Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Winnacunnet High School quarterback/defensive back Ryan Cronan signed a letter of intent with Marist College on Wednesday. Marist is a Football Championship Subdivision school.

"They want him to play linebacker," Winnacunnet coach Ron Auffant said. "He could have played quarterback at Springfield College, but I guess the financial package and the chance to play I-AA swayed him."

Cronan helped Winnacunnet hand Exeter its only loss during the 2007 regular season. The Blue Hawks beat the Warriors in the Division II semifinals and went on to win the Division II title.

Auffant said St. Anselm and Merrimack College showed interest in Cronan.

"I think Marist is a good fit for him," Auffant said.

Jimmy Parady is in his 17th year as Marist's head coach. Parady's father, Ken, was the head football coach at Nashua High School and Laconia High School.

Auffant said his son, Sam, who was a tailback/defensive back for Winnacunnet last season, will spend a year at either Phillips Exeter or Phillips Andover before making his college choice.

Both Cronan and Auffant were selected to play in this year's Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.