NHIAA DIVISION IV PREVIEW

The League: Kingswood (947 enrollment), Kennett (945), Merrimack Valley (884), Laconia (822), Plymouth (817), Monadnock (787), Lebanon (761), Hanover (746) and Sanborn (743).

Defending Champion: Plymouth beat Laconia, 14-7, in last year's championship game.

Top Story Line: Can anyone derail Plymouth? The Bobcats own a 44-game winning streak and have won 10 titles in the last 12 years.

Player to Watch: Laconia linebacker Brian Bozek is one of the best defensive players in the state. He'll be the team's featured running back this season as well.

Game to Watch: Laconia at Plymouth (Oct. 10). A rematch of last year's championship game. Could the streak end here?

Noteworthy: Among teams that play 11-man football, Plymouth's 44-game winning streak is the third longest in the country. The nation's longest winning streak belongs to Smith Center (Kan.) High School, which has won its last 67 games. The Smith Center program is the subject of a recent book by New York Times staff writer Joe Drape: "Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen." Wayne Hills (N.J.) will begin the 2009 season with a 52-game winning streak. ... Plymouth has a lot of holes to fill, however. There were 16 seniors on last year's roster. "I never question that they'll be strong," Hanover coach Mike Ivanoski said. "I just don't know how strong. They have guys who just step into roles and become All-State players. It's truly a football dynasty." ... Laconia may be Plymouth's most dangerous opponent this season. The Sachems will rely on a defense led by linebackers Bozek, Zach Corbin and Doran Logsdon. Corbin, a senior, will be the team's starting quarterback ... Hanover will replace most of its offensive backfield, but does return junior quarterback Sam Carney. Carney passed for more than 1,000 yards last season. ... Kennett, Merrimack Valley and Lebanon will likely be in the playoff hunt. ... Sanborn (Michael Drouin) and Monadnock (Linwood Patnode) each have first-year coaches.

Coming Tuesday: Division III preview.

                                                                                                                 -- Roger Brown