Five items on the New Hampshire football landscape:

1. UNH vs. Northern Iowa

It was announced Sunday that Saturday's FCS quarterfinal matchup between the Wildcats and Panthers will begin at 7 p.m.( ET) at Northern Iowa's UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Saturday's contest will be the third game between the programs. The previous two games were also in the FCS playoffs: Northern Iowa won in 2005 (24-21) and 2007 (38-35).

2. New Hampshire's Mr. Football

It has to be Nashua South running back/defensive back David Zocco right? Hard to picture anyone else winning the award. Zocco scored five touchdowns in Nashua South's victory over Pinkerton Academy in this year's Division I championship game.

3. Chip Kelly

It appears that Kelly, a former Manchester Central quarterback, will interview for the head coaching position at Syracuse this week. Published reports said the interview is scheduled for Wednesday, although New Hampshire Football Report has been told it will take place Thursday.

Kelly, 44, served as the offensive coordinator at UNH before accepting his current position as the offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon.

4. Mike Hatt

Hatt, the head coach at Springfield High School, will guide Vermont in next year's Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl. Hatt's Springfield team scored 488 points in 11 games en route to the Division III championship last season. No other team in the state scored more than 381.

5. Offseason news

Readers are reminded that any offseason items of note can be submitted to New Hampshire Football Report using the following email address: rbrown@nhfootballreport.com. Many items, like coaching vacancies, fund-raisers, camps and clinics, will be placed on the Chalkboard, which can be accessed by clicking on the link at the top of this site. 

College: Kelly has Ducks firing on all cylinders >> The Oregonian

College: Bellotti confidence Ducks can keep Kelly >> Portland Tribune

College: So long, Salukis >> Concord Monitor

College: UNH advances, 29-20 >> Manchester Union Leader

College: Bishop's foot sinks Southern Illinois >> Foster's Daily Democrat

College: Third-quarter woes come back to bite SIU >> The Southern

College: Dawgs knocked down, out >> The Southern

College: Southern Illinois struggles on the ground >> Chicago Tribune

College: Defense, special teams carry UNH >> Portsmouth Herald

College: Bishop propels UNH >> ESPNU

The University of New Hampshire and the University of Northern Iowa football programs will meet in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the third time in the last four years when the teams tangle at Northern Iowa's UNI-Dome next Saturday.

Northern Iowa advanced by beating Maine, 40-15, in Saturday's first round. UNH beat Southern Illinois, 29-20, earlier in the day.

Northern Iowa beat UNH, 24-21, in Durham in 2005, and scored on a 24-yard TD pass from quarterback Eric Sanders to Montari Leonard with seven second to play to pull out a 38-35 victory in Iowa last season.

UNH grabbed the lead in last year's game when running back Chad Kackert scored on a 15-yard run with 1:16 to play, but Northern Iowa moved the ball 71 yards in 1:09 for the game-winning score.

Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Tom Bishop kicked five field goals and John Clements returned a blocked punt for a touchdown to help the University of New Hampshire post a 29-20 victory over Southern Illinois in the first round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs Saturday.

The Wildcats led 26-20 until Bishop kicked a 39-yard field goal with 2:13 to play.

UNH, which improved its record to 10-2, will face Northern Iowa in next Saturday's quarterfinals. UNH lost to Northern Iowa in last year's playoffs.

Southern Illinois, which entered Saturday's game with a seven-game winning streak, completed its season with a 9-3 record.

A victory next week would earn UNH its first trip to the NCAA semifinals.

Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

According to a report on Rivals.com, former University of New Hampshire assistant coach Chip Kelly will interview for the Syracuse head coaching job on Wednesday.

Kelly (pictured), who is the offensive coordinator at the University of Oregon, previously held the same position at the UNH. The Wildcats averaged more than 400 yards per game in seven of his eight seasons in Durham. 

Before being elevated to offensive coordinator, Kelly, 44, coached UNH's offensive line (1997-98) and running backs (1994-96). Kelly also served as the defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins in 1993. He broke into coaching at Columbia in 1990.

Syracuse is looking to replace Greg Robinison, who was told on Nov. 17 that he would not return next season.

Kelly, who was born in Dover and grew up in Manchester, played high school football at Manchester Central.

College: Kelly to Syracuse talk increases >> The Oregonian

College: UNH eager for playoff opener >> Portsmouth Herald

College: Salukis maintain playoff standard >> Chicago Tribune

College: Wildcats confident on the road >> Manchester Union Leader

College: NH football takes center stage in hub >> Manchester Union Leader

College; UNH's Young acts and looks the part >> Foster's Daily Democrat

College: Salukis' defense has its hands full >> The Southern

College: Boyle hopes fairly tale has happy ending >> Portsmouth Herald

College: Southern Illinois/UNH media notes >> SIU athletics

College: Defense has been key for UNH >> Manchester Union Leader

College: Tough and talented >> Laconia Citizen

High School: Dicecca boots South past North >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Souhegan caps 12-0 season >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Central comes back for seconds >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Central stuffs Memorial >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Memorial ends season as more than leftovers >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Turkey Bowl roundup >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Portsmouth offense shines >> Portsmouth Herald

High School: Spaulding tastes victory >> Foster's Daily Democrat

Manchester Central 47
Manchester Memorial 6

Portsmouth 35
Dover 28

Nashua South 17
Nashua North 16

Souhegan 28
Merrimack 21

Keene 36
Monadnock 0

Spaulding 30
Somersworth 20

The University of New Hampshire will be making its fifth consecutive apperance in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs when if faces ninth-ranked Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday.

Both teams enter the contest with 9-2 records. Tenth-ranked UNH qualified for the FCS playoffs for the seventh time. The Wildcats have a 3-6 record in postseason play.

Saturday's game can be heard on the UNH Sports Radio Network and will be the first meeting between the two schools.

UNH/Southern Illinois game notes

DIVISION I ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAM

First Team Offense

Quarterback: Colin Brown, Sr., Concord; Running Backs: Mike Cavanaugh, Jr., Manchester Central; David Zocco, Sr., Nashua South; Eric Guinto, Jr., Pinkerton; Wide Receivers: Brett Parenteau, Sr., Manchester Central; Jake Tremblay Sr., Manchester Central; Tight End: Cory Lavallee, Sr., Salem; Offensive Line: Seamus O'Neil, Sr., Manchester Central; Josh Rogolski, Sr., Nashua South; Alex Deyeso, Sr., Londonderry; Ryan Raymond, Sr., Pinkerton; Chris Trieb, Jr., Pinkerton; Dan Herrick, Sr., Concord; Kicker: Anthony Guidice, Jr., Nashua North; Punter: Beau Breton, Sr., Manchester West

First Team Defense

Defensive Ends: Mike Grillakis, Sr., Nashua South; Chris George, Sr., Pinkerton; Defensive Tackles: Ben Proulx, Sr., Pinkerton; Jon Lara, Sr., Manchester Central; Josh Nitso, Sr., Londonderry; Linebackers: Jharid Pratt, Sr., Salem; Sean Coughlin, Sr., Nashua North; Marty Voorhis, Jr., Nashua South; Mike Bradley Sr., Concord; Defensive Backs: Marc Peroni, Sr., Manchester Central, Adam Bardwell, Sr., Londonderry; Mark Maguire, Sr., Pinkerton; Colby Verge, Sr., Pinkerton.

Note; Please send All-State information to rbrown@nhfootballreport.com.

College: For Boyle. fleeting fame >> Concord Monitor

College: SIU opens with UNH >> St. Louis Post-Dispatch

College: Kackert and Boyle shine in spotlight >> Laconia Citizen

High School: It's Nashua's Turkey Bowl >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Sabers hope to avoid letdown >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: End arrives for seniors >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Portsmouth, Dover eager for tussle >> Portsmouth Herald

High School: Dover, Portsmouth ready to clash >> Foster's Daily Democrat

High School: A reunion for Hebert and Keays >> Foster's Daily Democrat

Thanksgiving Day games involving teams from New Hampshire:

Nashua South vs. Nashua North (10 a.m.)

Panthers are riding high after beating Pinkerton to win this year's Division I championship.

Souhegan at Merrimack (10 a.m.)

Souhegan leads the series 7-4 and will be attempting to complete an unbeaten season.

Dover at Portsmouth (10 a.m.)

These teams split their first two Thanksgving Day games. Each won on its home field.

Keene at Monadnock (10 a.m.)

Monadnock will be trying to prove that the gap between Division II and Division IV isn't as big as some think it is.

Somersworth at Spaulding (10 a.m.)

There's plenty of incentive for the Red Raiders. This will be Spaulding's last chance to avoid a winless season.

Manchester Central vs. Manchester Memorial (10:15 a.m.)

Central scored 41 first-half points en route to a 47-0 triumph over Memorial during the regular season.

High School: Memorial has plenty to prove >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Perfect ending for Franklin >> Laconia Citizen

College: Future looks bright for PSU >> Laconia Citizen

College: Turnovers are key for UNH defense >> Portsmouth Herald

College: SIU must conjury up crowd for playoff game >> TheSouthern.com

Voting has begun for the WGAM Friday Night Lights Mr. Football 2008 Award.

This year's winner will be announced at the Mr. Football banquet, which will be held Dec. 9 (6 p.m.) at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manchester. Voting by selected media members will produce five finalists, who will each be invited to this year's banquet. Past Mr. Football winners:

2002: Jeff Farrington, Souhegan
2003: Mike Boyle, Plymouth
2004: Dave Philistin, Central
2005: John Shurgrue, Pinkerton
2006: Mark Spinney, Bishop Guertin
2007: Alex Theodosi, Londonderry  

Anyone with information regarding this year's All-State teams who would like to see the teams published on New Hampshire Football Report can send that information to rbrown@nhfootballreport.com.

 

According to a story in Tuesday's Rutland (Vt.) Herald, Springfield High School coach Mike Hatt has been named Vermont's head coach for the 2009 Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.

The Herald story said Vermont Interscholastic Football League executive director Bob Hingston made the announcement at a meeting Monday at Hartford High School. Vermont will be trying to end an eight-game losing streak against New Hampshire in the annual all-star high school football game.

"We have a lot of skill kids this year who not only have great athleticism, but great size," Hatt told the Herald. "That excites me."

The New Hampshire head coach has not been announced.

Hatt's coaching staff will include Springfield assistant Rich Saypack, Bill Miller and Chris Sawyer from Brattleboro, and Bellows Falls head coach Bob Lockerby.

Hatt guided Springfield to the Division III championship this season.

Hatt graduated from Springfield in 1978 and was a three-sport athlete for the Cosmos. He then earned a physical education degree from Springfield (Mass.) College

Hatt has also coached varsity basketball at Stevens High School (Claremont) and at Springfield.

During his eight years as Springfield's football coach, the Cosmos are 39-37, including an 11-0 record in 2008.

The Vermont and New Hampshire Shrine teams will report to Kimball Union Academy in Meriden on July 24. Next year's game will be played Aug. 1 at Windsor High School.

The game is usually played at Dartmouth College, but that site will be unavailable in 2009 because of construction at Dartmouth's Memorial Field.

College: No TV for UNH >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: It's time for a Super Bowl Sunday >> Concord Monitor

College: High Five >> Foster's Daily Democrat

College: Wildcats take road trip in stride >> Foster's Daily Democrat

College: Despite loss to UNH, Maine earns berth >> Portsmouth Herald

The New England Football Conference announced its 2008 All-Star team Monday, and 10 Plymouth State University players were among those named Boyd Division All-Stars. The teams are voted on by the league's head coaches.

Eight Panthers were selected to the Boyd Division First Team, four on offense and four on defense, and two other defensive players were named to the Second Team. Four of the selections are repeat honorees from last season. They were all key players in Plymouth State's run to the NEFC championship and berth in the NCAA playoffs.

The offensive players named First Team All-Stars include senior running back Jeff Mack (Milford), senior tight end Tim Nicholson, senior offensive lineman Joe Duval (Dover) and junior offensive lineman Zac Duval (Dover). Mack received the honor for the second straight season, while the others are all first-time picks.

The four defensive players selected to the First Team are senior defensive lineman Justin Jarvis (Surry), junior defensive lineman Jim Sestito, senior linebacker Brian Keenan (Hampstead) and sophomore defensive back Kevin Whalen. Jarvis is a three-time All-Conference selection, moving up to the First Team after two years on the Second Team. Whalen was on the Second Team last year, and the other two are first time choices.

PSU's Second Team selections are first-time honorees in senior defensive lineman Ryan Harrington (Hampton) and sophomore defensive back Zach Parsons.

Mack completed an outstanding season, rushing for a school-record 1,779 yards and 20 touchdowns. He ran for more than 200 yards four times, and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rushing. He carried the load for the Panthers, who ran the ball nearly 90 percent of the time.

PSU had a powerful offensive line opening holes for Mack, led by the Duval brothers. Joe is a four-year starter who spent time at both guard positions as well as center, while Zac started every game at right tackle. Nicholson, who shared co-captain duties with Mack, was a strong blocking tight end, moving back to the offense this season after a year at linebacker last season.

The Panthers had the top defense in the NEFC this season, and they were rewarded with six all-conference selections.  Sestito, Jarvis, and Harrington gave PSU anchors on the interior line, Sestito with 41 tackles, including a team-high 8.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, Jarvis with 46 tackles, including seven for lost yardage, and Harrington with 29 tackles, including three for losses and one sack.

Keenan backboned a solid linebacking unit, leading the team in tackles with 58, while also collecting an interception and a forced fumble. Whalen had three interceptions and eight pass break-ups and Parsons recorded four interceptions and four break-ups to lead the Panther defensive backs.

Plymouth State won nine games in a row this year, including the NEFC championship game, before losing to SUNY Cortland last Saturday, 31-14, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, finishing the season with a 10-2 overall record.

For the third time in four weeks, Dartmouth cornerback and kick returner Shawn Abuhoff has been selected as the Ivy League Rookie of the Week.

The Big Green's top cover man on defense, Abuhoff recorded a career-high 10 tackles, three of which were solo, while helping hold Princeton to 88 passing yards in Dartmouth's 28-10 road loss to the Tigers. He also returned a pair of kickoffs 43 yards and brought back three punts for 10 more.

Two other Big Green players were recognized on the Ivy Honor Roll for their efforts versus Princeton: senior linebacker Joe Battaglia finished his career with a career-best 12 tackles, five solo, to lead the Dartmouth defense; and junior Peter Pidermann returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and contributed five tackles from his free safety position.

The Colonial Athletic Association announced its all-conference award winners and various players of the year on Monday and the University of New Hampshire saw nine different players earn accolades, including Brian McNally, who received CAA Defensive Rookie Of The Year honors.

McNally, a redshirt freshman defensive end, started every game for the Wildcats and was the team's ninth leading tackler on the season. He also recorded a team-high seven tackles for loss, collected a team-best 2.5 sacks, recovered a fumble and forced a fumble.

The Wildcats had two players named first-team all-conference on the offensive side of the football in senior wide receiver Mike Boyle (Plymouth) and junior tight end Scott Sicko.

Boyle leads the team with 10 touchdown receptions and needs 74 more receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark in receiving. He is presently ranked second in the CAA in receiving yards and third in receptions, averaging 5.1 per contest. Boyle had two key touchdowns in UNH's win at Maine this past weekend, including the game-winner.

Sicko, who was named a preseason All-American by several media outlets, has 41 catches for 506 yards and seven touchdowns this season..

Six different players were also named second-team all-conference, two on offense and four on defense.

Sophomore quarterback R.J. Toman has passed for 27 touchdowns and run for four this season. He is presently ranked No. 4 in the nation in passing efficiency (167.69) and 17th in the country in total offense (253.08 ypg.).

Senior Josh Droesch, who is 6-foot-6 and weighs 290 pounds, has the size and power to play at the next level. He has excelled at protecting the quarterback this season and is one of the main reasons why UNH is second in the CAA in scoring offense (36.4 ppg.) and first in total offense (414.9 ypg.).

Senior linebacker Matt Parent ranks second on the squad in tackles (28-57-85). He is third all-time at UNH in total tackles with 344. Parent also has posted 6.5 tackles for a loss this season and two sacks.

John Clements, a defensive back, is third on the team in tackles (41-31-72). He also recorded two interceptions for 47 yards and recovered two fumbles. He returned one interception for a touchdown.

Also named to the second team was sophomore cornerback Dino Vasso, who is first on the team in tackles (57-29-86) and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with four.

Senior Tom Bishop was named second-team punter. Bishop is averaging 41.1 yards per punt this season and has put 17 punts inside the 20. He also has booted seven punts over 50 yards in 2008 with a long of 56 yards.

The Bedford Jaguars junior high school varsity team defeated the Londonderry Wildcats, 37-0, earlier this month and will represent New Hampshire in the American Youth Football national championships. This year's event will be held in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 6-13.

Bedford defeated Pembroke, 30-0, on Nov. 8 to win the Granite State Football League championship.

College: Murphy collects postseason honor >> D2football.com

College: SIU will face New Hampshire >> TheSouthern.com

College: UNH, Maine earn playoff berths >> Boston Herald

College: UNH takes playoff act on road >> Manchester Union Leader

College: On the road for Wildcats >> Concord Monitor

College: UNH draws Southern Illinois >> Foster's Daily Democrat

College: UNH earns playoff berth >> Portsmouth Herald

College: NCAA FCS playoff bracket >> NCAA.com

The field of 16 teams competing for the 2008 NCAA Division I Football Championship was announced by the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee on Sunday night.

James Madison University (10-1) tops the bracket as the top seed after capturing the automatic qualifying berth from the Colonial Athletic Association. The Dukes, who won the 2004 national championship, are making their ninth tournament appearance.  

Second-seeded Appalachian State University (10-2), the three-time defending Football Championship Subdivision national champion, is making its 16th appearance. The Mountaineers captured the Southern Conference automatic berth.

The University of Northern Iowa (10-2), which is making its 14th tournament appearance, is the number-three seed. The Panthers were the national runners-up to Appalachian State in 2005.

Rounding out this year's seeded teams is the University of Montana (11-1) with the number- four seed. The Grizzlies, who won the 1995 and 2001 national championship, are making their 16th straight appearance and 19th overall.

Other first-round hosts include Cal Poly (8-2), University of Richmond (9-3), Missouri Valley Football Conference automatic qualifier Southern Illinois University (9-2), and Villanova University (9-2).

Other automatic qualifiers in the tournament include 2003 national runners-up Colgate University (9-2), which earned the automatic bid from the Patriot League. Eastern Kentucky University (8-3) was the automatic qualifier from the Ohio Valley Conference, while South Carolina State University (10-2) earned the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's automatic bid. Texas State University (8-4) was the automatic qualifier from the Southland Conference and Weber State University (9-3) was the automatic qualifier from the Big Sky Conference.

Other teams in the field are University of Maine (8-4), University of New Hampshire (9-2), Richmond University (9-3) and Wofford College (9-2).

Eight conferences received automatic-qualifying berths: the Big Sky Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Missouri Valley Football Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Patriot League, Southern Conference and Southland Conference.

November 29 at Harrisburg, Virginia
Wofford (9-2) at No. 1 James Madison (10-1)

November 29 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Colgate (9-2) at Villanova (9-2)

November 29 at Missoula, Montana
Texas St. (8-4) at No. 4 Montana (11-1)

November 29 at San Luis Obispo, California
Weber St. (9-3) at Cal Poly (8-2)

November 29 at Boone, North Carolina
South Carolina St. (10-2) at No. 2 Appalachian St. (10-2)

November 29 at Richmond, Virginia
Eastern Ky. (8-3) at Richmond (9-3)

November 29 at Cedar Falls, Iowa
Maine (8-4) at No. 3 UNI (10-2)

November 29 at Carbondale, Illinois
New Hampshire (9-2) at Southern Ill. (9-2)

College: UNH outlasts Maine >> Portsmouth Herald

College: Plymouth State falls in NCAA playoffs >> PSU athletics

College: Panthers lose to Cortland >> Laconia Citizen

College: Dartmouth falls in final game >> Dartmouth athletics

College: A big win and UNH is in >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Farkas thrives as Pinkerton's executioner >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Panthers claw out OT win >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Cards defense locks up championship >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Campbell's title hopes dashed >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Exeter suffers 14-7 loss >> Portsmouth Herald

High School: South tops Pinkerton >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: BG holds off Exeter >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Pelham writes perfect ending >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Defense carries Franklin >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Eight is enough >> Concord Monitor

High School: Defense carries Franklin >> Laconia Citizen

High School: Pelham retains state title >> Lawrence Eagle-Tribune

DIVISION I

Nashua South 33
Pinkerton 32

DIVISION II

Bishop Guertin 14
Exeter 7

DIVISION V

Pelham 22
St. Thomas 0

DIVISION VI

Franklin 8
Campbell 0

High School: South expects unexpected at Pinkerton >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: BG, Exeter add chapter to rivalry >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Campbell hoping it can avoid turnovers >> Nashua Telegraph

High School: Who wants it more? >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Tornadoes warned >> Concord Monitor

High School: Blue Hawks hoping to peak at best time >> Portsmouth Herald

High School: St. Thomas aiming for upset >> Portsmouth Herald

Editor's Note: Ben Stallman is a senior at Souhegan High School and a wide receiver/defensive back on the SHS football team that beat Portsmouth, 28-14, in this year's Division III championship game. He entered the 2008 season with 60 career receptions, which is a school record. He also set the school record for receptions in a season when he caught 35 passes last year. Ben was named to the Division III All-State First Team following the 2007 season. His Varsity Insider column appeared each week throughout the season.

After slowly walking off the "Land of Lenahan" field in the Division III state championship game against Plymouth last year, the Souhegan players had a sour taste in their mouth. It was the bitter taste of defeat. The good thing about this bad aftertaste, however, was that it made the returning Sabers players even hungrier for a title. They would get that chance again facing the Portsmouth Clippers in this year's Division III championship game.

As the light faded in "The Jungle" stadium at Souhegan High School, all eyes were on the scoreboard. The seconds slowly ticked off the clock, Souhegan inching closer and closer to an undefeated championship season.  Every fan turned their attention almost away from the field of play and towards the scoreboard, anxiously awaiting the final buzzer. As the rain poured steadily down on the field, forming large puddles and thick mud, the Souhegan Sabers finally tasted that ever-elusive taste of success. Taking the final knee, the starters on the field watched those last seconds disappear and embraced their teammates, knowing it had all come to a perfect end.

The atmosphere of the postgame festivities was electric, players bawling their eyes out left and right, knowing all their blood, sweat, and tears given throughout the season, the double sessions in August, had not gone to waste.  Their hurdles had brought them to their ultimate success. First, the Sabers applauded the Clippers as they received the runner-up trophy. Portsmouth fought to the end with just as much hunger as the Sabers had, and had been gracious in defeat. Then came the moment for all of the players, from freshmen up to varsity, that had been long awaited: The championship trophy was in their grasp, and the weight and pressure of being the favorite and undefeated lifted off their shoulders. Feeling the cold metal of the plaque was an unforgettable experience, and the players and coaches will keep it with them the rest of their lives.

Even an hour after the game, no player wanted to leave the field despite mud and rain, with a fear that maybe the euphoria wouldn't last if they left. However, after many pictures, tears, and hugs, the players and coaches drove to the center of Amherst, where the captains hoisted up the State Champion flag high and proudly, many starting to understand what they had just witnessed, and been a part of. Then the crowd that had gathered went silent, with a few families taking pictures, the rest gazing up, completely appreciating what had just occurring during the day. They never wanted to forget the moment where the clock went from one second left to zero, the taste of victory overcoming them.

College: UNH, Maine in the running for FCS playoff spots >> Nashua Telegraph

College: A lot at stake in UNH/Maine matchup >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Pinkerton/Nashua South have promises to keep >> Manchester Union Leader

High School: Tornadoes aim for title >> Laconia Citizen

College: Hard work paying off for Plymouth State >> Laconia Citizen

College: UNH, Maine ready to lay it on the line >> Laconia Citizen

High School: Generating offense is Exeter's top concern >> Portsmouth Herald

High School: St. Thomas has chance for payback >> Portsmouth Herald

College: Wildcat snub motivates UMaine senior >> Bangor Daily News

Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

If you're a media member, obtaining a program at a playoff football game without shelling out five bucks can be like trying to wrestle a chicken leg away from a crocodile. Other than that, the NHIAA and the host school usually do a fine job of putting on a top-notch event.
However, someone once said that if you're not moving forward people are gaining on you. With that thought in mind, how can we improve our state championship football games here in New Hampshire?

Here are two ways:

•Reduce the number of state championships from six to three. This proposal has been put forth here before. Keep the six-division format (sort the teams by enrollment, location or even strength of program) and award six league championships. Then play three state championship games the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
You may have to eliminate a bye week or a non-league game to make the schedule work, but do we really need to see games like Concord vs. Spaulding and Portsmouth vs. Kingswood?

The divisions would be renamed: IA (Division I), IB (Division II), 2A (Division III), 2B (Division IV), 3A (Division V) and 3B (Division VI). Two Division I teams would meet for a state title, as would two teams from Division 2 and two from Division 3.

This would enhance the experience for the athletes and put more meaning into each state championship. New Hampshire isn't big enough for six state champions.

It would also eliminate all the yapping about the need for Plymouth, Souhegan, Exeter and BG to move up a division.

•Play each of the three state championship games at one site.

Finding a suitable location is currently a problem, since you wouldn't want a third-seeded Nashua team playing a top-seeded Pinkerton team for a title in Nashua. Nor would you want a top-seeded Bishop Guertin team traveling to Eustis Field to play a second-seeded Exeter team. Similar situations could arise in other divisions as well. The NHIAA football committee ran into this problem last season.

The solution is to play the championship games at the University of New Hampshire once (if?) Cowell Stadium is upgraded and lights are added. The day we have three state championship games in Durham is the day New Hampshire high school football takes a huge step forward.

The Picks ...

DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 2 Nashua South vs. No. 1 Pinkerton Academy

•When and where: Saturday (noon) at Pinkerton Academy in Derry.
•Team records: Nashua South is 8-3 overall, 8-1 in Division I. Pinkerton is 8-3 overall, 8-1 in Division I.
•Regular-season result: Pinkerton won, 10-0, in Derry.
•Noteworthy: This is a rematch of last year's Division I title game, which Pinkerton won in Nashua 14-2. The Astros are attempting to win their fourth consecutive state title. ... This is the third time the Astros and Purple Panthers have faced each other in a state championship game. Pinkerton beat Nashua 46-6 to win the Class L title in 1991. ... Pinkerton reached the championship game by beating fourth-seeded Londonderry, 19-15, in the semifinals. The Astros trailed 9-0 at halftime and 15-6 with 7:19 to play, but scored on an 84-yard screen pass from quarterback Ryan Simpson to Matt Mangano and then took the lead on Colby Verge's 40-yard touchdown run - his second TD run in the game - with 44 seconds to play. ... Nashua South intercepted four passes in its 24-9 triumph over third-seeded Manchester Central in the semifinals. The Panthers scored on a 24-yard pass from quarterback Keith Farkas to Nick Haskell, a 10-yard run by running back David Zocco, a 2-yard run by Cory Boudreau and Cameron DiCecca's 26-yard field goal. Zocco ran for 162 yards in that game and will enter Saturday's contest with 1,417 yards on the ground this season. ... Pinkerton coach Brian O'Reilly has a 9-1 record in championship games. ... Pinkerton fullback/linebacker Chris George ran for 100 yards on 16 carries when Pinkerton beat Nashua South during the regular season. He scored the game's only touchdown on a 6-yard run with 8:11 to play, and made a team-high eight tackles. The Astros also received a 36-yard field goal from Shawn Clukey. Pinkerton held Zocco to 46 yards on 15 carries. The Astros had the ball for nearly 34 minutes. ... Farkas has completed 95-of-181 passes for 1,164 yards this season. ... The Panthers haven't won a state championship since 1997, when they beat Londonderry 20-0. That was before Nashua had two public high schools. ... This game will be televised live by CN8.

Plymouth State University will make its fourth appearance in the NCAA Division III Football Championship Tournament on Saturday when the Panthers visit the State University of New York College at Cortland for a first-round game.

The Panthers (10-1) and Red Dragons (9-1) will kick off at noon at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex. Both teams earned automatic bids in the NCAA Tournament, Plymouth State by winning the New England Football Conference championship and Cortland State by capturing the New Jersey Athletic Conference title. PSU went 7-0 in the NEFC Boyd Division and knocked off Bogan Division winner Maine Maritime in the conference championship game last Saturday, 46-16, while Cortland posted a perfect 9-0 mark in the NJAC to claim the title before losing to rival Ithaca College in a non-conference game last Saturday, 35-13.

Plymouth State is riding a nine-game winning streak, capped off by last Saturday's NEFC victory over Maine Maritime. Also in the streak was a 28-17 victory over Curry College on Oct. 25, snapping the Colonels' 37-game NEFC unbeaten streak and ending Curry's five-year reign atop the NEFC. PSU captured its first NEFC championship since winning or sharing nine NEFC titles in 10 years from 1981-90, including eight straight from 1981-88.  PSU also won Freedom Football Conference championships in 1994, 1995 and 2001. The Panthers are ranked #2 in New England behind Trinity College, and have been receiving votes in both Division III national polls.

Led by the top defense in the league, PSU has allowed 15 points per game and 268 yards per outing, including an average of 115 yards rushing. The Panther offense runs the ball almost 90 percent of the time and features a 1,500-yard running back and a veteran offensive line. The Panthers gain almost 300 of their 356 yards per game on the ground, where they have scored 45 of their 49 touchdowns.

Saturday will be the second meeting in football between Plymouth State and Cortland State. The Red Dragons defeated the Panthers, 21-6, in the 1991 ECAC Division III Northwest Championship game at Cortland.

GAME #12:  NCAA Division III Championships - First Round Game

                     Plymouth State (N.H.) (10-1, 7-0 NEFC) at Cortland State (N.Y.) (9-1, 9-0 NJAC)

                     Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, 12:00 p.m., SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex, Cortland, N.Y. 

High School: They're quietly leading Campbell >> Nashua Telegraph

College: Unrivaled anticipation >> Concord Monitor

College: Duvals key to Plymouth State's success >> Laconia Citizen

College: McDonnell says UNH belongs in playoffs >> Portsmouth Herald

Colllege: Maine has chance for special win >> Portland Press Herald

High School: St. Thomas defense hopes to set tone >> Foster's Daily Democrat

DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 3 Exeter vs. No. 1 Bishop Guertin

•When and where: Saturday (1 p.m.) at Nashua's Stellos Stadium.
•Team records: Exeter is 8-3 overall, 7-2 in Division II. BG is 9-2 overall, 8-1 in Division II.
•Regular-season result: BG won, 45-9, in Exeter.
•Noteworthy: This is the sixth time Exeter coach Bill Ball and BG coach Tony Johnson have opposed each other in the Division II championship game. Exeter won in 1997, 1998 and 2007. BG prevailed in 2005 and 2006. BG also beat Exeter in the 1973 Division II championship game (13-8). ... At least one of these teams has reached the championship game in each of the last 12 seasons. ... Top-seeded BG advanced by beating fourth-seeded Keene, 18-8, in the semifinals. BG trailed 8-6 in the fourth quarter, but scored 12 points in the final six minutes. ... Exeter reached the championship game with a 7-6 victory over second-seeded Timberlane. The Blue Hawks trailed 6-0 until quarterback Andrew Kukesh hooked up with Nick Provost for a 42-yard touchdown pass with 6:25 remaining in the first half. James Holler's point-after kick proved to be the difference. ... The 45 points BG scored against Exeter earlier this season were the most points an Exeter team has allowed in Bill Ball's 16 seasons as the program's head coach. The Cardinals outscored the Blue Hawks 21-0 in the second half of that game. ... BG has a 104-39 record since Johnson became the program's head coach in 1994. Johnson, who played on the 1975 BG team that won the Division II title, played college football at the University of Rhode Island. He was an assistant coach at Plymouth State and UNH before taking over at BG. ... Exeter fullback Zach Kelleher has gained a team-high 683 yards on 113 carries this season, but halfback Robbie Kisiel has rushed for a team-high eight touchdowns. Kukesh has completed 32-of-82 passes for 477 yards and seven touchdowns. He's been intercepted six times.

Coming Friday: Division I capsule preview

Editor's Note: Officially Speaking with Steve Hall is a feature that allows readers to ask questions about high school football rules, and runs weekly throughout the season. Hall has been a New Hampshire high school official since 1989 and has officiated nearly 300 NHIAA regular-season varsity games. He has also officiated more than 25 playoff games, and worked his 11th championship game last year (Pinkerton at Nashua South). Hall, who is a member of the New Hampshire Football Officials' Association Board of Directors, has been the NHFOA rules interpreter since 2001, and is also the New Hampshire representative on the National Federation of High Schools rules committee. Questions, which may be edited for clarity, can be submitted to rbrown@nhfootballreport.com. Please include your hometown.

Question: I have never seen this happen and hope I never will, but what would the ruling be on this play? There's an interception near the defensive team's goal line and the player who intercepted the pass has a clear path to the end zone. There's no one around him, so he stops at the opposing team's 40-yard line and makes a taunting gesture to the other team. He then continues to the end zone. Touchdown?

-- Amherst

DIVISION V CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 3 St. Thomas vs. No. 1 Pelham

•When and where: Saturday (1 p.m.) in Pelham.
•Team records: St. Thomas is 8-2 overall, 7-2 in Division V. Pelham is 10-0 overall, 9-0 in Division V.
•Regular-season result: Pelham won, 17-3, in Dover.
•Noteworthy: This matchup will feature two of the best running backs in the division: Pelham's Bruce Vieira and St. Thomas' Zach Merrigan. ... Vieira rushed for 99 yards and scored two touchdowns in Pelham's 28-6 victory over fourth-seeded Kearsarge in Saturday's Division V semifinals. He also made seven tackles in that contest. ... St. Thomas reached the championship game by beating second-seeded Trinity, 21-15, in the semifinals. The Saints scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in that victory. St. Thomas quarterback Jack MacNevin completed 8-of-15 passes for 110 yards against Trinity. It was the 100th victory for St. Thomas since Rod Wotton became the program's head coach in 1996. Wotton, the winningest coach in New England high school football history, will enter the championship game with a 331-9-3 record, and will be trying to collect his 22nd state championship. Wotton guided St. Thomas to the Division IV championship in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2006. He also won 17 state title when he was the head coach at Marshwood High School in Elitot, Maine. ... Pelham, which beat Gilford in last year's Division V championship game, will enter this contest with a 21-game winning streak. ... St. Thomas has a 10-1 edge in the all-time series against Pelham. The Pythons collected their only victory against the Saints earlier this season. St. Thomas quarterback Jack MacNevin did not play in that game because of an ankle injury. It was a 3-3 contest until Pelham quarterback Joe DeAngelo scored on a 32-yard run with 4:02 to play. The TD came one play after an Andrew Keegan interception. Vieira added a 16-yard touchdown run with 2:46 to play. He finished the game with 99 yards rushing on 25 carries. ... Merrigan rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries against Pelham, but was held to 2 yards on four carries in the second half.

Coming Thursday: Division II capsule preview