's booster club.

"I want to say it's a formality, but you never know," he said.

Thanks to everyone who contributed (financially and otherwise) to New Hampshire Football Report during the 2007 season. At this point donations are needed to keep the site up and running until the 2008 season arrives.

Planned coverage in the offseason includes stories on the New Hampshire Shrine coach and team, the Mr. Football award winner, NHIAA realignment, national signing day, any offseason coaching moves, spring football and New Hampshire stories related to the NFL Draft.

Also, NHFR will be seeking sponsors for the 2008 season to eliminate the need for donations. If you know of a business or organization that would be interested in promoting New Hampshire football through a sponsorship on this site, please send that information to rbrown@nhfootballreport.com. Sponsorships will be available for as little as $50 per season.

If you would like to contribute through a donation, checks can be made payable to Roger Brown, 20 Thornhill Road, Stratham, N.H., 03885. All donations will be used to maintain and improve the site.

Thanks for your support,
Roger

By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

The list of candidates for the WGAM 2007 Mr. Football Award was trimmed from 15 players to five Thursday. This year's winner will be one of the following players: Bill Ferriter (Nashua South), Josh Lane (Pinkerton Academy), Brett McAllister (Exeter), Alex Theodosi (Londonderry) or Bruce Vieira (Pelham).

Four of the five finalists are seniors. Vieira is a junior. McAllister, Lane and Vieira each led their team to a state championship last season. Pinkerton beat Nashua South for the Division I title; Exeter edged Bishop Guertin in the Division II championship game; and Pelham beat Gilford for the Division V championship.

The winner will be announced next Thursday at The Hilton Garden Inn in Manchester. Each finalist will be interviewed by WGAM before the winner is announced shortly after 6 p.m.

Voting for the award is conducted by selected media members.

(#1) EXETER 14, BISHOP GUERTIN 13
November 17

This contest had exactly what you want in a championship game: drama late in the fourth quarter. Bishop Guertin was in position to win its fourth consecutive Division II title after running back Mike Pettiglio scored on a 15-yard run that gave the Cardinals a 13-7 lead with 8:05 left in the game. The extra-point attempt was blocked, however, and that left the door open for the Blue Hawks. Exeter took over on its own 37-yard line and needed 13 plays to tie the game. Brett McAllister's second touchdown of the game came on a 3-yard run with 2:23 to play. Sean Coleman made the point-after kick that ended up being the winning margin. Exeter's scoring drive was aided by a pass interference penalty called on a fourth-and-nine play. The penalty gave the Blue Hawks a first down on BG's 23-yard line. BG began its final drive on its own 20-yard line. The drive ended when defensive end/linebacker Brad Kelly intercepted a Ryan Burgess pass with 1:32 remaining. Burgess opened the scoring with a 1-yard TD run on fourth down in the second quarter, but Exeter pulled even when McAllister caught a 26-yard TD pass from QB Andrew Kukesh with 39 seconds left in the first half. Exeter, which outgained BG 145-119 over the final two quarters, won its first state championship since 2003. It was BG's third loss since the start of the 2004 season, and all three losses came against Exeter. 

The following players have been selected as finalists for the WGAM Friday Night Lights Mr. Football 2007 Award:

Alex Theodosi, RB (Londonderry); Billy Ferriter, QB/DB (Nashua South); David Zocco, RB (Nashua South); Jon Leon Gosselin, RB/NG (Nashua North); Pete Mazolla, QB/DB (Pinkerton); Josh Lane, OL (Pinkerton); Sam Auffant, RB (Winnacunnet); Ryan Burgess, QB (Bishop Guertin); Brett McAllister, RB (Exeter); Gabe Bourgeois, RB (Exeter); Stephen Jellison, RB (Souhegan): Jeff Agnew, QB (Milford); Shawn Sweeney, HB (Plymouth); Christian Birt, RB (Laconia); Bruce Vieira, RB (Pelham).

That list will be narrowed to five players after a vote by the WGAM staff and selected media members. Those five players will be invited to the awards banquet, which will be held Dec. 13 (6 p.m.) at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manchester.

Past Mr. Football winners are Jeff Farrington (Souhegan); Mike Boyle (Plymouth), Dave Philistin (Manchester Central), John Shurgrue (Pinkerton Academy) and Mark Spinney (Bishop Guertin).

DIVISION I
OFFENSE

RB: Alex Theodhosi (Londonderry)
TE: Miles Davis (Manchester Central)
OL: Corey Lockley (Manchester Central)
TE: Eric Barcomb (Manchester Memorial)
OL: Kevin Mailloux (Manchester West)
K: Kameron Knowlton (Manchester West)
RB: John Leon Gosselin (Nashua North)
RB: Dave Zocco (Nashua South)
QB: Bill Ferriter (Nashua South)
OL: Josh Lane (Pinkerton)
OL: Mike Rottler (Pinkerton)
RB: Bobby Datillo (Pinkerton)
OL: John Morin (Salem)

DEFENSE

DT: Marshall Gleason (Concord)
DB: Kyle Brown (Concord)
DB: Ryan Griffin (Londonderry)
LB: Kyle Connors (Londonderry)
DT: Justin Demers (Pinkerton)
DE: Thomas Olivier (Pinkerton)
LB: Mike Crupi (Pinkerton)
DB: Peter Mazzola (Pinkerton)
P: Chris George (Pinkerton)
DT: Chris Tomlinson (Manchester Memorial)
DE: Pascal Leroy (Nashua South)
LB: Mike Lefavor (Nashua South)
LB: Jimmy Stewart (Salem)
DB: Billy Clement (Manchester West)

Those who have information on the Division I Second Team and Honorable Menion selections can forward that information to rbrown@nhfootball report.com.

Nashua South's Bill Ferriter has been selected as New Hampshire's Gatorade Player of the Year. Ferriter, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound quarterback/safety, becomes eligible for Gatorade's National Player of the Year, which will be announced later this month.

Ferriter led South to a 10-2 record last season. South lost to Pinkerton in the Division I championship game.

Ferriter completed 99 of his 159 passes and threw for 1,012 yards during his senior season. In addition, he ran for 1,269 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Defensively, Ferriter made 96 tackles and intercepted eight passes. He also averaged 36.7 yards per kick as the team's punter.