Five topics on the New Hampshire football landscape:

1. Night playoff games

This season the Division III, Division IV and Division V semifinals will be played on Nov. 8. The championship games for those three divisions will be held Nov. 15.

The semifinals in Division I, Division II and Division VI will also be played Nov. 15. The championship games for those three divisions will be played Nov. 22.

With the exception of the Division I championship game, which is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m., all semifinal and championship games will begin at 1 p.m. According to the NHIAA's policies and procedures manual, however, "games may start at a later time with the mutual consent of both schools."

Here's hoping that at least one of those playoff games is played at night, or at a time that will allow fans to see more than one game on the same day. Playing conditions have to be a consideration, and a field with lights would be required, but there are an awful lot of people who would travel and pay to see a football doubleheader. Night playoff games are held each year in Maine and Massachusetts.

2. The Shrine Game

Perhaps people overreacted to New Hampshire's 42-0 victory in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl earlier this month, but there are those wondering what, if anything, can be done to make the game more competitive. New Hampshire, which has restrictions that Vermont does not regarding roster selection, has a 40-13-2 advantage in the series and Vermont hasn't won the game since 2000.

One change that should be made is reducing each quarter from 15 to 12 minutes. At the very least this would help offset New Hampshire's superior depth and prevent 21-7 games from turning into 35-7 blowouts.

Also, the University of New Hampshire should be considered as the site for next year's game while improvements are made to Dartmouth's Memorial Field. Although Durham isn't an ideal location for Vermont fans, the all-star hockey and basketball games between the two states are both played at the University of Vermont. UNH would be a one-year site that would be preferable to a high school or prep school field. An event like the Shrine Game should be played in the best facility that's available. 

3. Sean Jellison

UNH running back Sean Jellison suffered a shoulder injury during spring practice. Here's what Jellison, who was named New Hampshire's Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season at Souhegan High School, had to say when asked about his health at the team's media day last week:

"I rehabbed (the shoulder) over the summer and I feel I'm at 100 percent right now. I'm practicing at full speed all the time and I hope it stays that way. I'm just hoping to get on the field. I'm not going to set any expectations for myself. I just want to prove myself in camp."

4. Putting the NH in UNH

The UNH roster includes 12 players who reside in New Hampshire: Jellison (Amherst), defensive back Andre Garron (Bedford/Manchester West H.S.), defensive back Shawn MacNevin (Strafford/Spaulding H.S.), defensive back Rod Walker (Portsmouth/Portsmouth H.S.), defensive back Bryan Mayhew (Plymouth/Plymouth Regional), offensive/defensive lineman Josh Lane (Derry/Pinkerton Academy), offensive lineman Will Moher (Bedford/Manchester West H.S.), offensive lineman Mike Courturier (Dover/Dover H.S.), wide receiver Mike Boyle (Plymouth/Plymouth Regional), defensive tackle Steve Young (Rochester/Spaulding H.S.), defensive end Lance Mailloux (Bedford/Manchester West H.S.) and punter Ryan Glasgow (Bedford/Manchester West H.S.).

5. Football on the radio

WGAM's seventh season of "Friday Night Lights -- New Hampshire High School Football in Action" will begin with a 90-minute preview show on Sept. 5 (6-7:30 p.m.). WGAM will also air a one-hour scoreboard show following the Red Sox game that night.

WGAM (AM-900 Nashua and AM-1250 Manchester) will also have a two-hour show from 8-10 a.m. each Saturday throughout the high school season. Both shows will have interviews with players, coaches and phone calls from high school football fans.

WGAM still has openings for correspondents, who will be asked to provide live updates from high school games. Those interested can can send an email to wgamradio.com.